Heart — ‘Fanatic’
Heart’s 14th studio album finds the Wilson sisters revisiting their rock-oriented mojo of the mid-’70s.
The weighty guitar riffs delivered by Nancy Wilson on the title track accentuate sister Ann Wilson’s muscular vocals, giving the blistering track an old-school panache.
“59 Crunch” features thunderous rhythms and dueling vocals from the sisters as they punch out one of their most commanding arrangements since 1977’s “Barracuda.”
“Mashallah” displays the feel of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” as Ann belts out the vocals reminiscent of the band’s huge 1976 hit “Crazy on You.”
Heart gives an additional nod to Led Zeppelin with the bluesy, psychedelic flavor of closer “Corduroy Road.”
“Skin and Bones” is a blues-rock hybrid that highlights Ann’s raspy, sensual voice, giving the tune the provocative aura of Prince’s “Kiss.”
Sarah McLachlan joins Nancy on the country-folk format of “Walkin’ Good,” layering the song with the texture and sound of a Sheryl Crow creation.
Not sticking to one strict formula, the sisters get adventurous with the addition of the violin and viola prominently placed in the surreal layering of “Dear Old America” and the electronica feel offered on the progressive rocker “Million Miles.” Returning from Heart’s last album is producer Ben Mink who also co-wrote all of the material with the Wilson sisters.
Heart fanatics will love the new album as it ranks right along with classics like “Dreamboat Annie” and “Little Queen.”
Fans can also pick up some new reading material about the Wilson sisters with their new memoir, “Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll” released in September.