Up next is another lost review. Again a lost review is a review that for some reason just disappeared from my files and I could not find it on Facebook where I originally post these things. So the band back up on the chopping block is Joan Jett And The Black Hearts and again this is a band that has a fair amount of radio hits, but let’s see how they are beyond those songs so with that let’s take a look……..
Bad Reputation- basically this album is an extension of the last album from The Runaways only it’s more poppy. It’s definitely got some of her classics on here such as the cover of Bad Reputation and Make Believe. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable and fun album and it’s a good start. I’ll give this one 9.5/10
Standouts: You Don’t Own Me, Jezebel, What Can I Do For You?
I Love Rock N Roll- while yes this does have some more of the poppier elements of the last album, there’s definitely a grittiness to it. This does have a couple of covers such as the song, Summertime Blues by Blue Cheer as well as I Love Rock N Roll. It is pretty easy to see why this album is considered her most successful album because aside from the cover songs that are on here. The rest of the album is actually pretty damn good. I’ll go ahead and give this 10/10.
Standouts: Nag, Summertime Blues, Bits And Pieces
Album- I know that this one was recorded and released and I want to say 1983 but this does have a very 70s feel to it. I’m not saying that that’s a bad thing but I guess maybe the way the songs sound or something just give it a very 70s vibe. I will say, though that the songs do seem a little bit slower compared to the last couple of albums, but they don’t drag or get boring. I like this, but maybe not as much as the previous two entries. I’m gonna give this one 9/10
Standouts: Everyday People, Handyman, Wait For Me
Glorious Results Of A Misspent Youth- again we kind of get more of the same with this one that we saw on the last album. The songs definitely have less of a punk feel and more of a straight up Rock deal but again if you enjoyed the last album, you’re definitely going to enjoy this one. It’s a good album. Just don’t expect anything new or exciting. I’ll give this one 8/10.
Standouts: I Need Someone, Bombs Away, Frustrated
Good Music- I feel like at this point you can kind of tell that maybe they’re running out of steam. By that I mean, this album is probably the slowest one yet and it almost feels as if this was material that they didn’t include on Glorious Results. There are some good moments but overall this album is just OK. I’m gonna go ahead and give this 7/10
Standouts: Roadrunner, Outlaw, Lust
Up Your Alley- so this is the album that gave us her cover of I Hate Myself For Loving You and aside from that the album just feels somewhat uneven. I guess another way to put it is maybe balanced but what I’m getting that is that there’s a faster song than a slower song and so on. I wanted to like this one more but overall, I just found this one to be good but not great. I’ll give this one 7.5/10
Standouts: Tulane, Back It Up, Just Like In The Movies
The Hit List- so the name for this is deceiving because I thought it was the greatest hits album, but it’s actually the obligatory covers album. Here they cover songs by bands like AC/DC, ZZ Top, and The Sex Pistols. If you wanna hear how this band sounds covering classic rock songs then by all means check this one out. If not, then skip this one. Some good covers here but nothing special and it gets 8/10.
Standouts: Dirty Deeds, Tush, Pretty Vacant
Notorious- so now we are into the 90s and I gotta say Joan Jett in the 90s is probably more or less the same album wise. This one does seem to have songs that are a bit more on the ballad-y side of things but it’s not like there’s a huge difference between albums so far. I’ll go ahead and give this one 7/10
Standouts: Ashes In The Wind, Machismo, Wait For Me
Pure And Simple- I feel like this one is almost a return to form. It definitely reminds me of the first couple of albums and looking at the year that it was released, which was 1994, it’s kinda easy to see why this album sounds the way it does. I mean in 94 bands like L7 were gaining popularity and I feel like that this album is Joan Jett’s way of competing with bands like that and she does a good job of it too. Definitely a step up and I’m going to give this one 9.5/10
Standouts: Spinster, Go Home, Insecure
Sinner- apparently 12 years have passed since the last album was released. So what does she have to offer after 12 years? Well, this one doesn’t exactly pick up where the last album left off and in fact, it’s a little bit slower than I would’ve thought. It’s nothing new or exciting but rather more of the same I guess. Now there was another album that was only released in Japan called Naked (seriously you can’t find it anywhere online not even on YouTube I tried) and this album does have a lot of of those songs on here so maybe that’s why this album sounds the way it does. Either way it’s pretty decent and around this time is when I was lucky enough to see her on Warped Tour. Overall not bad and I’m going to give it 7.5/10.
Standouts: Tube Talkin’, Fetish, A.C.D.C.
Unvarnished- OK after the I guess weirdness or whatever you wanna call it that was the previous album. This one feels more like it picks up where Pure And Simple left off. The songs have that kind of punk rock feel that was present on that album and some of her older albums. Definitely an album worth checking out and it also just goes to show that she still has it. I’ll give this one 9/10.
Standouts: TMI, Different, Make It Back
Changeup- OK so if you ever wanted to know how Joan Jett And The Blackhearts sound unplugged well then look no further. Here we have an all acoustic record and anybody that knows me. I am not a fan of all acoustic albums or all acoustic music for that matter. I mean the band sounds good. It’s not a bad album by any means but again I find acoustic music to be incredibly boring. Not to mention this is kind of a long album and that does not help things for this review. Props for trying something new but I’m gonna go ahead and give this one 5/10.
Standouts:
Mindsets- so this is just an EP, but I’d like to think it’s a preview of the next album. I mean, what else can I really say about them at this point? It’s more of the same it’s nothing new or mind blowing, but it’s good and sometimes that’s what’s needed with certain bands. I’m gonna go ahead and give this one, 8.5/10.
Standouts: Rear View Mirror, If You’re Blue
Joan Jett is one of those artists that at the end of the day is pretty bad ass and there’s a reason why people refer to her as the queen of punk rock. Now album wise they’re pretty formulaic and derivative. Overall, she’s got some pretty good albums and her hits are considered classics for good reason. Also for a band/artist that’s been around as long as she has and the fact that they are still putting out material and still consistently touring is pretty impressive. If you haven’t had a chance to see Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, definitely do so you will not be disappointed.
Final Grade: B+/A-
Album Rankings:
- I Love Rock N Roll
- Bad Reputation
- Pure And Simple
- Album
- Unvarnished
- Mindsets
- Glorious Results Of A Misspent Youth
- The Hit List
- Up Your Alley
- Sinner
- Good Music
- Notorious
- Changeup
Sinister Reviews 