Revolution of the Heart

Howard Jones | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 6, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B000AA4ISK
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,518 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Revolution Of The Heart + 3 Bonus Tracks (CD Album) by Howard Jones - Slipcase, 13 Tracks: 1. Celebrate Our Love 4:42, 2. Respected 5:37, 3. Just Look At You Now 4:21, 4. Revolution Of The Heart 3:15, 5. I've Said Too Much 5:06, 6. The Presence Of Other 6:15, 7. Black & White 5:25, 8. Another Chance 5:49, 9. Stir It Up 3:31, 10. For You, See Me 8:34, Bonus Tracks: 11. Just Look At You Now (Dba Mix) 7:37, 12. Revolution Of The Heart (John B Mix) 7:55, 13. For You, See Me (John B Mix) 6:31 - Producer: Robbie Bronnimann

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Does Anybody Love Anybody Anyway?, September 22, 2005

By 

Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Revolution of the Heart (Audio CD)

So Howard Jones returns after eight years with "Revolution Of The Heart", and you can tell by looking at the front and back covers that this is an attempt to return to his electronic roots. With a blonde mowhawk now instead of orange, Howard appears like a middle-aged jet setter on a Friday night in Los Angeles, walking the Sunset Strip. Yet, the music herein would probably not appeal to those people. No, Howard lyrically refines the views he laid down on his two best albums, 1984's "Human's Lib" and 1985's "Dream Into Action". Themes of making peace, getting in touch with one's feelings, finding insight into one's behaviors, anti-war messages, religious messages and spirituality are all over each song.

Howard works his pen well in writing. I don't think he's had something he was this enthusiastic to say since 1989's "Cross That Line". He wisely avoids past mistakes (see 1992's "The Voices Are Back" from "In The Running") to make statements that hit their marks.

What about the music? Well, having seen Howard three times in concert, and owning all of his albums, "Revolution Of The Heart" is a bit behind the times technologically. In fact, I felt Howard has somehow fallen out of touch with a genre he used to be a spearhead for. There's nothing cutting edge as what you might find on "Human's Lib" or "Dream Into Action", but he manages to rise above mediocrity with repeated listens. I'd say this falls somewhere beneath the aforementioned albums but above the dismal "In The Running", "Working In The Back Room" and "People". So, it is a return to form of sorts, but more like a step in the right direction rather than a complete success. He really ought to take his cues from other New Wavers such as Human League's 2001 effort "Secrets", Roland Orzabal's (of Tears For Fears) 2001 "Tomcats Screaming Outside", or even Depeche Mode or Kraftwerk.

As it stands, I don't think he will have any recognition in the charts in the U.S. There's nothing here that would fit right now, but I'd say the most likely single would be "Just Look At You Now" with "Revolution Of The Heart" possibly being a second single. I also enjoyed "The Presence Of Other", "Black & White" and the 8 1/2 minute epic "For You, See Me".

My hope would be that Howard continue to make more cutting edge electronic music rather than playing it safe. Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins certainly evolved into Babble and now International Obsever, and Howard could, with his own publishing company and label, make some very interesting and experimental music if he so desired. But, for now we are left with this cd, which will have to suffice until Mr. Jones challenges himself more. Maybe he needs a producer like Rick Rubin, or maybe he should try Rupert Hine again.

If you are a fan of Howard Jones, I'd recommend buying this, I don't think you will be disappointed, but I also don't think you will be amazed.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Look At Him Now!!, September 15, 2005

By 

James C. Laubhan "yankinoz" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Revolution of the Heart (Audio CD)

Just a correction to a previous reviewer.. Howards last commercial CD was not "Human", it was "People", which is a GREAT CD.. on "Revoution" Howard returns to his synth pop days of the mid to late 80's, virtually abandoning his "adult contempoary" style of say 95-2003. Results do not disappoint, and it's just amazing to me that his voice never seems to age. He sounds younger and more vibrant (even though some of these songs are a bit dark for HoJo), than in 1985. First 4 songs will make you both smile and dance big time though, and I hope these find their way to clubs and radio stations in the US.. Whatever style Howard puts out, he knows how to please his fans, and that's whats kept me listening for 21 years. 80's bands and performers seem stuck in the past, but Howard has always remained fresh, weather as a solo artist, executive producer for up and coming artists like DBA, or Martin Grech, or record label exec with his own D-TOX. Any fan of Howards early work will find this CD particuarly enjoyable, so pick up a copy and enjoy! Well done HoJo, and welcome back!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HJ gets complicated...finally!, November 13, 2005

By 

K. Gorham "bougainvillea" (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Revolution of the Heart (Audio CD)

What happens when you really listen to a man who has something to say? You fall in love. That was my experience with HJ (affectionately called) when "What Is Love?" came out. The lines "... I know you doubt my love for you but I don't mind...can anybody love and want so much that they will never fear, never worry never be sad; the answer is they cannot love as much, nobody can; this is why I don't mind you doubting...love is letting people be just what they want to be..." Those words still melt my heart to this day and so just when it seemed like Howard was gone...he's back!

I always felt that his music never reached the level of his writing, but with this album, he definitely has become 'musically complicated'. I would give this album a 10 if I could! He has returned to synth pop, but with a trance-like edge to it. Believe me, it works! He has tracks you can definitely dance to, as well as mid and down-tempo beats that are catchy. Personally, I liked all the songs, but the first 7 are the best and then the last song "For You, See Me" is really good, as he loops the title around a mixture of up and down-tempo beats- it works!

He is truly becoming in this album and his potential has been reached. When you see someone after they have been gone awhile, the return is all the much sweeter when they deliver something this good!