December 30th, 2025 - A Flashback to When We Were Young and Free

 

For those of you that have been reading this blog for a while now, you can attest to the fact that I'm a sucker for the music of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) from the late 1970s and early 1980s.  As such, I'm rocking out today with the great "Young And Free (The Lost Album)" by the legendary Rock Goddess and a bold and tasty Flashback Double India Pale Ale from the fine folks at 2 Row Brewing!

Album Info:

• Artist: Rock Goddess
• Title: "Young And Free (The Lost Album)"
• Recorded: September through October 1985 at Music Works Studios in London, England
• Release date: 1987 (3rd full-length studio album by Rock Goddess)
• Record company: Just'In Distribution / Thunderbolt
• Production: Jo Julian and Paul Samson 
• Album cover art: Igor Mac Rams (photography and design) 
• Personnel: Dee O'Malley (bass and backing vocals), Jody Turner (guitars and lead vocals), and Julie Turner (drums and backing vocals)
• Additional musician: Jo Julian (keyboards and programming)
• Musical style: NWOBHM, heavy metal, hard rock, pop rock
• Sound: A little more commercial and poppy than previous works, with "Young And Free", Rock Goddess is still definitely pure adrenaline hard rock in the vein of acts like Girlschool, Joan Jett, KISS, and Samson.  Characterized by sexually charged and emotive lyrics, catchy hard-rockin' riffs, Jody's powerful vocals and soaring guitars, Julie's driving drum work, and O'Malley's thumpin' bass work, and wonderful harmonies, Rock Goddess' work is solid, 1980s rockin' goodness!  Songs like "Young And Free", "So Much Love", "Love Is A Bitch", and "Turn Me Loose" are monster rockers in their own right. 
• Major themes: Independence, youth, rebellion, freedom, sex, desire, life, loss, etc.
• Tracks:

1. "Young And Free"
2. "Hello"
3. "So Much Love"
4. "Jerry"
5. "Streets Of The City"
6. "The Party Never Ends"
7. "Love Has Passed Me By"
8. "Raiders"
9. "Love Is A Bitch"
10. "Boys Will Be Boys"
11. "Sexy Eyes"
12. "Rumour"
13. "Turn Me Loose"
14. "Hey Lover" (bonus track)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: 2 Row Brewing (Midvale, Utah)
• Website: http://2rowbrewing.com/
• Brew: Flashback Double India Pale Ale
• Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA) / Imperial IPA
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 8.0% 
• Pour: The Flashback pours a clear with frothy, 1-finger, eggshell white head with good retention and lots of soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, earthy, floral, and malty.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, , wildflowers, toasted barley, dank pine resin, and sweet caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Flashback is characterized by bright citrusy and tropical flavors along with more subtle herbal notes and sweet maltiness.  There are notes of pink grapefruit juice, orange pith, pine, fresh herbs, barley, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Flashback is crisp and hearty, yet smooth and creamy with a slightly bitter, but fairly clean finish.

Overall pairing: The 2 Row Flashback DIPA is a bold and hoppy IPA with great flavors and aromas... perfect for an evening of rocking out with the mighty Rock Goddess and their killer "Young And Free" album!  'Nuff said!

Cheers and hails!

And make sure to check out my interview with sisters Jody and Julie Turner here: https://youtu.be/LJPCvrLJKMk and my interview with former bassist Tracey Lamb here: https://youtu.be/r83HrVKTq1w