The lead single off of the album is Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song." It's easily one of the best tracks on the album. It has a catchy hook and a fantastic lead guitar grind. At one point, I was reminded of Rage Against The Machine. Despite the classic rock roots, I think this has a chance of gaining traction with the modern rock crowd.
"Darkness, Darkness" (The Youngbloods) is another powerful song from the album. Despite the wailing electric guitar throughout, it reminds me of Appalachian tragic ballads. The song deals with the darkness of despair and depression, and is equally suited to the high lonesome sound of mountain music, as well as the gothic rock vocal that is presented by Wilson. "Darkness, darkness, be my blanket / Cover me with the endless night / Take away, take away the pain of knowing / Fill the emptiness of right now."
I would never have thought to pair Wilson's vocals with the sweetly pure vocals of Alison Krauss, but some how it works on "War of Man" (Neil Young). Perhaps it is because Young has a similarly fragile sound. It also helps that they have the strong foundation of such a well-written song. With Krauss's vocals, the song is imbued with an ethereal feel that along with Wilson's strong voice enhance the message of the lyrics.
There are two songs on Hope & Glory I could do without. Elton John's vocals on "Where to Now St. Peter?" are jarring, although I can understand why Wilson chose that song for the album — it deals with the afterlife of a dead soldier. My issue with "We Gotta Get Out of this Place" (The Animals) is the disappointing chorus hook after the anticipation and build-up of the verses. Maybe it's the arrangement, or maybe it's a weak point transferred from the original, but it irks me every time.
Article comments
1 - Douglas Mays
Wow, leave it to Ann Wilson. The gal does have a lot of class. Make a statement without being abrasive. That is the best way to make a statement. The message slips under the door of the opposition....
When the new football stadium for the Seahawks opened here, Ann sang the national anthem. She nailed it! The Star Spangled Banner is a tough one. But she made it sound like her own song. After all these years as a Heart fan (I had the first edition of Dreamboat Annie that had the cloth sticker inside) it was the national anthem that really showed me that the gal really does have it!
A true quality artist and human.
best,
DM
2 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! This article has been forwarded to the Advance.net websites and Boston.com.
3 - Jamie Lelah
While I love Heart. This album isn't all that. It is badly done cover tunes and what is sad is that even Ann's voice sounds a bit shaky on some tunes for this release as well. I would rate is 2 1/2 stars.
4 - Thomas P
Wow, Jamie could not be more wrong. Ann Wilson still has the most powerful voice in rock and roll today - male or female. I challenge anyone to listen to this CD and then listen to the radio and find anyone with half the pipes.
This CD has a few songs I tend to skip over like Jackson. But Immigrant Song and St. Peter just rock like nobody's business.
Ann Wilson is a force of nature. See her live to learn what rock really is.
5 - lamar
May/2010
How did I miss this the past 4.5 years?
Tell me that there is this CD that covers Pink Floyd, Led Zep. and Neil Young tunes and I would be curious but skeptical.
Crisp voice and acoustics! I actually understood the lyrics to Immgrant Song (for the first time). I had to listen to it twice. Thanks for the tip, Vicki. My ears haven't been treated to such a pleasure since the first time I heard "Dreamboat Annie".