The marketing for Girls Got Rhythm might make one think that the performers on the album are more of the novelty types than real musicians, but the opening licks of "Thunderstruck" makes it quite clear that is not the case. These "girls" have more than just rhythm — they know how to rock.
Assembled on this album are some of the best recordings done by some of the best all-female rock tribute bands. There are a few AC/DC groups (Thunderstruck, Hell's Belles, and Whole Lotta Roses), and a couple of Kiss bands (Black Diamond and Kissexy), and the rest of the album is made up of a wide range of classic rock tribute bands from Cheap Chick (Cheap Trick) to Zepparella (Led Zepplin).
Tribute bands are not the same thing as cover bands. There are a lot of bands that play an occasional cover tune or make up their entire live performance with songs originally performed by other people. Tribute bands focus on one specific band and seek to emulate them in every way, from each note and arrangement of the music to the clothing they wear. With that in mind, it is no surprise that this album rocks in the way one might expect from a compilation of classic rock tunes.
Girls Got Rhythm is a mixed bag of rock styles, and it feels a bit odd to go from the lush sounds of Zepparella's "The Lemon Song" to Kissexy's hormone-driven power-rock "Lick It Up". There was some effort in making the compilation flow from one song/style to the next, but it is still a little rough in places. Essentially, this CD is an assortment of all-female tribute bands, and the ultimate goal is to introduce the listener to what is out there. In that, it succeeds quite well.
Article comments
1 - Bryan
What!? No Lez Zeppelin!?
2 - Anna Creech
Nope, no Lez Zepplin. Are they another band I should check out?