America's Sweetheart

1. AmericanSkins

   Jan 28, 2023

   10

   A storm of negative press surrounded Courtney’s debut solo album and the detractors came out in droves to form ill informed opinions about it,A storm of negative press surrounded Courtney’s debut solo album and the detractors came out in droves to form ill informed opinions about it, what they missed was quite possibly the greatest album of all time by a female solo artist. Courtney wasn’t pleased with the production but it has aged magnificently, her lyricism was genius and her voice in top form despite her drug problems at the time and made for an authentic and consistent rock album, the likes of which has rarely been seen in the 21st century. Opening with the solid ‘Mono’, Courtney snarls “Hey, yeah, we had everything vinyl in mono” over a fierce guitar riff and whilst she agrees that rock is probably dead, it is clear she is the one with the spark to bring it back, features the simultaneously badass and tragic lines “An 8-ball isn’t love, a hookers never gonna come, just give it back to me, blow out all of the lights tonight”. On ‘Julian’ she takes a few tongue-in-cheek swipes at Casablancas of The Strokes in brilliant punk rock fashion, again her lyrics shine “Busty co-eds, live, live, live, you’ll crash the car, man, if you drive a 1-800, 1-800, 1-800 wired!” and a personal favourite of mine “Adorable, affordable, guaranteed discretion” before accusing him of ripping off The Clash with a fantastically raunchy double entendre. The third track ‘Hold On To Me’ would not be out of place on a list of the greatest songs of all time, it is lovelorn, tragic and defiant, Courtney’s inflection on the titular hook is one of the finest moments in her discography and rock music history, I only wish her screams on the final chorus were mixed higher. ‘Sunset Strip’ is seemingly a homage to ‘The Needle and The Damage Done’ musically, it features further commentary on Hollywood, fame, love and death, it sounds like it was written whilst she was actually sat on the Hollywood sign as the lyrics state reflecting on her life, it is truly great, the lyrics are hard to decipher towards the end of the song and are not available on lyric sites but are under the song’s youtube video courtesy of me, she really goes to town on it and it may well be her magnum opus. ‘All The Drugs’ is badass and ferocious, ‘Almost Golden’ is beautiful and classic Courtney “I was stuck and you stoned in a daze”, ‘I’ll Do Anything’ is an intentional rip off of ‘Teen Spirit’, ‘Song 2’ and ‘Gimme Danger’, she certainly packs a punch on the song and it is in turn hilarious, menacing and sexy ‘Gimme dick, gimme speed, gimme white hot heat’ is one of the tamer lines. ‘Uncool’ is a brilliant downtempo rock ballad. ‘Life Despite God’ is a genius, alluring piece, Courtney channels Robert Plant and it is her most experimental song since ‘Pretty On The Inside’, it almost shouldn’t work, there are sleigh bells, but it does and it kicks ass, when she screams on the second half, damn it’s good, “run away your head’s on fire, can’t tell the difference between hate and desire”, I honestly can’t think of a better rock song, the final line “I can not find a vein” she delivers with so much authentic emotion, it’s epic. ‘Hello’ can go. ‘Zeplin Song’ is great, great punk rock riff and some of her best lyrics “He was so cute, Johnny punk rock, so cynical, you woulda jumped him to!” and the chorus “Why are the stoners always stoned?”, Courtney is seemingly frustrated with the monotony of a Led Zeppelin song and life as a rock star. ‘Never Be The Same’ is anthemic and beautiful. A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting album that reflects Courtney and her passions and relatable problems perfectly, her incredible voice, emotional honesty and dedication to guitar rock will keep you coming back for more. The perfect musical embodiment of the rise and fall and perseverance of a genius rock star, it is easily one of the greatest and most underrated albums of all time, anyone who says otherwise is a moron.… Expand

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2. DirtySanchez

   Feb 17, 2004

   10

   LOVE IT

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. MikeL

   Oct 26, 2004

   10

   To all the people who gave this cd a low rating or said the lyrics suck.....I think you missed something or just don't get it. People To all the people who gave this cd a low rating or said the lyrics suck.....I think you missed something or just don't get it. People tend to judge Courtney and her music very hastily. There is so much behind everything if you take the time to look. Do you guys know what the song "Mono" is about ???? I would assume not if you criticize the lyrics on this CD. Maybe you should listen to the "popular" CD's comparable to Courtney's and see if your opinions change a little. … Expand

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5. martinb

   Feb 10, 2004

   8

   Un excellent disque rock qui rappelle la vieille époque où les rock star n'étaient pas des personnages Un excellent disque rock qui rappelle la vieille époque où les rock star n'étaient pas des personnages aseptisés et préfabriqués. Courtney est imprévisible, mordante et folle pour le meilleur et pour le pire. Ses textes sont toujours aussi mordants et nombrilistes. Ce disque sera malheureusement mal jugé puisque nous vivons toujours dans un monde où une femme n'a pas le droit de dire ce qu'elle pense, de vivre comme elle le veut et n'a surtout pas le droit de déranger le monde machiste du rock. Cela en dit long sur l'état du monde de la musique et l'état du monde en général en 2004...… Expand

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6. iieee

   May 7, 2007

   8

   what a fun kick ass rock album this is!? it took me a LONG time to buy it and give it an open listen but i'm happy i finally did! i tip what a fun kick ass rock album this is!? it took me a LONG time to buy it and give it an open listen but i'm happy i finally did! i tip my hat to Courtney. she's such a car crash you forget to just listen to the music. when you do forget her personal life and just listen you know why she has a recording contract.… Expand

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7. Batman

   Mar 1, 2004

   5

   5 because I like her.

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8. [Anonymous]

   Feb 9, 2004

   0

   please do not buy this

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful

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