Play Dirty
Girlschool · 1983
53 min · 15 tracks · heavy metal
A high-energy blend of heavy metal riffs and catchy hooks, embodying the fierce spirit of the early '80s rock scene.
Top tracks — play these first
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Going Under — This opening track sets an aggressive tone with driving guitar riffs and powerful vocals, encapsulating the band's signature sound.
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High n Dry — With its anthemic chorus and infectious energy, this track showcases Girlschool's ability to blend catchy melodies with hard-hitting instrumentation.
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Play Dirty — The title track exemplifies the album's raw power, combining gritty lyrics with a dynamic instrumental arrangement that emphasizes the band's heavy metal roots.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Girlschool's 'Play Dirty' showcases energetic riffs and dual vocals but lacks standout compositions or cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down slightly in the latter part.
- Several tracks feature dual lead vocals, creating a dynamic interplay between the singers that enhances the energy of the songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- high-energy bursts of rebellion
- anthemic choruses for sing-alongs
- short tracks with punchy impact
- late-night party atmosphere
- catchy hooks that invite engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, contemplative music
- want lengthy, immersive albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on November 8, 1983, Play Dirty was Girlschool's fourth studio album, coming after their well-received album Screaming Blue Murder. At this point in their career, Girlschool was solidifying their place within the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement, building a reputation for both their music and their pioneering role as an all-female band in a male-dominated genre.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Going Under 4:16
- 2 High n Dry 3:09
- 3 Play Dirty 5:03
- 4 20th Century Boy 3:28
- 5 Breaking All the Rules 3:02
- 6 Burning in the Heat 3:19
- 7 Surrender 3:23
- 8 Rock Me Shock Me 4:28
- 9 Running for Cover 3:11
- 10 Breakout (Knob in the Media) 3:23
- 11 1 2 3 4 Rock n Roll 3:32
- 12 Don't Call It Love (new version) 3:23
- 13 Tush (new version) 2:13
- 14 Like It Like That 3:28
- 15 1 2 3 4 Rock n Roll (12" extended version) 4:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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