“Walking through a “Wicked Wonderland” with Lita Ford.” – CD Review.

By Bob Zerull

4 Stars:

It’s been fifteen years since Lita Ford packed up and left the Heavy Metal world to go live with her husband Jim Gillette (from the band Nitro) on a Caribbean Island where they raised their two children. Now that fifteen years has passed, the 51-year-old Lita Ford has thrown her guitar back in the ring with a much heavier, harder and sexier sound with “Wicked Wonderland.”



One of the first lyrics on the new album from the song “Crave” is “the bitch is back.” Is she ever? Her new sound would make Rob Zombie proud. It’s heavy with a nice groove to it. According to Ford’s website, (http://litaxx.tv/lita/bi/) as she’s gotten older, she’s only gotten freakier. This album is the heaviest thing she’s done. Besides the heavy there is also a bluesy sound with some great slide guitar specifically on the song, “Scream.”

Lita is currently out on the road with Queensryche on their “American Soldier Tour.” “Wicked Wonderland” definitely sounds like the type of album that will translate well live. I hope she makes it to my neck of the woods soon. When Lita’s not out on the road or in the studio working on her record, she’s lending her voice to video game “Brutal Legend” along with Jack Black, Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Halford.



But let’s get back to “Wicked Wonderland.”

What’s bad: Growing up with Nirvana and Pearl Jam, I find the lyrics on the new album kind of cheesy almost as if she’s trying too hard. Her website says the lyrics are very real and maybe they translate better live than they do on the album. Her sound is from a different era that I’m not as familiar with, so maybe it’s just me.

What’s good: Musically, the album is as good as any metal album out there right now. The drumming is especially fantastic, but the guitar playing is not too shabby. I also like the two singer idea. It’s very Lacuna Coil-ish and I like it. Lita’s hardcore fans have been waiting for fifteen years for a new album and they are certainly going to love “Wicked Wonderland.”

Check out a sample of each song at Lita Ford’s Amazon page at the link below.



BYLINE:

Bob Zerull is a frequent movie and concert goer who talks about his ventures to arenas and theaters more than any person should be allowed to do. Now, he puts them down on paper. Visit: www.cadaverchristmas.com. Email Bob at bob@zoiksonline.com.