Betsy - Betsy (1988)
Members:
Betsy 'Bitch' Weiss - lead vocals
David Carruth - guitar
Mark Anthony Webb - bass
Robby Settles - drums
Betsy is a studio album by Betsy Weiss and members of L.A. heavy metal band Bitch, released in 1988 on Metal Blade Records. Although the album was recorded by the same group as the previous two heavier, and S&M-themed, heavy metal albums, the band released this third album under the artist name Betsy, the name of Betsy Weiss aka "Betsy Bitch", their lead singer, and with a softer and more commercial sound. After the album the band reverted to the heavier sound and the name Bitch.
First Impressions:
Softer, more melodic, and more commercial. But still brilliantly "Bitch" like.
Firstly, for those of you who may not know who the band is, here is an overview for you. Bitch was formed in December 1980, and played their first show in May 1981 alongside Dante Fox (later to become Great White). Shortly after the band was formed, guitarist David Carruth met Brian Slagel, future CEO of Metal Blade Records, and the two became friends. Slagel was working on a compilation album to tie into a heavy metal fanzine he had started called The New Heavy Metal Revue, and offered to place Bitch on the compilation if they would submit a demo to him. This project would become the landmark compilation Metal Massacre (1982), which would become famous for launching the career of Metallica and for being the first album ever released by Metal Blade Records. Bitch's contribution to Metal Massacre was a demo version of "Live for the Whip", which would be rerecorded for their debut EP Damnation Alley.
I was 17 when this album hit and I was already a fan of their much more aggressive work under the name "Bitch", so the name change and style shift did take me a bit by surprise back then but I bought it anyway because to me regardless of the changes it's still at its core a "Bitch" album.Now then, many stories flow around this album to this very day, was it a conscious decision to go commercial? Was it label pressure? Was it religious groups or parents groups that forced the change? Honestly, I personally don't really care. What we got was an album that showcased a side of an already great band, a side with great writing chops and solid musicianship....but....is it as good as the 2 albums that came before it? Well, lets dig into this one track by track and find out. Let's do this.
1. You Want It You Got It 3:25
From track one you are introduced to a smoother presentation. The feeling this track conveys a very early Pat Benatar vibe, and that is never a bad thing. The guitar solo in it is top notch and simple for the time and Betsy's voice is tight and strong....a great opener for this album.
2. You'll Never Get Out (Of This Love Alive) 3:18
This was the first single from the album and one of my favorites from this album. Great musicianship and great production for 1988 on this one. It fits in very well for the time, which was the peak of the hair metal scene back in the day...great lyrics and a very competent presentation...and the video was cool too. If this song doesn't get you moving in some way, you are probably dead.
3. Devil Made You Do It 4:00
This bass intro always sounded like an iron maiden cast off to me, but its attached to an up tempo rocker. Although there is a bit of a Krokus feel to the main riff on this one. This is a much more polished song that would work on a previous album if you left some rougher edges...but on this album it gives it some validity and power. Not a bad track and worth the 4 minute investment.
4. Rock N' Roll Musician 4:13
This track has a feeling of mid budget direct to video action movie soundtrack...its a great little rocker that is a fun listen. Still a tightly produced track, but it shares a tonal quality of some of the christian metal bands of the day like Creed(german band) and messiah prophet...that echo tone gives that feeling, but I liked that, and this band does it better.
5. Cold Shot To The Heart 3:45
Nice marching rhythm, powerful vocals, soldiering riff....yep this is an 80's trope that doesn't get old. I really dig this track for all those things, and more. It's just a good little rocker with a strength to it...a put up or shut up type of song that really never really gets tired and old.
6. Flesh And Blood 2:50
Nice riff in this one...it is taylor made for radio. The melody this track holds really keeps the song feeling urgent yet catchy. This is another favorite of mine from this one with good reason, this type of track has always been my bread and butter, and make me feel a bit empowered when I hear them.
7. Turn You Inside Out 3:44
A softer start on this one, another 80's trope into a mid tempo chorus. The power ballad formula that some bands adhered to, even the heavier bands of the day used this one. This is a well done one, and the guitar solo serves this one so well. This track isn't flashy but it's as solid as steel. Great song in its own right.
8. What Am I Gonna Do With You 4:36
A slightly W.A.S.P.ish intro (a hellion feel), and maintains that feel through out, again that isn't a bad thing in my book, it was part of the scene back then and it just feels right. The heart of this song is the passion Betsy conveys lyrically...so much feeling and power. Kinda gives me goose bumps...one of the better songs on this album and that is saying something.
9. Stand Up For Rock 3:43
The obligatory rock anthem, big and boisterous, larger than life chant chorus...this is a good companion piece for Warlock's "Fight for rock" in my opinion. I love tracks like this, they just pump me up for this music. Makes me glad I'm a fan of this genre of music.
10. Sunset Strut 4:28
Well it's time for the slightly sleazy sounding song, another staple of 80's hair metal bands in the day. This one is a bit odd yet it's also rather appealing at the same time. This is a track that is better for its uneven feeling, kinda captures the discordant yet fun feeling of the LA sunset strip glam scene then...kinda makes me want those days back. But for all of that the real star on this one is Betsy's top notch vocals, they tie the whole thing together in one tight little package.
11. Get Out 2:55
A chugging rocker, a hard rocker, a good rocker. Not much really can be said about this one...it's a tight little track that fits into this album and fills a need for the package. This one is another one that could be rougher and fit on one of the previous albums as well. But it's here and it caps the album off nicely.
Conclusion:
Like I said earlier, this album was a surprise for me back in the day but over the years I warmed up to it even more. It really wears its LA heritage on its sleeve, all the nods to the scene and the tropes that were so common back then are in full effect and done very well here. With this album the band showed it was more than some gritty S&M themed band that crudely played their instruments and yelled in the microphones, they showed they were competent and talented musicians, and Betsy proved she had far more to give vocally than growls, screams, and barks...she had (and still has) range and power. Because I am a fan, this may be a bit biased as a review but I can't undersell this album when compared to the ones before it. In retrospect the band Bitch should have been much bigger than they were back in the day, but even now Betsy herself is still powering on with the band and doing it well. Now all I want is 2 duets from her and I could die happy...Betsy and Doro, and of course Betsy and Alice Cooper. Until then I'll just keep spinning the classics and recommend you do the same. This is a showcase album that I recommend highly, if you like 80's metal then this needs to be in your collection, if you are not sure about that era, this is a good album to start with.
Score: 5/5
