“SINNER” Another offering from Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. I say offering because Joan hasn’t released a “whole” CD in like 10 years. She was pretty consistent in the 80’s and even most of the 90’s, she has been producing a chosen few for her label.

I think without air play Joan went unheard to crowds, that if they liked Joan Jett, they would have liked her newer projects. I re-noticed Joan when I heard her cd, just called “Album”, it’s always going to be one of my favorite pieces, she’s done. I also love “ Glorious results of a Misspent Youth”.

The last whole complete album, (yes, I say album) Joan did is “Pure and Simple”. I think Joan did that after doing the tour with the “Git’s”, members touring as “Evil Stig”. I liked the “Stig” album a lot, I hadn’t heard Joan rock that hard, well, I never heard her scream like that. The “Evil Stig” album is a must have. Then a bunch of time went by. I was always checking out the record stores...shit! Same ole’...greatest hits stuff.

“Flashback” had just enough stuff to lure you in, but it was still music you’ve already heard. I bought it for “Rebel, Rebel”. Joan had a recent release with 4 new songs on “Fetish”, a sort of hardcore Joan, A Joan who didn’t care anymore what people thought.
also she seemed to be trying to break down some walls.

Her touring is mostly festival. I drove 70 miles to see her at a art’s n crafts fair. The fair was nothing, but to get a seat or a spot to jump around. I found out, get there early and get in line, I saw Joan 3 times, sort of all at once, Oceanside, Long Beach and Summerfest. Even though the set lists were the same, I have seen Joan, no matter what size audience she’s playing for she will whip that crowd into a FRENZY!

Some of the songs on “Sinner”, I saw her play live. She had included a lot of the new songs on “Fetish” in her set. The songs on “Sinner” are very much like the Fetish cd There’s some anthems and definitely some excellent classic Blackhearts rock n’ roll. But each song is saying something. “Riddles” takes a stab at Bush, it speaks of “lack of” and “double- talk”.

She also takes on the Sweets classic A.C.D.C. and gives it a real edge. i know there's a video to this song that has joan and carmen electra getting close. look for that. after hearing the cd i know she going to do a no holds video. the whole sinner album is in the same vein. the songs have that hard edge classic blackhearts sound, and the softer songs like “Watersign” and “Naked” she has a real lure in her throat. This woman just oozes sex.

The complete cd is an amazing piece of work. there isn’t a dull note on the whole thing. Kathleen Hanna shows up on “Tubetalkin”
a fiery song with a chorus we bet money on. the first listen we thought is joan saying : “you fuck you fuck you fuck you” but on the lyric sheet it said “you bark you bark you bark you bark you bite” but i am still singing it with the fucks instead.

i’m giving it anA+! mostly because if there were any walls left up joan blew them all down.her subject matter is definitely on my agenda. and she is picking away at some pretty powerful hate mongers. good for you joan!

Joan also does a weekend radio show for sirius radio she is on tour now but she usually is on saturdays at noon and sundays at 2:00pm. the radio show is great cause joan was living in L.A. during.it's punk heyday and plays alot of music from that time. She also played alot of cuts off “Sinner” on her show. I was glad to hear that her music was being played with all this music that is my favorite stuff. My only complaint is she needs to talk more!