Ok so I guess you could say I’ve been in the mood for classic rock and who haven’t I put on the chopping block yet? Well I figured why not put Pat Benatar on the chopping block. Now everyone is obviously familiar with songs like Heartbreaker and Love Is A Battlefield but let’s see if there are songs beyond those songs. So let’s take a look…….
In The Heat Of The Night- right out the gate, we get the song Heartbreaker and now as far as the rest of the album is concerned, it’s actually really good and it’s too bad the rest of the songs aren’t as popular as Heartbreaker because this is a great album. The songs rock and they are catchy. Definitely one to listen to. I’ll give it 10/10
Standouts: Rated X, I Need A Lover, So Sincere
Crimes Of Passion- so this one again continues the same trend that was on the last record. It’s definitely an 80’s sounding record but it’s just so good. This is also the record that gave us the song Hit Me With Your Best Shot and again it’s too bad that the rest of these songs aren’t as well known. Anyway a very worthy follow up and I’m giving it another 10/10
Standouts: Treat Me Right, You Better Run, Prisoner Of Love
Precious Time- so this one again is definitely an 80’s sounding record but I had to give this one a second listen to appreciate it more. The songs are fun and the guitar work is awesome. Maybe this one doesn’t have as many hits as the last couple but still a good record regardless. I’ll give it 9.5/10
Standouts: Take It Any Way You Want It, Helter Skelter, Precious Time
Get Nervous- ok so this is the album that gave us Shadows Of The Night and aside from that song, the rest of the album does have some hits and misses. It’s a good album but in my opinion, there are one or two songs that I can see getting skipped. I’ll give this one 9/10
Standouts: Looking For A Stranger, I Want Out, Silent Partner
Tropico- this one has a mixture of songs that are hard rock, really soft songs, and pop songs. And by pop songs I mean good pop songs (yes pop music can be good if done right). Again the biggest hit on this album is We Belong Together but aside from that song, the rest of the album is a good album. I’ll give this one 9/10
Standouts: Ooh Ooh Song, Takin’ It Back, Temporary Heroes
Seven The Hard Way- I think for this one she clearly went for more of a pop oriented sound. Aside from that though, there are some disco-y guitar parts which does definitely remind you that this is an 80’s record. It’s not a bad record but maybe not as memorable? Anyway that said, I’ll give it 8/10
Standouts: Big Life, Invincible, Sex As A Weapon
Wide Awake In Dreamland- I feel like this has a little bit of everything. You’ve got the rock songs, some poppy songs, and some of the softer songs. I guess it would be as some would say a diverse album. However you want to look at it, it’s a very good record and I’ll give it 9/10
Standouts: All Fired Up, Cool Zero, Don’t Walk Away
True Love- well I think it’s safe to say that this is the first jump blues record that I’ve reviewed. Yes you read that right. This is a blues record and it’s also got some covers. Now this is actually a pretty fun and different record. I found myself actually enjoying most of this record. Check this one out if you are looking for something different. I’ll give it 9/10
Standouts: Bloodshot Eyes, I Feel Lucky, I Get Evil
Gravity’s Rainbow- this one has a Wide Awake In Dreamland feel,to,it,but with modern production. I find that most artists that were popular in the 80’s that make albums in the 90’s like this tend to fall flat but here it’s actually quite good. After the last record, Pat proves that she can still rock. I’ll give this one 9/10
Standouts: Everybody Lay Down, Disconnected, Tradin’ Down
Innamorata- I don’t know what it is about this record but after the last one I was hoping for more of the same on this one but it’s kinda meh. Like it’s not a bad record but I just couldn’t get into it as much as her other records. At the end of the day, it’s just ok. I’ll give it 6/10
Standouts: River Of Love
Go- is it just me or does this record have an Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill sound to it. Maybe it’s not as femme as that album but I’m reminded of that record when I listen to this one. I will say this that at first listen it is a little on the cringe side but if you keep at it, it’s actually enjoyable. If you are a fan of Pat Benatar, you might like it but this one wouldn’t be my first choice. I’ll give this one 5/10
Standouts: Go
Let’s just start out by saying that these albums are great albums overall. And yes there are songs that are just as good as the hit songs. Could you get by with a greatest hits? Yeah I’m sure you could. Anyway, live I’m sure these songs sound even better.
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- Crimes Of Passion
- In The Heat Of The Night
- Precious Time
- True Love
- Wide Awake In Dreamland
- Gravity’s Rainbow
- Get Nervous
- Tropico
- Seven The Hard Way
- Innamorata
- Go
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