This post will have the links to all the reviews I find:
AllMusic.com (iTunes): “In sum, in a career that spans nearly 40 years, on Fanatic, the Wilsons prove they can not only not re-create a sound they trademarked in the ’70s, but can revision it creatively for the 21st century.” 3 1/2 stars
MuzikReviews: “The Wilson sisters have proved once again that age has nothing to do with their ability to create great music and perform at a level that is so high that many bands would have trouble duplicating the heights they reach. They pull it off consistently throughout this powerful new recording.” 5 stars
Powerlinemag: “The album is a bit on the short side (it runs just under 40 minutes). Nonetheless, Fanatic shows a band rocking on after nearly 40 years, and it’s clear they’re not about to stop yet.” 4 stars
Blinded By Sound: “Another track, “59 Crunch,” may be one of the hardest songs Heart has ever recorded, its gritty, uptempo chorus venturing into metal territory. Ann and Nancy Wilson’s voices blend precisely, but Ann particularly stands out as a vocalist.”
Canoe: “They’re kicking it out again.” 3 1/2 stars
ClassicRockRevisited: “Overall Heart has created a very fine collection of music this time out.” B
About.Com: “It’s hard to pick favorites. This is one of those rare few albums which I listen to from beginning to end each time, with no track skipping. I really like “Mashallah,” probably because it reminds of early favorites like “Crazy on You” and “White Lightning and Wine.” But then I like “A Million Miles” for precisely the opposite reason: musically, it isn’t something you would expect, which makes it all the more fun. I wasn’t sure at first what I thought about “Walkin’ Good” but it has grown on me to such an extent that it would be a favorite, if I had to pick favorites. And I like “Fanatic” just because it such a good serving of that distinctive genre I call Heart rock.” 4 1/2 stars
SomethingElseReviews: “There’s a deeply personal feel to this new album, and a grinding loudness.”
USATODAY: “Hearts tend to weaken over years, but not this one. Ann and Nancy Wilson still belt out fiery Zeppelinesque rockers, matching early hits with such fresh treats as the guitar-driven Dear Old America, kicking 59 Crunch and killer title track. — Edna GundersenDownload: Dear Old America, 59 Crunch, Fanatic, Mashallah.” 3 stars
CW’s Place: “Being part of the rock and roll life can take its toll on most bands but the Wilson sisters must have found the fountain of youth because the years of time haven’t seem to affected them as their music is still filled with plenty of rock n’ roll piss and vinegar. They’re also still not hard on the eyes and reminded me of just why I had a school boy crush on them while growing up.”
Blogcritics: “But in the main, this is a collection of infectious melodies with the knobs turned up.”
PopMatters: “Ten tracks, all of which fit together in a logical way and with an almost-identifiable theme, over in 40 minutes but continuing to echo long afterwards, loud and rowdy but also soft and personal—Fanatichere reclaims folk music from the Mumblefords, teaches all rock bands how to actually rock, and continues Heart’s legacy of being, quite frankly, one of the best bands we have ever had”. 9/10
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnPAmKv7jUs[/youtube]
AVClub: “There are a few too many of these mellower numbers to make this a true return to form, but on its high points, Fanatic shows a remarkable energy from a band that could’ve just coasted into soft-rock oblivion.” B-
RollingStone:”Back with producer Ben Mink, who shaped 2010’s startlingly good Red Velvet Car, the Wilson sisters ride a late-game hot streak through Fanatic, still living up to their band name.” 3 stars
JournalStar: “It takes all of 15 seconds for “Fanatic” to announce itself as another solid piece of classic rock from Heart. The first signs are the guitar riffs, then Ann Wilson’s unmistakable voice rips through Robert Plant-style and the album, which shares the title with its opening song, is off and running.” B
PopCultureGuy: “Producer Ben Mink, who is also credited as a co-writer on all ten tracks, has helped Heart create one of their most original efforts to date and also plays various instruments, including guitar, on every track. Overall, Fanatic does not hit a single false note”
JiveWired: “Fanatic marks their second consecutive release in which the sisters have managed to shame a younger generation of hard rockers in a continuing reinvention of themselves. Not only is Fanatic undeniably good, it destroys the notion that hard rockers don’t age gracefully.”
BabySue: “This album has a nice fresh inspired sound…and we actually prefer the new material to the stuff the band was recording when they were on top of the charts way back when.”
SacBee: “This sonic landscape lets Heart roar like it hasn’t for a long time. The title song begins with a nasty riff and lets Ann unleash a snarl and a hunger that a lot of today’s groups don’t even try to approach.”
emusic: “Good, swaggering, meat-and-potatoes stuff; it’s nice to hear from these veterans.”
thecommonills: “In other words, I’ve now heard the best album of 2012 and it’s Fanatic.”
UltimateClassicRock: “This diversity certainly elevates ‘Fanatic’ within Heart’s catalog. But the album’s vibrant atmosphere is just as significant. The band are clearly engaged with and energized by ‘Fanatic,’ and that’s perhaps the most gratifying thing about the album.” 8/10
Irrationale: “So there you have it. Heart’s best album since 2004, probably one of the top 5 of their career, and the most enjoyable album I’ve bought this year so far.”
Post-Gazette: “Put Heart down with Rush as the rare classic-rock band that still knows what it’s doing.” 3 stars of 4.
Let the Music Do The Talking: “At face value it is a great listen, but dig a little deeper and you are given raw emotion and meaning. The Wilsons said that with this record they wanted to return to harder edged rock, well they have succeeded and produced an album to be proud of.”
AntiMusic: “In other words, this is not the phenomenally popular but softer, ballad-driven side of Heart; this is a good old ass kicking.” 4 stars
Courier Journal: “Second acts are rare for ’70s rock bands, largely because they don’t survive, and this one is apparently just getting started.” 3 stars
100% Rock Magazine: “This is classic Heart, from its guitars, pounding drums, the strings, and especially Ann’s vocals. I didn’t love the slow stuff here. I would have much rather had an EP of the rockers that brought a little of the glory back to these rock angels.” 7/10
Rhapsody: “The majority of the album’s lyrics are autobiographical, but as with Heart’s best stuff, it’s easy to get lost in the onslaught of hooks, riffs and laser-like harmonies. Some of the best are to be found on “Million Miles,” a propulsive folk-rocker unpinned by strings and what sounds like John Martyn’s Echoplex.”
BackstageAxxess: “The Wilson sisters and Mink upped the tempo and took a different direction on this release. There’s lot more variety here than what was on “Red Velvet Car.” This should satisfy the masses who were looking for a more ‘rocking’ album release from the Wilson sisters. You can say that the first ladies of rock delivered in a big way!”