Unvarnished, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts first studio record in more than seven years, breaks new lyrical ground for the pioneering female rocker while remaining true to the veracious sound that Jett is known for. Jett teamed up with some stellar collaborators on Unvarnished including Laura Jane Grace of Against Me, Dave Grohl, Blackheart band members Dougie Needles and Thommy Price, and longtime songwriting partner/producer, Kenny Laguna. Soulmates to Strangers was written with Against Me singer Laura Jane Grace, with whom Jett first became acquainted while on the 2006 Warped Tour. Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters co-wrote the single Any Weather. Amazingly, the single features just the two musicians performing the song, with Jett on vocals and rhythm guitar, and Dave playing every other instrument that is on the track. Make it Back, is about the spirit that Jett saw first hand in the aftermath of Sandy. With her neighbors being some of the hardest hit, not to mention Jett being displaced in the wake of the storm, she was able to see this spirit that was really beautiful come out in all the people, and people helping each other. Among the more lighthearted commentaries is a meditation on one of today's more deplorable trends: over-sharing. Jett says, TMI concerns everybody throwing every little detail out there and is both cautionary and observational of this new reality. Unvarnished is inspired, as always, by Jett's overriding philosophy: Rock 'n' Roll is about a certain integrity...just being true to your own self.
R**.
It really is hard to grow up
It's often said that young people don't believe they will die. Strictly speaking, this is untrue. Of course they know it intellectually, but there is something to the argument that (barring some personal event that drives the point home), by and large, they don't feel it in their bones. Mortality doesn't impinge on their moment to moment world view. I know it didn't impinge on mine. When young musicians write or sing about death, they are likely do so playfully (Jim Morrison) or indulgently (Jagger/Richards "Paint it Black").A change often happens in middle age. Their references turn retrospective and thoughtful, not playful. Frank Sinatra released the album "September of My Years" in 1965, the year he turned 50. At age 49, Peggy Lee had her last big hit with "Is That All There Is?" At age 56, Bob Dylan released "Time Out of Mind," which included the melancholic refrain, "It's not dark yet, but it's getting there" on the "Not Dark Yet" track.This shift in perspective is very evident in the 55 y.o. Joan Jett's "Unvarnished." Joan always has favored simple, no-frills, back-to-basics rock-and-roll. For those of us who like that sound, her albums are reliably good. "Unvarnished" is very very good. There isn't a bad or dreary track on it, a rare feat for any artist. Yet, running through her lyrics are a reflective tone and an awareness of time, most manifestly in "Hard to Grow Up." "I think about my own mortality" is actually a lyric in the track "Fragile." The album ends with the whisper, "Life and death/the change to rearrange/life and death."I'm probably making the album sound like a downer, but it isn't at all. It rocks. Joan's current perspective simply adds a layer of richness, just as it did for Frank, Peggy, and Bob before her. If you've ever liked Joan Jett, you'll almost surely like this album, too. Recommended.
M**.
The Legend
My first "new" Joan Jett album since everything I have so far is 80's related. It doesn't disappoint. Great songs by the legend herself. Vinyl is slightly warped, but can be corrected with a record weight. Sounds really good, warm and full as only vinyl can sound. Glad I bought this as I have only heard one song (Any Weather), the rest are just as good. Get if you haven't already ;)
M**H
Joan Jett continues to rock
Joan Jett has been blasting from my stereo since her first Runaways album without Cherie Currie, the former lead singer. I didn't know the previous version and have been a fan ever since. I had a chance to meet and greet back stage at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage after the show but just did not have the courage. A friend of mine at the Anchorage Times says, "Hey Mike, she's cool." He did the preview stories for the features section. I did the review. I'm a chicken. Not worthy. Regardless, she never stopped rocking. I bought ever single album as soon as they came out. And I'm still doing it. On Unvarnished, Jett powers through the entire album. Any Weather is a great standard. Play loud. Or not. She even brings some strings into the production, quite effectively. I listened to the entire CD twice on the way to Santa Cruz. Even made Highway 1 traffic not suck so much.
P**D
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts 2013
As a long time follower since those wonderful 70's with THE RUNAWAYS,to today with Unvarnished 2013 has been a bumpy but GREAT ride with these wonderful people. Yes, there has been a new record gap from 2006 Sinner to Unvarnished 2013 but as any JETT fan will know Joan Jett & The Blackhearts were not in hiding, they have been touring non-stop testing new songs at their live shows, and the movie The Runaways etc.I know I was hearing Hard To Grow Up, TMI, at shows before the new cd came out. I was happy with what I was hearing at the shows, plus the hits of course with Crimson & Clover, Bad Rep, Do you wanna touch, I LOVE ROCK N ROLL just to name a few, I will always want to hear these no matter what.Unvarnished I love on a few levels.1. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts are back with all NEW music, like Joan Jett has said everyone is involved in Unvarnished2. I too with many, many others can relate to this cd, whether it's loss of a family, friend, pets, to Super Storm Sandy back in 2012, this is a cd that touches down on a lot of different subjects. Based on what life is really all about. You will not be disappointed!I must say I am very happy on a few different notes. I was able to score a ticket to the Unvarnished cd release party that took place in the wonderful city that never sleeps NYC at the Santos Party House on Oct 2 2013 and to hear these songs live and to be apart of the cd release party was a blast.And yes as a follower from The Runaway era, Joan Jett has gotten only better over the years, playing, singing, they have been touring non-stop, that's why I have had the chance to see them live over the years.Can you believe in just a few short years Joan Jett will be in the music business for 40years and Blackheart Records will be celebrating 35 years soon as well. Wow, and the great music catalog out there. So many wonderful songsSo, for me, I have been riding this wave with them, of course with some bumps, but mostly with happiness.To Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, you all out did yourself with Unvarnished, every song is truly incredible,I love you all and I too am very proud of this cd called UNVARNISHEDFondly A very happy fanPamela L. Hard
R**E
Enjoyable, but falls flat.
I LOVE Joan Jett and I'm happy with this purchase. Highly recommended if you're a Joan Jett fan. She sounds absolutely great, and the album is enjoyable, but it lacks variety and thus falls slightly flat. I will listen to it many times over, because I don't dislike it by any means. However, she has done much better.
W**E
Joan you had a dream in the 70's and have lived it to the fullest. Keep on rockin'
Let's be honest-Joan, from the Runaways through today, has remained true to her dream. This lady rocks and doesn't care what the music of the day is at the time. She is the premier female rocker. I could listen to her all day long and never tire-she is that good.
W**Y
Fab tunes
If you like Joan Jett you'll enjoy this
A**R
Joan Jett
Genius
B**A
Five Stars
perfect
F**Y
Five Stars
love it ,
M**S
Five Stars
Arrived on time and great music from Joan
