First off, some of you are saying - HEART?!? umm, they are still around. Well, YES - but this is their first studio album in 10 years so your thought process on their vanishing has some validity.

When I found out there was going to be a new album, I was quite excited because there was such a push for them to rock more. The end result hits that pretty well. The album is entirely written by Anne and Nancy Wilson with new guitarist Craig Bartock (with the exception of one song). They have an entire new group of “Blue Bloods” - their backing guys with them.

My first impression was 2 things before I listened to one note, nice packaging and 16 songs - whoa!

And that 16 song count I believe counts against it.

After popping it in my CD player, the first track Make Me starts off VERY vintage Heart with Nancy’s acoustic work and the addition of electric guitar, bass and drums. Good start. As a matter of fact the first 3 songs are very good and the running order good - Oldest Story in the World RAWKS! and Things is a FUN acoustic diddy featuring Nancy singing - very Led Zep III. I think the new rhythm section helps. They have Ben Smith from their Lovemonger days and Mike Inez from Alice in Chains on Bass.

The album was produced by Nancy with Craig. And I think this is part of the problem. I think it is more the mix then anything - kinda flat - a lack of dynamics (some exceptions aside). It is more unpolished (in a good way) and does not suffer from the over production of the 80’s material.

The other downside is 16 tracks - really 11 or 12 and a slight reordering and it would have been MUCH stronger. After the great 3 tracks that open there is a hap-hazardness to it. There are some real gems - Move On is a nice rocker and Vanglorious will translate VERY well live. But on the other side , tracks 10-14 seem to blur their existence.

Also there is no real stand out melodies. More of an ALBUM feel to a lot of the tracks. You can sample pieces of every track at their website (under MEDIA then AUDIO).

Here are the pros of the album:

1. They wrote it
2. They REALLY rock!
3. There are some really good tracks

And the CONS

1. TOO many tracks - a refined track list and a reorder would really strengthen it
2. A couple strong melodies would help
3. A better mix

Overall - a B-/C+ album. Would be fun to make “best of” Jupiters Darling. The mix kills a lot of what could be stronger tracks. Hopefully, they will translate better live.