Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Jett still employs glam-era glitter drums and lean, beefy rock riffs like few others, but this LP fails to completely gel, perhaps because of the tame 1980s production and a lack of breakthrough tracks. That said, Joan shows her usual smarts and good taste by doing a loving cover of the Modern Lovers' pre-punk teen classic "Roadrunner." Cool chick.

On a Joan Jett album, the pop touches should always be kept to a minimum. In the ideal
mix, most of the melody should come from hooky but rock-hard riffs, without much frill on
top. Jett's earlier LPs were terrific because they hit that tough balance dead center. But
for her fifth outing, producers Ken Laguna and Thom Panunzio have added too much
sweetener. Edges have been planed down everywhere. Nowhere does Jett shri... More >

The title signifies something cruder than coverees Hendrix, Richman, and Beach Boys, who aren't likely to show up on WNCN or WPAT themselves, and its moral certitude is what you have to love about her. She's a bit simple, our Joan, but so undoubting she can get away with transporting Route 128 to the West Side Highway. And even though only three or so of these selections--"Good Music," "Black Leather," maybe "Just Lust" or "This Means War," none of the covers--will be on her song list in 1990, it's heartening to know she'll be there in 1990, and that she'll sound like she did in 1982. (Grade - B+)