{"id":5850,"date":"2012-09-29T10:52:02","date_gmt":"2012-09-29T08:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?p=5850"},"modified":"2012-10-15T18:46:14","modified_gmt":"2012-10-15T16:46:14","slug":"fanatic-album-reviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?p=5850","title":{"rendered":"Fanatic album reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Heart – Fanatic – 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This post will have the links to all the reviews I find:<\/p>\n

AllMusic.com<\/a>\u00a0(iTunes): “In sum, in a career that spans nearly 40 years, on\u00a0Fanatic, 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<\/p>\n

MuzikReviews<\/a>: “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<\/p>\n

Powerlinemag<\/a>: “The album is a bit on the short side (it runs just under 40 minutes). Nonetheless,\u00a0Fanatic<\/em>\u00a0shows a band rocking on after nearly 40 years, and it\u2019s clear they\u2019re not about to stop yet.” 4 stars<\/p>\n

Blinded By Sound<\/a>: “Another track, \u201c59 Crunch,\u201d 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.”<\/p>\n

Canoe<\/a>: “They\u2019re kicking it out again.” 3 1\/2 stars<\/p>\n

ClassicRockRevisited<\/a>: “Overall Heart has created a very fine collection of music this time out.” B<\/p>\n

About.Com<\/a>: “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<\/p>\n

SomethingElseReviews<\/a>: “There\u2019s a deeply personal feel to this new album, and a grinding loudness.”<\/p>\n

USATODAY: “Hearts tend to weaken over years, but not this one. Ann and Nancy Wilson still\u00a0belt out fiery Zeppelinesque rockers, matching early hits with such\u00a0fresh treats as the guitar-driven Dear Old America, kicking 59 Crunch\u00a0and killer title track. — Edna GundersenDownload: Dear Old America, 59 Crunch, Fanatic, Mashallah.” 3 stars<\/p>\n

CW’s Place<\/a>: “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\u2019t seem to affected them as their music is still filled with plenty of rock n\u2019 roll piss and vinegar. They\u2019re also still not hard on the eyes and reminded me of just why I had a school boy crush on them while growing up.”<\/p>\n

Blogcritics<\/a>: “But in the main, this is a collection of infectious melodies with the knobs turned up.”<\/p>\n

PopMatters<\/a>: “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\u2014Fanatic<\/em>here reclaims folk music from the Mumblefords, teaches all rock bands how to actually rock, and continues Heart\u2019s legacy of being, quite frankly, one of the best bands we have ever had”. 9\/10<\/p>\n

[youtube]http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mnPAmKv7jUs[\/youtube]<\/p>\n

AVClub<\/a>: “There are a few too many of these mellower numbers to make this a true return to form, but on its high points,\u00a0Fanatic<\/em>\u00a0shows a remarkable energy from a band that could\u2019ve just coasted into soft-rock oblivion.” B-<\/p>\n

RollingStone<\/a>:”Back with producer Ben Mink, who shaped 2010’s startlingly good\u00a0Red Velvet Car<\/em>, the Wilson sisters ride a late-game hot streak through\u00a0Fanatic<\/em>, still living up to their band name.” 3 stars<\/p>\n

JournalStar<\/a>: “It takes all of 15 seconds for \u201cFanatic\u201d to announce itself as another solid piece of classic rock from Heart. The first signs are the guitar riffs, then Ann Wilson\u2019s unmistakable voice rips through Robert Plant-style and the album, which shares the title with its opening song, is off and running.” B<\/p>\n

PopCultureGuy<\/a>: “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,\u00a0Fanatic\u00a0<\/em>does not hit a single false note”<\/p>\n

JiveWired<\/a>: “Fanatic\u00a0marks 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\u00a0Fanatic\u00a0undeniably good, it destroys the notion that hard rockers don’t age gracefully.”<\/p>\n

BabySue<\/a>: “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.”<\/p>\n

SacBee<\/a>: “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.”<\/p>\n

emusic<\/a>: “Good, swaggering, meat-and-potatoes stuff; it\u2019s nice to hear from these veterans.”<\/p>\n

thecommonills<\/a>: “In other words, I’ve now heard the best album of 2012 and it’s\u00a0Fanatic<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

\n

UltimateClassicRock<\/a>: “This diversity certainly elevates \u2018Fanatic\u2019 within Heart\u2019s catalog. But the album\u2019s vibrant atmosphere is just as significant. The band are clearly engaged with and energized by \u2018Fanatic,\u2019 and that\u2019s perhaps the most gratifying thing about the album.” 8\/10<\/p>\n

Irrationale<\/a>: “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.”<\/p>\n

Post-Gazette<\/a>: “Put Heart down with Rush as the rare classic-rock band that still knows what it’s doing.” 3 stars of 4.<\/p>\n

Let the Music Do The Talking<\/a>: “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.”<\/p>\n

AntiMusic<\/a>: “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<\/p>\n

Courier Journal<\/a>: “Second acts are rare for \u201970s rock bands, largely because they don\u2019t survive, and this one is apparently just getting started.” 3 stars<\/p>\n

100% Rock Magazine<\/a>: “This is classic Heart, from its guitars, pounding drums, the strings, and especially Ann\u2019s vocals.\u00a0I didn\u2019t love the slow stuff here.\u00a0 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<\/p>\n

Rhapsody<\/a>: “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.”<\/p>\n

BackstageAxxess<\/a>: “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 \u201cRed Velvet Car.\u201d This should satisfy the masses who were looking for a more ‘rocking\u2019 album release from the Wilson sisters. You can say that the first ladies of rock delivered in a big way!”<\/p>\n

KevyMetal<\/a>: “\u2018Fanatic\u2019 is the proof that Heart is still relevant almost four decades after their debut on the scene. Let\u2019s just hope a record like this brings them back to the Dutch stages: I need my fill of Heart live!”<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
SonicShock<\/a>: “Best things come to those who wait\u2026 Maybe, but we\u2019re quite happy we didn\u2019t get to wait six years this time to hear more from the Wilson sisters, after their acclaimed comeback with\u00a0\u2018Red Velvet Car\u2019<\/em>. It was only 2010 when rock first ladies Heart returned on the scene, and they\u2019re back to reassure us it wasn\u2019t a one off.”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
CaesarLiveNLoud.com<\/a>: “Heart have released their new album,\u00a0Fanatic, earlier this month and it is a great album showcasing Ann Wilson\u2019s outstanding vocal range.”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
GetReadyToTock<\/a>: “But Heart have always been much more than imitators. Forget \u2018super groups\u2019 Black Country Communion and Chickenfoot \u2013 Ann and Nancy Wilson have turned back the hands of time with an album that outperforms the opposition (new and old) to such an extent that Fanatic really ought to be investigated by the Anti-Doping Agency.” 4,5 out of 5<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
HeraldStandard<\/a>: “Heart fanatics will love the new album as it ranks right along with classics like \u201cDreamboat Annie\u201d and \u201cLittle Queen.\u201d”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
MajorConflict<\/a>: “Heart “Fanatic”…I would give it a B minus. Ann Wilson still has a great voice and they try some new tricks.”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Bravewords<\/a>: “A work of genius and commercial suicide.” 9\/10<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Drowning out the kids<\/a>: “In general, I prefer the more rocking tunes to the ballad-y types on this record, although I’m certainly not complaining about either – this is, without a doubt,\u00a0a solid album from a couple of strong women (and their menfolk)\u00a0who deserve respect.\u00a0 Even if they are wearing slippers.””<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Orcasound<\/a>: “The good thing is that you don\u2019t have to be a previous Heart fan to enjoy this album. This is probably their best work since the mid-80s.”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
rscrabb<\/a>: “Credit the Wilson sisters for returning and making a damn fine album the way they used to before the 80s came along”<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Caller.com<\/a>: “Still, the Wilson sisters carried on, and it is that unfettered resilience that ignites the passionate performances that make up “Fanatic” (Epic\/Legacy), their latest album.”<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This post will have the links to all the reviews I find: AllMusic.com\u00a0(iTunes): “In sum, in a career that spans nearly 40 years, on\u00a0Fanatic, the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[53],"class_list":["post-5850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-heartlinker","tag-fanatic"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5463,"url":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?p=5463","url_meta":{"origin":5850,"position":0},"title":"Ultimate Classic Rock reviews “Fanatic” song","author":"TDHS","date":"August 9, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Anyone disappointed with the softer tone of\u00a0\u2018Walkin\u2019 Good\u2019\u2013the first single from\u00a0Heart\u2018s upcoming album, \u2018Fanatic\u2019 \u2014 will be thrilled with the album\u2019s title track.\u00a0A vaguely psychedelic rocker with bubbling-oil riffs and smoldering lead vocals from Ann Wilson, \u2018Fanatic\u2019 slithers rather than simply grooves.\" Click to read more and to hear the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "HEARTLINKER"","block_context":{"text":"HEARTLINKER","link":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.heartlinker.nl\/wp-content\/heartfanatic3lg-300x297.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4514,"url":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?p=4514","url_meta":{"origin":5850,"position":1},"title":"Holy Mackerel! 4 new “Fanatic” song titles!","author":"TDHS","date":"February 28, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"As reported earlier on The Heartlinker, a couple of (then unconfirmed) song titles from the new album \"Fanatic\" have surfaced. A monger on the official BBS mentioned having seen an article in Classic Rock Magazine (in the shop) that featured some song titles, but the monger did not have the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "HEARTLINKER"","block_context":{"text":"HEARTLINKER","link":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.heartlinker.nl\/wp-content\/holymackerel.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5023,"url":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?p=5023","url_meta":{"origin":5850,"position":2},"title":"Billboard.com article about Fanatic","author":"TDHS","date":"June 7, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Here are the highlights of the just released news article on billboard.com: Sarah McLachlan guesting on a track called \"Walking Good.\" 10 songs to make the final cut from 20 that were recorded \"Fanatic\" is \"pretty rock heavy. There are only two ballads on it. A song about Pennsylvania. There's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "HEARTLINKER"","block_context":{"text":"HEARTLINKER","link":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.heartlinker.nl\/wp-content\/nancystudio-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5967,"url":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?p=5967","url_meta":{"origin":5850,"position":3},"title":"“Fanatic” Billboard entry: # 24!","author":"TDHS","date":"October 10, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"No official news yet about its first week on the chart, but I did find projections here about a #25 entry. Update October 10th (PM): No conformation yet, but this article puts Heart at #24 Update October 11th: it's official: #24 on billboard 200. The rockalbum chart is #12. Update\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "HEARTLINKER"","block_context":{"text":"HEARTLINKER","link":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.heartlinker.nl\/wp-content\/foto-8-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4713,"url":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?p=4713","url_meta":{"origin":5850,"position":4},"title":"More unconfirmed “Fanatic” song titles!?","author":"TDHS","date":"April 2, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"The publicly accessible ASCAP database -that lists the composers of songs- has added a couple of titles to their database. The following songs are new in that database and credited to Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson and Ben Mink. 4 of these have already been mentioned in the January edition of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "HEARTLINKER"","block_context":{"text":"HEARTLINKER","link":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.heartlinker.nl\/wp-content\/20110407_heart0407-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6374,"url":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?p=6374","url_meta":{"origin":5850,"position":5},"title":"Classic Rock Mag’s Top 50 female AOR: Ann #1","author":"TDHS","date":"January 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Ann Wilson has been named Leading Lady of AOR and finest female AOR singer alive. She leads the top 50 taking gold, where Stevie Nicks takes the silver and Pat Benatar takes the bronze. Cher is at number 7. The top 50 was published in the, rather expensive, newest edition\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "HEARTLINKER"","block_context":{"text":"HEARTLINKER","link":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"AOR 7","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.heartlinker.nl\/wp-content\/aor7wallet_p1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5850","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5850"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5850\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5852,"href":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5850\/revisions\/5852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heartlinker.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}