The Runaways didn't compromise a bit on their outstanding sophomore effort,
Queens of Noise. Melodic yet tough and aggressive, this is hard rock that pulls no punches either musically or lyrically. Classics like "Neon Angels (On the Road to Ruin)," "Take It or Leave It," and "I Love Playing with Fire" wouldn't have been shocking coming from
Aerosmith or
Kiss, but suburban adolescent girls singing openly and honestly about casual sex, intoxication, and wild all-night parties was certainly radical for 1977.
Joan Jett and
Cherie Currie articulated the thoughts and feelings of the "bad girls"
Kiss and countless others were describing, and they didn't hesitate to say that yes, women fantasized about sex. "Johnny Guitar" is a fine vehicle for guitarist/singer
Lita Ford, who had solid chops before she was old enough to vote.
Queens of Noise would be
Currie's last album with the groundbreaking band. ~ Alex Henderson