Heart-Red Velvet Car Review

It's hard to believe it has been six years since the release of the fantastic Jupiter's Darling album. Heart and the sisters Wilson have been very busy with live performances, DVDs, solo albums and various side projects. So are they still relevant as Heart after a six year absence from the studio?

After hearing the opening track from their new album Red Velvet Car "There You Go" it was easy to determine that not only are Nancy and Ann Wilson still relevant, they are still making vital rocking music just as they always have. As Ann said in an Amazon Video - "If we stop making music we become a jukebox" and I don't think they are about to rest on their laurels and let that happen. When you hear "WTF" it makes the statement, "We still rock and are not going away." I hear that message loud and clear throughout this outstanding recording. I have to admit I have never been disappointed by anything these talented ladies produce and this release is no exception to that high standard.

The title track is reminiscent of the Dog and Butterfly recording period while the rocking "WTF" is along the lines of rock classics like "Barracuda". The band thinks this a record for the times and after a complete run through of the album I must agree it is spot on and one their best studio albums to date. Certainly their legacy follows them wherever they go however this is fresh material that reminds you that great musicians and songwriters are not done until they say so. In this case it sounds like the Wilson sisters and their crackerjack band are showing no signs of slowing down. The album features equal measures of rocking electric guitars and acoustic flourishes with mandolins with all the trimmings. It's all here.

Nancy's elegant acoustic masterpiece "Hey You" shows the gentler and diverse Heart at their very best. "Sunflower" is another track destined to be a hit as well while "Wheels" brings to fore the reality of the crazy world we now live in with rocking angst. They can rock you or handle you with kid gloves and make you feel all warm and fuzzy. Being realistic and sticking to their formula is the reason Heart has been so successful for so long. You know going in that what you will hear is a nice variety and different paced compositions that would satisfy any rock listener's demanding palette.

Exceptional musicianship, incredible emotional vocals, energetic and down to earth lyrics, that is rock 'n' rock and that is Heart again back strong as ever on Red Velvet Car.

5/5 Stars

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-MuzikReviews.com Founder

August 31, 2010

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Tracks:
01. There You Go
02. WTF
03. Red Velvet Car
04. Queen City
05. Hey You
06. Wheels
07. Saffronia's Mark
08. Death Valley
09. Sunflower
10. Sand