My Amazon Reviews: Heart "Little Queen"

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").

     

My Amazon Reviews: Heart "Dog & Butterfly"

Critical Heart  
4 Out of 5 Stars

"Dog and Butterfly" was Ann and Nancy Wilson's big statement album; proof that they not only rocked as hard as the big boys, but could be as artistically satisfying. The original album was divided into a "Dog" side and a "Butterfly" side, with the rockers on side D and the softer material on side B. It's easily the best of the Heart albums prior to the 80's big hair makeover.

They were playing around with ideas, which meant that a little bit of funk snuck in on "Hijinx" and the hit, "Straight On." They still could pound out that Zepplin Sisters act with "Cook With Fire," and "High Time." It is however, side two where the sisters really shine. The title track and "Mistral Wind" are bona fide classics, with "Mistral Wind" again bridging that Led Zepplin divide between heavy rock and poignant ballads.

"Dog And Butterfly" was also the last Heart album to showcase the original band. Guitarist Roger Fisher left after this album, and his rock guitar really did give Heart a large part of its voice. Proof of that is in the bonus additional track of "Heartless" live, its his lead guitar that gives the song its fire (and for more evidence, just think of the opening 20 seconds of "Barracuda"). Together, this line-up of Heart produced many classic songs, and on "Dog and Butterfly," Heart's best album.

My Amazon Reviews: Heart "Red Velvet Car"

Baby, They Can Still Drive Your Car  
3 Out of 5 Stars

"Red Velvet Car" is Heart trying to revert to the days of "Dog and Butterfly" and "Little Queen." There's plenty of songs here that hearken to the classic sound, but for the most part, don't hold up. Thankfully, they've abandoned the overproduced pomp of the Capitol years entirely.

Most likely culprit is aging; you can't work up that hormonal rush at 60 that you could at 20. And lordy, is "Dreamboat Annie" really almost 40 years old? Time has not taken their vocal prowess away, as Ann and Nancy still sound terrific. It's also not for lack of effort, as songs like "Sand" and "Safronia's Mark" could be from the 70's. Like so many bands still slugging it out after decades, "Red Velvet Car" bears the sweet smell of polished professionalism. I enjoy it, but there's nothing here that made me think Heart was pushing themselves.

Which leaves the review at three stars for average, with a little extra credit to Heart for at least trying to do something new. Consider the alternative ala Journey or Rod Stewart; reduced to albums of hackneyed classics or re-recording your own material. "Red Velvet Car" may not be a fully restored model, but it's also not a false re-creation.