Living Like a Runaway is the eighth solo studio album from American rock-musician Lita Ford, released in June 2012. This is the first album of Ford's to be released on SPV/Steamhammer Records.[1] "SPV gets who I am, my work, and what it takes to bring this project to life. I'm very excited to have them on my team," says Ford.[2]

Living Like a Runaway
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 4, 2012 (Europe)
June 19, 2012 (North America)
Recorded2011-2012
StudioWazoo Music Studio, Pelham, New Hampshire and Metronome Studio, Brookline, New Hampshire
GenreHeavy metal
Length40:56
LabelSPV/Steamhammer
ProducerGary Hoey
Lita Ford chronology
Wicked Wonderland
(2009)
Living Like a Runaway
(2012)
The Bitch Is Back ... Live
(2013)

The album was co-written and produced by rock guitarist Gary Hoey and represents a return to form for Lita, who drew inspiration from her "ugly divorce" from Nitro singer Jim Gillette.

"Gary Hoey and I wanted to approach this record by getting back to basics," she said. "We want to strip away all the electronics and plug-ins and keep it to vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. Going back to basics is going back to what punk, metal and The Runaways was for me."

She added, "[The album title] Living Like a Runaway means freedom and empowerment. To do what I want and to pursue my dreams while answering to no one."[2]

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]
About.com     [4]

Since its release, Living Like a Runaway has been met with positive reviews. Reviewer William Clark of Guitar International.com gave the album a positive review, saying "If you take a step back from the powerful storyline, the music itself is classic Lita Ford, and that’s what really brings Living Like a Runaway over the top".[5]

Track listing edit

  1. "Branded" (Lita Ford, Gary Hoey) - 3:47
  2. "Hate" (Ford, Michael Dan Ehmig, Hoey) - 3:55
  3. "The Mask" (Ford) - 4:09
  4. "Living Like a Runaway" (Ford, Ehmig, Hoey) - 4:47
  5. "Relentless" (Hoey) - 3:48
  6. "Mother" (Ford) - 2:55
  7. "Devil in My Head" (Ford, Ehmig, Hoey) - 5:22
  8. "Asylum" (Ford, Hoey) - 4:34
  9. "Luv 2 Hate U" (Ford, Ehmig, Hoey) - 3:45
  10. "A Song to Slit Your Wrists By" (Nikki Sixx) - 3:54 (Mötley Crüe cover)
  11. "Boiling Point" (Ford, Ehmig) - 4:09 (iTunes bonus track)
  12. "Bad Neighborhood" (Ford, Doug Aldrich) (digipak bonus track) - 3:43
  13. "The Bitch Is Back" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) - 3:39 (digipak bonus track, Elton John cover)

Personnel edit

  • Lita Ford - lead and backing vocals, guitars, keyboards, executive producer
  • Gary Hoey - guitars, bass, keyboards, backing vocals, co-lead vocals on "Love 2 Hate U", producer, engineer, mixing
  • Matt Scurfield - drums
  • The Uptown Horns:
    • Crispin Cioe - baritone/tenor/alto saxophone
    • Arno Hecht - tenor saxophone
    • Larry Etkin - trumpet
  • Mickey Kanan, Tayla Lemieux - backing vocals
  • Doug Aldrich - guitar on "Bad Neighborhood"
  • Pete "Boardz" Peloquin - drum engineer, assistant mixing engineer (Metronome Media Group)
  • Bobby Collin - executive producer

References edit

  1. ^ "LITA FORD: First Look At Double-LP Version Of 'Living Like A Runaway'". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  2. ^ a b "LITA FORD Signs With SPV/STEAMHAMMER; New Album Title Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  3. ^ Thomas, Fred. "Lita Ford Living Like a Runaway review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  4. ^ Simms, Kelley. "Lita Ford - Living Like a Runaway Review". Heavy Metal. About.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  5. ^ Clarke, William. "Lita Ford Returns with Living Like a Runaway". Guitar International . com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.