JOAN JETT
& the BLACKHEARTS
Joan Jett is best known as the ultimate female hard rocker coming from the legendary The Runaways and responsible for the mega-hit single “I Love Rock N’ Roll”. The song is considered by many to be one of the all time classics and was in fact, listed by Billboard as on of the best songs of all time. However, Joan and her Blackhearts have a large body of work that is just as good as the one single which people tend to remember her by. "I Hate Myself For Loving You" is a fantastic opener and was a hit for the band as well. The song is straight forward rock 'n' roll delivered with a genuine, spiteful, irreverent attitude and an undeniable pop hook. I think that's what I like best about Joan, she always seems to deliver that attitude. "Desire," "Ridin' With James Dean," "You Want In" and "Little Liar" are all memorable melodic rock tracks. "Little Liar" was co-written with hit-making songwriter Desmond Child and was a semi-hit as well. "Tulane" is a Chuck Berry cover in which Joan pulls out a straight forward rockin' version. "I Wanna Be Your Dog" is a cover of the Stooges classic song, and a great choice for a cover. This punk song is so different in style from the preceding Chuck Berry cover, yet neither song seem out of place. All in all, "Up Your Alley" is a fantastic rock and roll record.
Joan Jett - Sinner (Blackheart Records) 2006
1. Riddless (4:01)
2. A.C.D.C. (3:20)
3. Five (5:14)
4. Naked (3:51)
5. Everybody Knows (3:13)
6. Change The World (3:07)
7. Androgynous (3:08)
8. Fetish (3:23)
9. Watersign (3:10)
10. Tube Talkin' (3:37)
11. Turn It Around (3:44)
12. Baby Blue (4:06)
13. A 100 Feet Away (2:33)
14. Bad Time (5:05)
I popped this CD into my car deck and cranked it up. As "Riddles" came pumping out of my system, I thought to myself, "wow, this sounds pretty modern". I've never though of Joan Jett as one to follow trends in music. However, she really hasn't followed any trends, rather the trends have come back around and Jett now fits right in. It's actually been 25 years since Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation" heyday yet her mixture of pop, punk and pure rock and roll is the substance that modern rock is striving to be. Joan has always been great a taking cover songs and making them her own. That is certainly the case here as well. "A.C.D.C." is a brilliant song to begin with, an underrated gem from the Sweet catalog. This song, as well as her cover of The Replacements' "Androgynous" fit in with the lyrical themes. On "Sinner" Joan seems to be striving for more thoughtful lyrics with political statements and explorations of her much-questioned but never answered sexuality.
What makes a good Joan Jett album? She's never been the best guitarist, the sweetest singer or the most outstanding songwriter. No, it's all about that nasty kick-you-in-the-ass attitude. I think that is exactly what Joan delivers here. Without a doubt "A.C.D.C." is the standout track on the album. The melodic "Watersign" also stands out as one of the albums more memorable tracks, however I've found myself quite enjoying the whole album over and over again. "Sinner" might not be Joan's best album, but it certainly doesn't sound like some tired album from someone past their prime. Regardless of trends, rock and roll can be timeless. It seems to me that Joan Jett is indeed timeless.
I've read that ten tracks from "Sinner" are the same as her Japan-only "Naked" disc.