Customer Reviews

Naked

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

 

 

This is a good album. Joan Jett does a great job with the original songs and the cover of Donovan's Season Of The Witch. The only song I didn't take to imediately was Science Fiction Double Feature, from her stint in the stage version of Rocky Horror..., but even that has grown on me. I was sceptical when I got this, because it's been over a year since it's release in Japan and has not been released in the states yet, but I needn't have been. If you like any of Joan Jett's albums add this to your library and you won't be disapointed. I you think $46.50 is too much to pay for any album, you can download it from her official site for $34 dollars cheaper, along with the album art, and listen to it until there is a U.S. release.

So many artists these days will surround one or two good songs with 11 or 12 songs of pure crap. Every song on this record is good, and about half are great. The amazing thing is that listenting to it from begining to end, every song flows into the next perfectly giving you a perfect hour of classic Joan Jett. It turns the good songs into great ones as a good record should. It's been the first time(since the Dictators D.F.F.D.) that one of my favorite artists put out a record as good as their early work. Joan Jett is still not only the best female rocker out there, but one of the best period.

ps- you can download the cd at joanjett.com for $12.50 and save a bunch of money on the import price of this album.

The name of the American release of Naked is Sinner & finally dropped on June 13th...Jettheads will love JJ&BHs first full fledged CD since Pure & Simple. I gave it 4 stars in it's present form but I can see giving 5 with a few minor improvements. I personally would reduce the running time down to about 50 minutes, keep tracks 1 to 9 intact, keep 2 or 3 songs from the remainder of Naked & sonically upgrade the entire USA release.
Naked is full of typical Joan Jett riffs. Look out for Right In the Middle (retitled Riddles on the Sinner CD) to connect with the VH1 crowd. Other top track are the title track & Bad Time.

Like most of the music I buy I waited to do this review until after I got a chance to listen to this CD for awhile and to hear JJ perform the music live. I'm no music expert I can't judge a CD after listening to it once, like most music my mood depends on how I receive it so I need time.

I found after all this time this CD is still one of my favorites, it hasn't worn off like so many do. Out of 16 tracks there is one that just doesn't grab me but I do not skip it either so I won't mention it.

My favorite tracks are Naked, Five, Bad Time, Turn It Around,
Everyone Knows, Tube Talkin', Right In The Middle, Can't Live Without You. I Still Love Watersign and Fetish. Androgynous and Science Fiction are kickin' to.

Lyrically it's deep, musically you get Jett's full range. From the softest to the hardest. It's one of those CDs that has something for everyone on it, and to hear and see it live is such a bonus. Jett's voice is so strong, I think she sounds better than ever actually and she's still so freaking incredible on stage. I love this CD and I do not regret a penny I invested in it, I'll even buy the American version just to check out the difference when it does get released.

Jett's career has been so spotty(with mediocre records like "Good Music" followed by much better outings like "Up Your Alley", then followed by more B-list stuff like "The Hit List"), it's difficult to assimilate "Naked" on a first listen. The hooks are easy to find, but her emotions are the same on every song(mildly p.o.'ed). The hard-rock ballad "Bad Time" is excellent, as is the semi-soft "Watersign", but "Science Fiction Double Feature" disappoints(Jett runs thru the lyrics so fast, she fails to put any irony behind them)as do the "Fetish" retreads(although the mildly erotic "Baby Blue" is a hoot). The title track and the climactic "Five"(as in "one-two-three-four-FIVE!")are both engaging. Yet, the whole enterprise has a fatigued feel. And why is this so expensive? Don't the Japanese know we know that it only costs a few cents(yen?)to manufacture a CD? Who's kidding who?

NAKED is Joan Jett's first new studio release in a decade, and while there are parts of the CD that feel like they're pulling from each of the two or three albums she started (but, for various reasons, never finished) in that ten year period, there's no denying it's good to have Jett back (the overall "everything-but-the-kitchen-sink" vibe that results from the use of the multiple sessions is only mildly distracting in a cohesive way). Her brand of no-nonsense, bare-boned rock has been greatly missed. The disc opens with the title track, a song that showcases what it is that Jett does so well. Take snarling guitars, honest, unaffected lyrics and an almost (ALMOST, mind you!) vulnerable lead vocal and you have classic Joan Jett. The same can be said about "Bad Time", the disc's second track. Sporting some awesome guitar work, this break-up song builds to a level of intensity that's gut-wrenching. By song's end, you've had the wind knocked out of you, and you know it! Next up is "Fetish", a rehashed track from a few years ago that seems to serve no other purpose than to allow Jett to say "Look at me! I'm kinky! And I'll NEVER be the girl next door!" The less said, the better. Far more enjoyable is the poppy sway of "Androgynous." The song just lopes along, joyously wrapping itself around humourous, yet wise, lyrics like "Mirror image see no damage/See no evil at all/Cupie dolls and urine stalls/Will be laughed at/The way you're laughed at now." One of NAKED'S best cuts! The same could be said about "Science Fiction Double Feature." One might be tempted to toss this off as a goofy cover, but the ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW song features a stronger, more supple, lead vocal from Jett, something she no doubt had to relearn and work at while starring in the play off Broadway. Next up are my two favorite cuts from the disc, "Right In The Middle" and "Turn It Around." With it's soaring chorus, throbbing bass line and understated percussion, "Right In The Middle" is a hit single without trying to be one - pop music is rarely this cool nowadays (I also bet this song will be killer live!). "Turn It Around" crackles with energy, melody and a hint of sensuality. This mid-tempo rocker about how easy it is to lose yourself in a relationship and questioning the real motives behind said relationship features a powerful lead vocal and some stinging guitar work. Another single waiting to happen! "Everyone Knows" is some what plodding and dated, but it's heartfelt message of being true to one's self and ignoring what everyone else may say and think comes across as honest and sincere. There's a hushed, understated quality to the beginning of "Baby Blue" that builds into a powerhouse arena-rock groove. All layered backing vocals and piercing guitars, there's a classic 60's/70's feel that's absolutely intoxicating. "Kiss On The Lips" is just Jett being noisy and t(h)rashy again, while "Watersign" is a weak power ballad. "Tube Talkin'" has a jumpy punk edge to it, and is probably the most Runaways-esque song Jett has done in years. The funny thing is....even after almost 30 years, she can still pull it off! The same can be said about her brilliant ability to pick classic cover tunes: on NAKED she's chosen "Season Of The Witch." Jett's gone with a sort of "push and pull" arrangement, with subdued vocals alternating with crashing guitars and thundering drums. It works, and it works well (if, however, you want to hear an even better version, check out Ben Taylor's from his 2002 debut, FAMOUS AMONG THE BARNS). Next is the "Monster Mix" of "Bad Times", a remix that does absolutely nothing to improve or advance the original version. "Can't Live Without You" is another punk-meets-pop classic. Once again, the guitars are up front, all gnarly and snarling, but they never drown out the sincere, almost sweet, lead vocal from an exceptionally melodic Jett. Things wrap up with "Five", a thundering rocker. And there we have it. It's good having Jett back....I just hope her next disc doesn't take a decade and three attempts to get it out, allowing her to whittle things down and tighten them up. Until then, getting NAKED will be a good way to pass the time (As per all my 2004 release reviews, I have to give the CD an additional half a star for including the lyrics).

This is a mesh of old and new. I've listened to it a few times and its a good cd. But, Joan sounds half way between bored and and trying to just throw a cd together. There are few high points,but certainly not worth the Import price!!! I bought the cd through the fanclub.The $12 downloaded version. I'm glad that I did. Its not worth more than that! Lets Hope Joan surprises us(If the new cd ever comes out!!!) with a whole new batch of songs soon! I have been a Fan since Bad Reputation and Her releases were the highlights of my Teenage years!But, This was a bit of a let down... I have the Demos of this cd and I believe most are much better than the newly recorded "Naked" versions! Do yourself a favor! If you buy this cd,buy it for the lesser Fanclub price! Hopefully a live cd will follow soon!

I don't think Joan Jett has alot to say anymore. Alot of these songs are leftovers from an unreleased Warner Brothers cd from the late 90's. There are a few good songs, but overall, nothing is great.

Joan's manager, Kenny laguna, always raves about how he and Joan own their own record company, and how they sold her first solo album out of the back of their cars etc...I'm just curious then why it took 10 years to follow up her 1994 PURE AND SIMPLE album?

Anyway-some good songs, some bad songs. I hear they are selling this at the Joan Jett concerts now ALOT cheaper-just don't make them mad-they won't sell anything to you ever again!

After reading the other reviews I was not expecting too much. I bought it anyway since I have everything else since pre-Runaways. I must tell you I got really surprised. I love it. OK, she's not yelling and speeding like before but it's a damn good album. Buy it!

This Joan Jett cd isn't really a completely new cd. Alot of these songs are from an unreleased Warner Brothers album that was scheduled for release on and off since 1997. \

Some of the songs are great- BAD TIME, FIVE, EVERYONE KNOWS, ANDROGYNOUS, but some just lay there. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE has hit maker du jour Linda Perry (of Christina Aguilera & Pink fame) helping out on this insipid track. TURN IT AROUND is almost just as bad.

I just thought after a decade, Joan Jett and her manager of 1000 years, would have put out a whole new cd. They always talk about owning their own label, but yet this took forever to get released. I hope her next cd in 2014 is better.