Customer Reviews

I Love Rock N Roll

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Given Joan Jett's influences and admirees, such as Chuck Berry, the Coasters, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Tommy James, when that woman belts out "I Love Rock And Roll" I've never heard a truer word sung. Well, maybe I have, but I wonder how many people in 1982 knew that right off from those beginning guitar riffs and claps, that throaty growl of a voice, and the backup vocalists on the chorus, that they would be listening to one of the biggest hits of the 1980's and putting who knows how many dimes in the jukebox. Chances are, this song was such a hit, many people were left thinking "I Love Joan Jett" as well. This second version of the Arrows hit done with the Blackhearts instead of what Joan did with Steve Jones and Paul Cook has a lot more punch, grinding guitars, percussive energy.

The album is consistent in applying Joan's influences, particularly 60's rock with a thick layer of dynamite hard-rock attack of guitar, drums, and kick-a** vocals from the woman herself, as seen in the lovers' drama of "(I'm Gonna) Run Away."

"Love Is Pain" is a throwback to 60's girl-groups like the Shangri-Las or the Angels, but is as blistering as the title track.

The cover of the Halos' "Nag" duplicates the sounds of the original, down to the pause and one of the Blackhearts speaking a line on cue, almost like "Summertime Blues." Also here as a bonus track is the same song but with assistance from the Coasters, whose sound this is a takeoff on.

The other big hit from this album was her Top Ten cover of Tommy James' #1 hit "Crimson And Clover," and the Blackhearts' harmonies in the refrain bring an 80's hard rock update while giving a nod to the original.

Her cover of the Dave Clark Five's boot-stomping "Bits And Pieces" is another standout due to the beginning stand-alone drums and alternating vocals between Joan and the Blackhearts.

For an earful of Bo Diddley-type rockabilly done with the Jett sound, check out "Be Straight." And I'll be straight and say it rocks out like the others. And for something more punk mixed with a "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" energy, there's "You're Too Possessive."

The Christmas song "Little Drummer Boy" was on version 1 of I Love Rock And Roll as the album was released around Christmas-time. After the holidays, it was later replaced by the B-side of "Crimson And Clover," the engaging "Oh Woe Is Me," featuring a loud alley cat screech from Jett, also present here.

As for the extra tracks, the cover versions of "Louie Louie" and "Summertime Blues" also ended up on Flashback, but the latter is particularly dynamite. A live version of "You Don't Know What You've Got" from Bad Reputation is included.

What's also intriguing are songs recorded during the sessions that never made it. "Rebel Rebel" is on Flashback, "Wait For Me" had to wait a decade or so before turning up on Notorious, and "I Love Playing With Fire" ended up on the controversy-laden Album (hints: hidden track, "Star Star", yank from shelves).

Probably the definitive Joan Jett studio album, as it eventually went diamond, thanks to its #1 title track that spent nearly two months on the charts. Well, gotta run. Gotta put another dime in the jukebox, baby, or I'll be in pieces, bits and pieces.

The title track "I Love Rock N' Roll" is a legend, and her vocals really come to the fore here - it is a once in a lifetime track. The rest of the album has some reasonably decent tunes such as "Run Away", "Nag", and "Crimson And Clover". The rest however, is a little on the weak side. The lyrics are sometimes immature and somewhat meaningless. On the other hand, those tracks are still listeneable because her vocals are good.

If you are new to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, expect pure and simple rock and roll, slightly on the heavy side, and with appeal to the younger audience. "Bad Reputation" or one of their "Best Of" compilations may be a good place to start in preference to getting this album first.

This album is practically a landmark event, signaling the end of punk music as a source of toneless anger. It was replaced by the joyous anthem on this album, the very musical and melodically insinuating "I love rock n roll", now one of the biggest songs of all time in rock music history. When Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I love rock n roll" on televison in the UK in 1975, a light went off in her head that sparked a fire that influnced the sound of the 1980's in a big way.
The echoes of this album resound in so much of the music that followed in it's wake. There is so much good music and energy on this album I had to give it full marks.
To this day "I love rock n roll" is my favorite song.

Joan Jett has always seemed to me a little desperate for approval and acceptance, which is probably why she gives us the pulse-pounding "I Love Rock-N-Roll" but follows it up with a lot of safe filler. "(I'm Gonna) Run Away" is a memorable little chunk of bubblegum, "Victim Of Circumstance" has some amusing bad-girl lyrics, "Little Drummer Boy" turns the Christmas anthem on it's tail, but the record is basically low on originality and flavor. Jett would get her fire back 2 years later on ALBUM; this record treads the middle ground between punky rebelliousness and rock star wanna-be.

My taste in music was developed during the late 50's to mid 70's. I'd heard of Joan Jett, may have heard my younger brothers' tapes. Was aware she had done "Crimson & Clover," and was curious. Bought the CD. Ten seconds into the first cut, "I Love Rock & Roll" and I was hooked. She's R&R incarnate. Superb performer.

Joan Jett has been around for quite some years now and has proven herself as a great rock n roller. She has showen how its done and with her Suzi Quatro mannerisms and moves, Joan brought Suzi Quatro to the USA...Joan is also is a musician in her own right.

She Rocks!

I feel very comfortable to be a punk rocker, as by that time I was only 19 and since then I listen to punk rock a lot. Joan Jett is a must, she joined with people like Ramones, Blondie and Sex Pistols, that means, the best of rock and roll. She's got such a good taste! This one here got superb hits like nag and i love rock'n roll... Joan Jett and the Runaways are among my favorite ones.

This one will always have a special place in my heart cuz it was at the HEIGHT of its popularity when I graduated from high school. In fact, The Blackhearts played my hometown when "I Love Rock and Roll" was at the #1 spot on the chart. I love that she didn't change the lyrics in "Crimson and Clover". This is the album that started it all for a lot of us. In a few different ways, it was a real wake up call! Thank you, Joan! My first tattoo was of a black heart with the words "Love Is Pain" over it, which is one of the best songs on this album. Joan's guitar tone CRUNCHES on every song, and we like it like that. "Oh Woe Is Me" (a track which replaced "Little Drummer Boy" in later pressings) is probably my other fave song because of Joan's hoarse-style of singing/screaming. I'm looking forward to a much longer musical relationship with the band.

My vinyl copy was beat up so I picked up the CD reissue. Several great new additions, including the old classics, Louie, Louie and Summertime Blues. Unfortunately, the sound is less than ideal. A direct comparison (CD to vinyl) revealed the vinyl to possess far greater depth. I advise Joan Jett fans to wait for a good digitally remastered version of this CD. This one was released in 1998, but it isn't a good transfer.

As a college student I am sick and tired of all this pop (crud). I'm also a little skeptical of those artist that are going to "bring rock back" as many music critics seem to hope. I just don't have the time or money to invest fully in the local and underground scenes. So I've looked to the past to keep rocking. This album makes me happy everytime I listen to it. There are parts that drag a little, but in general worth every penny. Joan is an amazing performer. I just wish B. Spears hadn't covered I Love Rock and Roll. I nearly cried. Great album.