JOAN JETT: I Love Rock'n Roll (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

This album is the one that will make the whole world discover Joan Jett since the eponymous title will remain 8 weeks at the top of the American Billboard and will touch the tops of the charts in the European countries. More than 10 million albums were sold for this interplanetary success.

Released at the end of 1981, its initial version featured a track 'Little Drummer Boy' (a nice and entertaining Christmas song where the drums are in the center) which was quickly replaced by 'Oh Woe Is Me'. This one will reappear on the 1992 reissue and will still be present on the third release in 1998, which makes 5 bonus tracks including a 'Louie, Louie' that Joan Jett will admit she never wanted to record.

For the record, Joan had tried to give the famous eponymous title to the Runaways who didn't want it... Too bad for them ! 'Crimson And Clover', as for him, will also make a noticed career in the charts and, with the hindsight, lets think that Nena (German group with singer of the 90s) must have listened to Joan Jett in her youth. This period will also see the replacement of guitarist Eric Ambel by Ricky Bird who will influence a new energy to the sound of the 6 strings (the 2 versions of NAG on the 1998 edition are the witnesses).

"I Love Rock'n Roll" contains other interesting tracks (all written by Jett and Laguna) like 'Be Straight'. Unfortunately, the production kicks the overall stature of the album. Indeed its consistency is not assured and it is easy to feel that several recording sessions took place.

"I Love Rock'n Roll" is a very good album, certainly the best known of Joan Jett but not the best. Of course, with its ultimate hit, it is inevitably essential (especially in the 1998 version) and brings its stone to the edifice of an artist who will have marked many generations. - Official website

JOAN JETT

I LOVE ROCK'N ROLL

BLACKHEART

ROCK