Joan Jett - Sinner



So this is the start of a new category for me. I never particularly liked the idea of doing album reviews... I tried once a couple years back for some internet "magazine" and I was sent this horrible hard rock album (Artist: Broke / Album: "Don't Fix It"). I wrote a review but it never got "published." I can't believe it but I still have the album... I guess as a reminder of what I shouldn't do.

Flash forward several years. Recently I was contacted by a promotional company that was pushing the new Joan Jett album! Ahh... Joan Jett. I immediately said yes. But this time, getting to create my OWN album review - on my terms - was very appealing.

So Joan Jett's been around for a while, and everyone remembers the classics. I have fond memories of being at the roller-skating rink, and remembering how I would find myself going around the oval just a little bit faster when Joan's "I Love Rock & Roll" would come on. That and "Eye of the Tiger" where my two roller-skating jams (keep in mind I was like 10). Next memory was from the movie Light of Day -- which begs a shout-out for someone to REOPEN the Euclid Tavern (where it was filmed) now that I'm working just down the street from it. The next memory was her coming out out as a Lesbian. At this point in my life I was really getting into lesbian-leaning musicians (Ani, Melissa, Dar)... and coming from a hair-metal background, Joan Jett was a nice fit.

At every point, Joan was there and rockin' like few women have.

Introduce Sinner . My first exposure to the album was her new video on YouTube.com, featuring Carmen Electra as girl who really gets around in a day (with both boys and girls), but ends it with giving Joan the eye at her concert and they go away together. Very fun (and below). The album is a breath of fresh air for female punk rock, starting with the booming and politically charged "Riddles." Not often have I heard Joan get political, but she handles it very well. From there she takes you on a ride full of great guitar riffs and passionate rock.

My recommendations:
Riddles (listen for the George W. quotes at the end)
Change the World
Androgynous

If I had to say anything negative about this album, it's the album art. Okay, Joan... I know you're getting older and all, but you still look GREAT. There's no reason to flood the album cover with white.

As you can tell, I highly recommend it. If it doesn't catch you the first time, give it a couple listens and you'll realize that Joan is back!

Check out Joan Jett being interviewed on NPR talking about writing about politics and fetishes.


Joan Jett & the Blackhearts - A.C.D.C. (w/ Carmen Electra)



Joan Jett - I Love Rock & Roll (Color Version)


Posted: Tue - August 8, 2006 at 02:26 PM           |

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