Scandal (4) Featuring Patty Smyth – Warrior

my copy of this does not have a printed lyric inner sleeve; all of the other runout info matches though.

One of those admirable, overlooked yet admittedly generic rock albums utterly overshadowed by its hit single, which in this case is the eponymous "The Warrior", was the first and last hurrah by a collective who effectively sabotaged their opportunity for longevity - despite Patty Smyth's name being affixed to the band's name as if she were merely a featured vocalist rather than a frontwoman, she is the cover star and main focus. All involved more than elevate the by-the-numbers material with acceptable delivery and performance; the adequate production, pleasing musicianship and Patty Smyth's vocals are slightly above average when compared with other female singers of her generation. For the most part, this is frothy-sounding frivolous fun that truthfully does not inspire confidence in its interpreters going the distance, but it is all delivered competently and convincingly - the original compositions fare well in terms of interplay and instrumentation - though their underwhelming rendition of "Only the Young" feels almost superfluous now that Journey's take is the widely heard, and arguably definitive, version. Frankly, it is one of several passable but not exactly great tracks that ideally should have been replaced with another sure-fire '80s pop standard courtesy of Holly Knight. In fact, had the entire album benefitted from Holly Knight's deft songwriting, Scandal may have produced something first-rate and far more memorable. Once the LP concludes, you may not recall any other lyric than 'I am the warrior', which is to say that, in the present-day at least, it largely registers as a contrived extension of the pure pop pleasure of its designative hit, but it definitely passes muster during its favourably concise length.

Rating: 3.5/5

Any idea WHY it says "a disgusting pile of guts"? The other phrase on side A seems encouraging while this is just odd haha