Album review: BARBE-Q-BARBIES – Borrowed Time

Dissonance Productions [Release date 17.05.19]

As fellow scribe Andy Nathan observed in his recent review of the Sweden AOR Convention, a fresh generation of Scandi bands now lead the pack in genres they were too young to have lived through first time around.

So what about sleaze/trash exponents Barbe-Q-Barbies, an all-female Finnish quintet?

Formed in 2002, and with three previous albums to their name – All Over You (2010), Breaking All The Rules (2013) and Driven (2015), their last release was an AC/DC, Kiss, and Motorhead flavoured outing, whereas Borrowed Time – their first with new guitarist Heidi Meri – focuses ‘on the songs rather than getting hooked on rock clichés … adding strong pop and even funk elements’.

And that’s exactly what they’ve done – in a very similar vein to Joanovarc – they’ve lost none of their sassy, locked and loaded attitude, but combined it with some strong pop sensibilities to deliver 32 minutes of radio friendly rock.

It’s a feisty affair, from the opener, title track and current single ‘Diz-funk-tional’ sounding like a sleazy ‘Spice Up Your Life’ (in a good way) to the foot-stomping funky closing rocker ‘Borrowed Time’, it’s a raunchy 32 minute ride of driving rhythms, big hooks, some excellent femme fatale vocals from singer Niki Rock, and some outstanding guitar work from Heid Meri who marries a suitably dirty tone with some fabulous lines.

Perhaps not yet the full package, but ones, along with Joanovarc, to watch. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 16 November 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This 600th show was first broadcast on 18 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.