Runaways [Import]

The Runaways | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Cherry Red UK
• ASIN: B0000BZO2J
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,115 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Cherry Bomb

2. You Drive Me Wild

3. Is It Day or Night?

4. Thunder

5. Rock & Roll

6. Lovers

7. American Nights

8. Blackmail

9. Secrets

10. Dead End Justice

Editorial Reviews

When the Runaways debuted in 1976 with this self-titled LP, aggressive female rockers were the exception instead of the rule. With this album, the Runaways made it crystal clear that women (or specifically, adolescent girls) were more than capable of playing intense, forceful hard rock that went directly for the jugular. Produced by Kim Fowley. 10 tracks & a fold-out sleeve with extensive liner notes, photos & other memorabilia. Cherry Red Records. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The one that started it all still kicks ass!, August 9, 2004

By 

Scott "Dr. Music" Itter "Dr. Music" (Naperville, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Runaways (Audio CD)

Here it is folks, the beginning of "grrrrl rock"; the angst driven rock of the female. This is the record that influenced an entire world of angry teenage females to express themselves through music. Loud, raucous, rock and roll music. This band was the Rosa Parks for the female rocker. After this record, the female rocker would no longer be riding the back of the bus; in fact, if they cut records anything like this one, they'd be driving it.

Let's state the obvious facts first. Yes, Joan Jett started this all-female teen band (all 16 years of age at the time of recording, except guitarist Lita Ford who was a whole 17 years old). Yes, Lita Ford played lead guitar for this band. And, yes, they had their only hit "Cherry Bomb" on this record. And as you dig deeper into the spirit of this record, you realize that there is so much more afoot here.
I am hard pressed to think of another release that is this spontaneous and raw. There is a hunger and passion for fame that burns through every groove here. These girls had a fire raging in their souls when they went into the studio to record this classic, a blaze that really never returned to them in their future recordings.

The record kicks off with their only big hit, "Cherry Bomb". A classic rock song that has the seductive, "bad girl" sound that epitomized an entire genre. Without sounding adolescent, the band uses a simple "bare bones" approach that contains nothing of any complexity. This is the appeal of the record. It feels as if this band rehearses in the garage at the end of the block, and you have their only recording. The band sings and plays directly to the listener,....for the listener. I still feel that they made this record specifically for me when I listen to it now, nearly 30 years after its' release.
As the girls rumble through this record, we realize that every tune here (except the final track) is less than three and a half minutes in length. Only the basics folks, and it's catchy stuff. With a cover of Lou Reed's "Rock And Roll" added like salt to an already tasty buffet, this is just good plain rock and roll. Even though each and every song is stripped down, it rocks steady without going off course. They rock with a boogie woogie style on tracks like "Blackmail", and retain a catchy pop sound with tracks like "Secrets". This has so much to offer the 70's straight forward rock connoisseur. With melodies that will ring in your head for decades to come, this is a real classic.
The only somewhat "corny" piece here may be the 7-minute plus final track "Dead End Justice". With energetic singer Cherie Currie and a 16 year old Joan Jett doing some overacting, as if they are escaping from a prison, it might sound a bit silly. But in the context of the record, "Dead End Justice" still sounds like good fun. It's a fine track by a group of 16 year old girls who just recorded the most entertaining female hard rock album of its' time, and arguably, all time.

For more Dr. Music reviews, visit http://DrMusic.new-sounds.com

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teenage Rock And Roll, February 25, 2005

By 

Reijo Piippula "Rekko" (Turku, Finland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Runaways (Audio CD)

One of the first girl hard rock groups, The Runaways, made their debut in 1976 with the self titled album. Cherie Currie (16 years old) in vocals, Joan Jett (16 years old) in rhythm guitar & vocals, Lita Ford (17 years old) in lead guitar, Jackie Fox (16 years old) in bass and vocals, and Sandy West (16 years old) in drums and vocals made a huge success in Japan but not so great in America and Europe. They had one great hit "Cherry Bomb" which is defintely their best song and this album is also their best one. Also the B-side of "Cherry Bomb": "Blackmail" is included here. This album is full of great hard rock songs, no ballads and no boring guitar & drums solos. They also made a great version of L. Reed's "Rock And Roll". The album closes with a long track "Dead End Justice". The lyrics in the songs are mainly about sex, love, partying, drugs, rock'n'roll, and justice. Cherie Currie is an excellent vocalist...her voice is so hot and wild...also the other girls sing very well the backing vocals. This is one of the most underrated albums in the rock history. It has inspired many hard rock girl groups, for example Girl School and The Donnas.
Stars: Cherry Bomb, Secrets, Is It Day Or Night?

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back To The Old Days, June 29, 2004

By 

"mistymthop" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Runaways (Audio CD)

I am very happy to say that I bought this album back when it was first released, and I still have it, I taped all the songs to tapes as I usually do to save the wear and tear on the L.P. These girls kicked butt in the late 70's, raw talent Rock and Roll, Garage rock at it's best, They played their own instruments, gave you 110% pure sexual Rock & Roll. Not bad for a bunch of Underage Girls who are still Rockin today, although solo. Back then you bought the album for the music, they got by for their music, not like today, where the videos are more important then the sound!