JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS/Greatest Hits review

JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS

GREATEST HITS

2CD SET

3.9.10

Seldom does an artist appeal to as many different musical genres as Joan Jett. 

Lovers of '70s rock and glam drool over her groundbreaking work with The Runaways.  

Punk fans love the Runaways and her gutsy, adrenaline fueled solo albums AND her production work on the Germs' sole album. 

Top 40, '80s and New Wave fans love her early '80s hits including "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", "Crimson & Clover" and others. 

Alternative fans love her for all those same reasons plus the influence she has had on scores of female-led bands that have followed in her wake.  

Classic Rock fans love her for her dedication to the true spirit of Rock 'n' Roll and for keeping the Rock flame alive, well and brightly lit. 

Me?  I love Joan Jett for all the above reasons... and for the fact that she has more killer songs than most bands before or since. There's not a Joan Jett album on the market that isn't filled with conviction, passion and fun.  You see, I love albums that sound as fun to make as they are to listen to and Joan might be a serious Rock 'n' Roller, but she always seems to be having fun. And whether or not you've thought of that, it is what makes a great record that much greater!

Joan Jett And The Blackhearts' Greatest Hits is one hell of a fun ride.  While all 20 tracks could have easily fit on one CD, the idea to break it up into a 2CD set is brilliant.  From the slightly 'vinyl worn' look of the CD  cover to the finely compiled set of tunes, this release puts the 'album'/LP experience back in the hands of the music buyer, no matter what format you purchase it on. (this release is also available on VINYL for those who are looking for the ultimate Joan Jett experience). 

All the hits are here including the aforementioned "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and "Crimson & Clover" plus true classics like "Bad Reputation", "I Hate Myself For Loving You", "The French Song", "Light Of Day", "Everyday People" and many more.  Personal faves include "Fake Friends", "Backlash" and "(I'm Gonna) Run Away", which are amazing Pop nuggets that are considered true classics at Casa Spaz.  In fact, every song here is a classic.  Not a dud in the bunch.  From Punk-fueled rockers to Power Pop gems, Joan Jett is the fucking bomb!

Amongst the 21 tracks are re-recordings of three songs ("You Drive Me Wild", 'School Days" and "Love Is Pain") plus the previously unreleased Punk gem "I Want You". Eight of these songs are due to appear in the forthcoming Runaways biopic.

Now, with said Runaways film set to debut, the spotlight is back on Joan.  But let's be honest, she's about the only real light in Rock 'n' Roll these days. Joan Jett has integrity.  And balls.  Well, not literally, but you know what I mean.

All hail Joan Jett.  Rock 'n' Roll survivor and savior.

End of my love letter to Joan Jett,
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS/Greatest Hits (CD and LP) available March 9th, 2010!

JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS

Greatest Hits

2 CD set

2 LP set

2010 two CD collection from one of the greatest Rock 'n' Roll artists of our generation, female or otherwise. Includes all her hits, re-recordings of three tracks ('You Drive Me Wild', 'School Days' and 'Love Is Pain') plus the previously unreleased 'I Want You'. Joan Jett has transcended genres and generations, becoming a respected Rock icon while doing it all her own way. From her days with The Runaways to her successful (and long-lasting) solo career, Joan personifies the Rock 'n' Roll dream. This two disc collection features 21 tracks including eight songs featured in the 2010 film The Runaways. Contains the hits 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll', 'Bad Reputation', 'I Hate Myself For Loving You', 'Cherry Bomb', 'Light Of Day', 'Fake Friends' and many more. 

Available from your local independent record store!

Please visit www.cimsmusic.com to find the one nearest you!

GIRL IN A COMA-The Videos

OK, so I love GIRL IN A COMA's new album TRIO B.C. It is most definitely going to finish in my Top Ten of 2009 list (it's hovering in the Top 3 now). This album just keeps getting better with each repeated spin on my CD player and iPod!

So, I'm happy to be able to share two new videos from the girls so YOU can get an idea of what they are all about (that is, if you haven't fallen under their spell already!).

I must admit that I would have preferred more shots of the band miming to "Static Mind" than what ended up in the video, but I won't complain! On the other hand, the video for "El Monte" matches the mood of the song... and it features plenty of screen time from Nina so I most certainly will NOT complain about that, either!

So, enjoy two slabs of wonderful audio visuals from Girl In A Coma:

Still in a coma,

Stephen SPAZ Schnee

GIRL IN A COMA/Trio B.C. Review

When I heard GIRL IN A COMA's first album, Both Before I'm Gone (Blackheart Records), I was impressed by the songs, energy and musicianship but it wasn't enough to blow me away. I certainly loved the way they wore their musical influences on their sleeves and shot a youthful feminine energy into the tired male-dominated Alternative Rock scene. As much as I wanted to LOVE them, I could only LIKE them... alot.

Well, what a difference an album makes!

Trio B.C., the Texas trio's sophomore album, is a major leap forward for the band and one of the finest albums I've heard in eons. Instead of wearing their influences on their sleeves, they've covered them with tattoos and become a truly original band with their own unique GIAC sound. Vocalist/guitarist Nina Diaz may have a voice that might take a moment or two to get used to (sort of a cross 'tween Bjork and early Gwen Stefani), but she now sounds more confident and sexy than ever.

Alongside bandmates Jenn Alva (bass) and sister Phanie Diaz (drums), Nina and GIAC's songs are beautiful things, filled with atmosphere, emotion and a tenderness not found on their debut album. Now, this isn't 'tenderness' in a fake, convoluted American Idol kind of way. This is 'tenderness' that is raw, emotional and sometimes scary. It reaches into the listener's psyche and stirs things around a bit. It is comforting but also confrontational.

The melodies are both haunting and extremely memorable. The girls have traded their 'rock out' combat boots (figuratively speaking) for more comfortable footwear and tend to concentrate more on melody and song structure this time around, which helps to accent the songs' rich emotion, adding texture and a shimmering beauty to the tracks.

Standouts cuts include "Pink Lemonade", "Static Mind", "BB", "Vino" and "Baby Boy", but I've got to be honest: this is an album filled to the brim with standout tracks! My favorite songs change from day to day, so it's hard to really focus on one or two.

While not exactly playing the commercial card, Trio B.C. could be a huge monster of a record. Let me rephrase that: Trio B.C. IS a huge monster of a record. It's in my Top Ten list already and I don't see it leaving it's comfy position by the end of the year.

So, now I absolutely LOVE Girl In A Coma and anxiously await their 3rd album... although I reckon I'll be waiting awhile since this album is only two weeks old!

Life is good!

Stephen SPAZ Schnee