The trouble with you lot
and Miss Jett is very simple, you take
one look and go “Sex Bomb” and don’t go
any further. This may be a fair gut reaction.
However, stop, take a smell of the music
because it rocks.
Released in 1988 and produced by long
term mentor Kenny Laguna, “Up Your Alley”
has been far more influential on the rock
world than most would admit. All of the
big hair poodle rock boys should give
a doff of the hat to Joan Jett and her
merry cohorts “The Blackhearts”. From
“Bon Jovi” to “Motley Crue”, they’ve all
obviously lent an ear, copying a few hints
here and hear.
Everybody who’s been to a bar in Thailand
knows the opening song, “I Hate Myself
For Loving You”. Whether it is the original
version by Joan or a Thai cover version
the music is undeniably Joan Jett’s. The
song opens with Thommy Price’s big drum
sound before the guitars come crashing
in. Joan gives one of her sexy little
yelps and the chorus drags you dancing
along. As with two other songs on this
album, “Little Liar” and the love rejection
song “You Want In, I Want Out”, it was
co-written with Desmond Child. This does
not diminish anything from the songs that
Joan wrote with the rest of the band.
There is not a ‘filler’ on the album.
“I Still Dream About You” is an all time
classic, with Joan throwing herself at
you with some of the most Vulgar Lyrics
ever recorded. The two cover songs are
well chosen. First you have Chuck Berry’s
free way madness anthem “Tulane” which
just rocks, with Thommy Price’s drums
again excelling.
The high point of the album though is
Joan’s interpretation of the Stooges “I
Wanna Be Your Dog”, which Joan makes her
own. I want to be your dog, Joan?
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts have always
been in your face Rock ‘n’ Roll. What
the band play is what you get - the original
garage punk. Nowadays, it’s all lip syncing
to back up tapes and posing which is not
really Joan’s thing. However, when the
people want to rock again, Joan Jett &
the Blackhearts will be there at the top
of the pile singing about ‘sex’, ‘cruisin’
and ‘rockin’ reel hard. Joan Jett &
the Blackhearts still play over 200 concerts
a year and the last two studio albums,
“Notorious” and “Pure and Simple” are
phenomenal. It is Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven.
Check it out.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
