Heart - Beautiful Broken - Review

Heart is back with a new album...well almost. What Heart delivers is another take on some of their personal favorites from earlier albums. Here they present newly recorded versions of several songs that they felt they could improve, songs that they believe are still relevant.

In an earlier interview Nancy had this to say, as far as how this new album came together...“I was listening for the quality control of it all, and those songs like ‘Johnny Moon’ really stood out to me” - “The same with ‘One Word’ and a couple of songs like that. ‘Down On Me’ and ‘Sweet Darlin’ ’ were the other ones that really stood out to me. Those songs are really nice songs. They’re really well crafted, sort of quality songs, and we had sort of forgotten about a lot of those songs. I was like ‘Wow, we really worked hard on those songs.’ We were careful when we were writing them to make them songs of substance.” - Nancy Wilson

After the sisters (Heart) signed a new deal with Concord, label executives John Virant and John Burk suggested that they do an album that would include new versions of songs from their vast back catalog.

“We were happy to redo some of those songs, like ‘Sweet Darlin’ and ‘One Word,’ just such a great opportunity” - “A lot of times you miss a song (and feel like) ‘Oh God, it’s too bad that song never got its day.’ And to be able to go back and do it again was really a total pleasure.” - Nancy Wilson

While talking about the songs included on the new album, Ann had this to say...

"Those songs may have fallen through the cracks, in a way, because of where radio was at the time when they were first released."

"Rediscovering those songs, I found ways they emotionally still speak to me." - Ann Wilson

The overall here is that the album is being touted as having 3 new songs, when in fact there are only 2 and one of those is a cover. The title track is being called new because of additional lyrics by James Hetfield, but the song, although improved is not really new, and it still does sound much like the original.

The song “Two” is a cover that has Nancy on the lead vocal and this is one of the new songs. Finally, there is “I Jump” and this new song is a collaboration with the Wilson's and Bassist Dan Rothchild. The songs are all good, and the album rocks. The performances are clean and tight, the vocals are sharp and Ann-edgy, although age is becoming more noticeable, she is still a rock powerhouse.

Where this album is weak is in the production and lack of imagination, it's just straight forward rock. The title track is a good choice for a single and Heart has improved this song, but it's still too short. They should have added a verse extended the break section or come up with longer intro to the song. They could have done this and it would have made the effort better, but in the end it's one of the missed opportunities here. I still feel like this is an album worthwhile. It debuted at 105 on Billboard 2 weeks ago and has since disappeared from the top 200. I think this is because the album just doesn't have anything new to offer, and when fans are reading about an album of songs that are essentially do-overs, re-makes, it loses appeal.

The excitement of getting a new album is not here at all with this album. Artists that produce their own work seldom do themselves justice. There really is an art involved in being a producer as well, it comes from a different thinking perspective, and a different musical experience that most artists do not have or recognize. In my view artists that produce their own work, are really going cheap. Fans recognize this, and it's a sure put off.

I am and have always been a fan of Heart and the Wilson's and always will be, but in writing this review I felt it important to set it straight, as it is. There are many other reviews circulating out there that are PAID reviews that are misleading...beware.

I still believe there is more great music to be heard from Heart, but it's not on this album.

Better yet are the Heart sisters last 2 albums: “Red Velvet Car” and “Fanatic.”

Beautiful Broken Track List:

1."Beautiful Broken" (original version on Fanatic Deluxe Edition) (Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Ben Mink, James Alan Hetfield) – 2:24

2."Two" (Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith, Jesse "Corparal" Wilson, Adam "Royal Z" Waldman) – 4:22

3. “Sweet Darlin” (original version on Bébé le Strange) (A. Wilson) – 3:52

4."I Jump" (A. Wilson, N. Wilson, Dan Rothchild) – 3:51

5."Johnny Moon" (original version on Passionworks) (A. Wilson, N. Wilson, Sue Ennis) – 4:14

6."Heaven" (original version on Alive in Seattle) (A. Wilson, N. Wilson, Ennis) – 5:23

7."City's Burning" (original version on Private Audition) (A. Wilson, N. Wilson, Ennis) – 3:49

8."Down on Me" (original version on Bébé le Strange) (A. Wilson, N. Wilson, Ennis) – 5:12

9."One Word" (original version on Private Audition) (N. Wilson) – 3:33

10."Language of Love" (original version on Passionworks) (A. Wilson, N. Wilson, Ennis) – 3:34

Rate this album 2¾ Stars

If you're not really up to date with Heart or want to find out more, visit their website at

http://www.heart-music.com/

The new album arrived on July 8^th just prior to their tour. Hope you get a chance to check them out, they are great!

Heart's Rock Three For All U.S. Tour schedule with Cheap Trick & Joan Jett:

July 16 – Maryland Heights, Mo., Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
July 17 – Noblesville, Ind., Klipsch Music Center
July 19 – Chicago, Ill., FirstMerit Bank Pavilion @ Northerly Island
July 21 – Burgettstown, Pa., First Niagara Pavilion
July 22 – Cincinnati, Ohio, Riverbend Music Center
July 24 – Mansfield, Mass., Xfinity Center
July 25 – Wallingford, Conn., The Dome At Toyota Presents The Oakdale Theater
July 27 – Darien Center, N.Y., Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 28 – Wantagh, N.Y., Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
July 30 – Bethel, N.Y., Bethel Woods Center For The Arts
July 31 – Camden, N.J., BB&T Pavilion
Aug. 15 – Kansas City, Mo., Starlight Theater
Aug. 18 – Dallas, Texas, Gexa Energy Pavilion
Aug. 19 – The Woodlands, Texas, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Aug. 21 – Phoenix, Ariz., Ak-Chin Pavilion
Aug. 23 – Inglewood, Calif., Forum
Aug. 24 – Mountain View, Calif., Shoreline Amphitheater
Aug. 26 – Auburn, Wash., White River Amphitheater
Aug. 27 – Ridgefield, Wash., Sunlight Supply Amphitheater
Aug. 30 – Morrison, Colo., Red Rocks Amphitheater
Sept. 8 – Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Sept. 10 – Holmdel, N.J., PNC Bank Arts Center
Sept. 11 – Bristow, Va., Jiffy Lube Live
Sept. 13 – Virginia Beach, Va., Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater At Virginia Beach
Sept. 14 – Raleigh, N.C., Walnut Creek Amphitheater
Sept. 16 – Charlotte, N.C., PNC Music Pavilion
Sept. 19 – Nashville, Tenn., Ascend Amphitheater
Sept. 20 – Pelham, Ala., Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Sept. 23 – West Palm Beach, Fla., Perfect Vodka Amphitheater