The new album from Josie Cotton, Invasion of the B-Girls, is a helluva record. Containing the kind of stylistic energy she brought to the Valley Girl soundtrack a few decades ago, this new release sees Cotton cover songs from some of the best/worst films ever made. And while this is the kind of thing that might sound better on paper than in actuality, Josie makes this album, out next Friday via Kitten Robot Records, a whole lot of fun.
"Get Off the Road", from She-Devils on Wheels (1968) by Herschell Gordon Lewis, revs things up to start, while the title cut from Girl in Gold Boots (1968) from Ted V. Mikels continues that retro vibe. "Who Killed Teddy Bear?" is more languid and mysterious, while "Female Trouble", from the 1974 John Waters classic of the same name, is a real kick. To her credit, Josie Cotton imbues all this with the sort of semi-seriousness that renders it more than a goof. By the time the narration from Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) kicks in during "Now and Then", I think any listener knows that Cotton's tongue is firmly in cheek.
Less successful for me were the two songs from Godzilla films which seemed too jokey to entirely work, though Josie's voice is in fine form on "Goodbye Godzilla" from 1985's Return of Godzilla, released here as Godzilla 1985. Throughout Invasion of the B-Girls Josie Cotton really delivers the goods, and while some of this works better than other cuts, it's only the rarest moment here near the end where things feel a bit too silly. Still, the record is a blast, and it offers a set of fantastic theme songs for some real "greats" of Grade B (or Z) cinema.
Invasion of the B-Girls is out on Friday via Kitten Robot Records.
More details on Josie Cotton via the official Facebook page, or the official website.
[Photo: Kitten Robot Records]