Heavy Pettin’- Lettin’ Loose (Reissue)

Heavy Pettin’

Lettin’ Loose (Reissue)

by Mike McMahan at 14 January 2020, 10:55 PM

HEAVY PETTIN’ first formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1981, and it didn’t take long for them to catch the attention and hearts of the local scene. They release a debut single for indie label Neat of the song “Roll the Dice” backed with “Love Times Love”, which grabbed the attention of some major labels, including Polydor, who released the debut album "Lettin’ Loose" in 1983. Named after the 1976 UFO release No Heavy Petting, this band had it all…except good backing from their label. If you are looking for pedigree, this album was co-produced by none other than Brian May of QUEEN fame. Polydor made some marketing mistakes with them, and the band failed to realize its full potential; although they toured heavily behind the likes of KISS and OZZY OSBOURNE.

Now, Burnt Out Wreckords, via Cherry Red Records, has recently done reissues of all three original HEAVY PETTIN’ albums, and thank the Metal Gods for it. They are all good, but this first one was INCREDIBLE.

Opening with the fantastic “In and Out of Love”, it becomes clear that the band is special. They are filled with talent of the highest level. The vocals on this cut soar, and the guitar work is as good as anyone in the game.

“Love on the Run” is another stand out track, full of that early Eighties British bravado, energy and swagger, with a fantastic chorus and more stellar guitar work from both Mendoza and Bonnar. This song, to me, is one of the two strongest on the entire record; the other being the closing track, “Shadows of the Night”, which should have been a hit worldwide.

“Roll the Dice” and “Love Times Love” from their original debut single are also included here, and it is very easy to see what caught the attention of Polydor in the first place. The songs are hooky, greatly written Hard Rock ‘n Roll, bearing more in common with early WHITESNAKE or TYGERS OF PAN TANG than with some of the more popular acts of the generation.

It is a shame that this album never really got its due, but maybe with these reissues (which sound incredible, by the way), that can be remedied. I also hear that Hayman and Bonnar have started recording new music with a different lineup. I only hope it can hold its own with this tremendous original release, and the new and certainly welcomed reissue. Best of luck to them.

Songwriting:10
Musicianship:10
Memorability:10
Production:10



https://youtu.be/Y1Fz8Ze7v74