If the real thing don't do the trick?4 Out of 5 Stars
After the dynamite debut of their "Dreamboat Annie" album (and the unofficial "Magazine," Heart went for the bulls eye on "Little Queen." From the explosive opener "Barracuda," you'd be thinking they had pulled it off. With a riff so distinctive (there was a guitar pedal named after the downbending sound in the opening chords), the band's proclamation that they were somewhere between Led Zepplin and a folk act seemed to be coming true.
Well, almost. Despite the cover of "Stairway To Heaven (Live)" as a bonus track, Heart was still feeling out their potential. As a rocker, "Kick it Out" is about halfway there, but the folkie plucking of "Love Alive" captures the band at a high point. "Little Queen" also contains some of Heart's better compositions, like the title track and "Dream Of The Archer." Ann's voice is powerful and guitarist Roger Fisher (who co-wrote most of the songs) has that Jimmy Page thing down pat.
"Little Queen" may not be Heart's best (IMHO, that goes to "Dog and Butterfly") but it is a must have for fans of the band, along with "Dreamboat Annie." This is still the raucous Heart, before the 90's polished them up and laid in the synthesizers for "Heart" (featuring "Alone").
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