Lizzy Borden

Lizzy Borden

Visual Lies (1987)

Metal Blade Records

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 4 Pentagrams

Reviewed by: Jeff Deth 

There are a handful of bands from the 80’s Sunset Strip era that have aged well over time and still remain relevant amongst the metal scene today. Lizzy Borden emerged in the mid-eighties during a second wave of Hollywood Glam bands following in the footsteps of WASP and Motley Crue. While other followers simply cashed in on the success of the glam ballad, Borden offered a darker and more respectable take on things. Although they were featured in The Decline of Western Civilization II next to Poison and other embarrassing LA posers, Lizzy and crew actually had something other to say besides “fuck groupies and party!!”

Visual Lies, released in 1987, contains all the most endearing elements of the 80’s metal sound and none of the god-awful cheesiness. The musicianship and songwriting is excellent throughout. There’s no throw away songs there to pad a couple of radio hits. I don’t know if Borden ever aspired for hit single success. With this record it defiantly feels like a cohesive statement with all the songs relatively equal in quality.

Lyrically, Visual Lies hits on different themes like obsession, alienation and deception. The concepts are painted with such a broad stroke as to leave a lot of room for interpretation. Everything is a hint, a suggestion. The album left me with a feeling of mystery. Lizzy himself has a special vocal quality that is haunting without being menacing. So while the songs are very upbeat and harmonious, an undertone of evil permeates throughout.

On first listen, the sound was very familiar but more perfected. The quintessential LA shine and glimmer. Lizzy just did it better than most everyone else.

Gene Allen and J. Holmes are pitch-perfect with their guitar work. The solos have their own distinct Lizzy feel to them that even carries into the work different guitarists are doing in the band today.

I prefer things that are more aggressive and fast, so my favorite track is “Den of Thieves” off side one. The energy is at it’s highest point, the tempo blistering. On the other hand the album has peeks and valleys in which slower songs are able to take you to different places along the way. All the songs have their own emotional quality that creates a mental cascade of imagery. This is their best record of their classic line-up and would be a great introduction to the band.

I would say that if you appreciate great 80’s guitar metal but want more in terms of a cerebral experience, Lizzy Borden is your band.