Tommy Shaw's AOR Classic

TMQ guest review by Tommy "Hashman" Hash

Only a few years after departing from Styx, no one really knew what to expect from the band’s singer, songwriter and lead guitarist when Tommy Shaw unleashed his debut solo album; but the end result is one of the most underrated AOR records of its time. Originally released in 1984 by A&M Records, Girls With Guns was a departure from the technical prowess that Shaw’s former band had presented over the years. Shaw’s debut platter presented a more ‘pop oriented’ approach; in all due respect, however, his vocals and his guitar playing were in full force, marking a stance for a more personal sound looming on the horizon, if anything.

Girls With Guns opens up with the ultra-catchy title track, where the main riffs are driven not by Shaw’s six strings, but by a synthesizer; we have to remember, this was the ‘80s, and it was that time-period of production excess. Nevertheless, Shaw’s guitar still drives its way through the song with its hook-laden chorus and yet, who can complain – it was a Top 40 hit and an MTV fave, so….

The record is also filled with several harder-edged rockers such as the anthemic “Come In And Explain;” the dark pop of “Heads Up” and “Free To Love You;” and the heavily-textured “Fading Away” to set the tone for all things AOR to come. And what would an AOR record be without ballads? “Lonely School,” which was a minor hit, showed a more emotional side to the singer while “Kiss Me Hello” is an eased-back and yet haunting track, adding a counterpoint to the more straightforward, popish elements that are present.

Girls With Guns has an overall dark vibe to it and, with the exception of the title track, it certainly has Shaw’s touch. Even though it has many traces of the commercial confines of its time, it still shines as a great record that stands out with its fluid melodies and tuneful attitude. This record is a testament on how Shaw was able to flex his muscles as a songwriter (having written, or at least co-written every track on the record) and as a guitarist with some great solos here and there – but it’s his songwriting that really is allowed to shine here.

After a couple more solo albums (What If and Ambition), Shaw would later go on to form another hard rock-oriented AOR group, Damn Yankees, scoring moderate success before later re-joining Styx. However, it’s his solo career, this and his two other albums, that are regarded as some of the strongest AOR/melodic rock releases to have ever hit the racks, truly some of the most underrated material that has been bestowed upon the hard rock world. (American Beat Records)

(Click on the CD cover to buy Girls With Guns from Amazon.com)