America's Sweetheart
by Courtney Love
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Feb 10, 2004
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 72 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 72
  3. Negative: 17 out of 72

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  1. 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 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 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
  2. Paul
    Feb 10, 2004
    7
    Please ignore the comment above, its just typical of someone who is willing to rate a cd based on their perception (hatred) of the singer rather than the actual album. Its great. Like many a good album it does take a few listens for it to shine.
  3. LauraL
    Feb 11, 2004
    9
    This album is raw and depressing. Which is part of what makes it great. I love the White Stripes, Strokes, etc. but I've been longing for a rock album with some emotional substance. This is it. It's not trendy or even cool, but it's full of wonderfully crafted songs which have something to say and will stand the test of time.
  4. SimonM
    Feb 20, 2004
    9
    I like this a lot. It's raw, funky and heartfelt. Nice to hear something that isn't overproduced... Buy it. It rocks!
  5. craigb
    Feb 9, 2004
    10
    I've been listening to this nonstop on stream and it's fucking excellent. hating courtney is so 2001.
  6. DerekG
    Jun 9, 2004
    8
    Courtney Love may be a mess, but she's also brilliant.
  7. KatK
    Apr 20, 2007
    9
    Most songs should have been instant hits, such as Sunset Boulevard, and Hold On To Me, etc. A few a little less on par, but still listenable. Overall, incredible album. Great lyrics, emotionally reminisent of Celebrity Skin, but much more raw, similar to Live Through This. Anyone who gives this album a bad review is obviously basing it more on their opinion of Courtney, then on her album. Most songs should have been instant hits, such as Sunset Boulevard, and Hold On To Me, etc. A few a little less on par, but still listenable. Overall, incredible album. Great lyrics, emotionally reminisent of Celebrity Skin, but much more raw, similar to Live Through This. Anyone who gives this album a bad review is obviously basing it more on their opinion of Courtney, then on her album. This album makes it clear that Love is obviously a musical and lyrical genius. Overall, incredible album. Cant wait for the next if even one of it's songs is half as good as America's Sweetheart.… Expand
  8. AnnaH
    Mar 7, 2008
    10
    Kickass, raw and emotional like no-one else. Courtney Love is still the queen of Rock. Her most accomplished songwriting yet. Nasty and wild like "Pretty on the inside" and the early stuff on "My Body the Hand-grenade", raw and honest like "Live Through This", soulful like "Celebrity Skin" but with even better songwriting and production. Can't wait til the next album!
  9. GaryR
    Feb 11, 2004
    8
    Very good album for Hole fans who have been waiting for this. Her voice is as full of rage as ever, and the lyrics don't hold anything back. Grrrr!!!
  10. martinb
    Feb 10, 2004
    8
    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 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
  11. T
    Feb 12, 2004
    10
    so classic for a strong rock female to come out with a true masterpiece and everyone to criticize the initimacy of the lyrics. Can you step away from the public persona and look at the music as music? They are great songs and a very complex intriguing cd, turn the volume up, your over active minds down and fuckin rock out!
  12. BenC
    Feb 12, 2004
    10
    I think this is a genius album. It's hedonistic, raw, intelligent. It's highly listenable and reflects Courtney's contradictory, chaotic personality. At turns, vulnerable, arrogant, self-absorbed, painful and drug-addled, it's genius is in it's wildly flawed, but passionate delivery. Somehow it seems to all come together in a really memorable album.
  13. GHutchinson
    Feb 15, 2004
    8
    Quite a thrilling album. Not as polished as celebrity skin but makes up for this in its sheer personality.
  14. AnonymousMC
    Feb 17, 2004
    10
    BUY THIS ALBUM NOW.
  15. DirtySanchez
    Feb 17, 2004
    10
    LOVE IT
  16. jennyfer
    Feb 19, 2004
    10
    this is the new amazing cd by courtney love shows us that she is back! we are delightned and screaming for more already! there are some wonderful track we´ve got here and courtney manages to touch all the right spots so make us (at least me) smile, cry and scream. just as she has always done through her music. this shows us that she´s alive and everyone that had forgotten this is the new amazing cd by courtney love shows us that she is back! we are delightned and screaming for more already! there are some wonderful track we´ve got here and courtney manages to touch all the right spots so make us (at least me) smile, cry and scream. just as she has always done through her music. this shows us that she´s alive and everyone that had forgotten about her are STUPID! GET YOUR OWN COPY OF THIS RIGHT NOW or you will regret it :)… Expand
  17. Gary
    Feb 25, 2004
    10
    Best album of the year. Funny, ironic, brilliant and rocks hard. Courtney is Jesus come to be the godd*mn Saviour of Rock. And come to kick Julian Casablanca's ass. Gabba gabba - hey!
  18. GregT
    Feb 9, 2004
    10
    a masterpiece. love conquers all.
  19. adamb
    Feb 9, 2004
    10
    A life-changing album.
  20. SharonD
    Mar 1, 2004
    10
    Courtney Love has a lot of vulnerability and arrogance and the combination is really genius. It's a funny, raw, painful, aggressive album. One of the best in a long time. Too bad people's determination to hate this woman will deprive them of a great listening experience. It's better to be a lover of Love in the long run. She creates great art.
  21. RandyB
    Mar 10, 2005
    9
    Courtney has never been a person to admire, let's just get that straight. She's always been a whack job, and she always will be. However, I completely LOVE this record, and even after having a year of repeated listens it still makes me quiver. Sure there are the recurring lines of "Hey!" "Shut up!" and "Tied to the bed", and 'I'll do Anything' borrows a riff from Courtney has never been a person to admire, let's just get that straight. She's always been a whack job, and she always will be. However, I completely LOVE this record, and even after having a year of repeated listens it still makes me quiver. Sure there are the recurring lines of "Hey!" "Shut up!" and "Tied to the bed", and 'I'll do Anything' borrows a riff from 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', but it still emerges as one of the best of 2004. Why? The lyrics are otherwise very clever, as in the fun 'Zepelin Song', and even when it's time to hear a ballad it still rocks as in 'Still Golden' and 'Life Despite God'. Perhaps if it had been another artist that released this exact material people and critics would feel differently about 'America's Sweetheart', but unfortunately Courtney has dug herself that massive hole I fear she will never be able to crawl out of.… Expand
  22. MikeH
    Jun 19, 2005
    10
    Yes, she repeats the lines "shut up!", "tied to the Bed", and something about burning in more than three songs and she uses the riff from 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' for 'I'll do Anything', but 'America's Sweetheart' is a vicious rocker. Courtney snarls the way she did on 'Live Through This' and expresses her frustration with drugs and Yes, she repeats the lines "shut up!", "tied to the Bed", and something about burning in more than three songs and she uses the riff from 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' for 'I'll do Anything', but 'America's Sweetheart' is a vicious rocker. Courtney snarls the way she did on 'Live Through This' and expresses her frustration with drugs and lovers in a way that most people can't touch; while others follow tired cliches, Courtney rips flesh and leaves a scar. Her vanity is unquestionable here, but that's because the album is about her. More than a year later it's still amazing, and I anxiously await her second solo outing. LOVE COURTNEY!!!!!… Expand
  23. 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 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.
  24. HG
    Jul 26, 2007
    9
    Just stunningly good.
  25. DaveN
    Feb 19, 2004
    8
    This is a great pop/rock CD. I am only a casual Hole and Courtney fan but the basic thing here is that these songs are catchy and well made for the most part. The lyrics are also very good and adds to the listening pleasure, overall this album is a blast. It does reflect deep troubles in her life but who cares, why are people so damn interested yet they complain about her. I am reviewing This is a great pop/rock CD. I am only a casual Hole and Courtney fan but the basic thing here is that these songs are catchy and well made for the most part. The lyrics are also very good and adds to the listening pleasure, overall this album is a blast. It does reflect deep troubles in her life but who cares, why are people so damn interested yet they complain about her. I am reviewing this CD, not courtney, which many reviewers stupidly did in there reviews. Great songs, great lyrics, unique voice...it comes down to that. I am not comparing it to anything nor did i have lofty expectations like alot of people did. Its just a good pop and rock record that shows she can kick butt. Simple as that… Expand
  26. flaviab
    May 15, 2005
    10
    muy bueno!!!!
  27. BillyA
    Oct 17, 2006
    10
    Absolutely brilliant CD. Courtney Love still has it.
  28. perkjl
    Jan 4, 2016
    7
    Usually regarded as the worst of her albums and that's mostly true, however it's definitely a guilty pleasure. There are some tunes on the album that are underrated such as Hold on to Me and Almost Golden. Mono is a fun rock ballad and serves as a decent "come back" intro song for the album. All the Drugs features some fun, but simple riffs. Overall, most of the songs are just good ol' funUsually regarded as the worst of her albums and that's mostly true, however it's definitely a guilty pleasure. There are some tunes on the album that are underrated such as Hold on to Me and Almost Golden. Mono is a fun rock ballad and serves as a decent "come back" intro song for the album. All the Drugs features some fun, but simple riffs. Overall, most of the songs are just good ol' fun punk rock esque songs without any deep meaning. Hold on to Me and Almost Golden try to serve as the albums "Malibu" entries. They are decent nothing more. Other songs such as All the Drugs are mostly dark and soul less enabling drug addiction and prostitution. The whole album is pretty narcissistic, but fun overall. Like I said it's a guilty pleasure. A far cry from Hole's Live through this or even Celebrity Skin.… Expand
  29. 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, 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 theA 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

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Discussed Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 24
  3. Negative: 4 out of 24
  1. The A.V. Club
    30
    Love has nothing new to say and no better way to say it.
    Read full review
  2. Uncut
    20
    America's Sweetheart is petulant and self-pitying. Worse, it's self-righteous. Worse still, it's musically crass. [Mar 2004, p.98]
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    This being Courtney, there’s also an emotional rawness to ‘America’s Sweetheart’ which you’ll either love or be repelled by.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »