America's Sweetheart

My Favorite Music Albums (110 items)
list by pam111

Albums I listen for the first time in 2016 (147 items)
list by mirinbuddy

In my opinion, America’s Sweetheart was written off and ignored unjustifiably. It’s a great Courtney Love album. All of the glowing reviews will attest to that. Her personal life took over the good press for the album, and the fact that there was even an album coming out. She finds a balance between the uncaged hellion of Live Through This with the California pop sheen of Celebrity Skin, and m... read more

Description: Prior to the release of America's Sweetheart, the media backlash against Courtney Love was in full swing. To be fair, Ms Love is a difficult celebrity to like--she's the screechy, indie-rock Madonna: singing, acting, courting the media and annoying the right wing. Critics have questioned her decision to release America's Sweetheart at the same time as former Hole bandmate (and current rock pin-up) Melissa Auf der Maur, but they seem to be overlooking one obvious fact--Courtney Love is a far better singer and songwriter. She picks up pretty much where the last Hole album, Celebrity Skin, left off, delving further into the radio-f Prior to the release of America's Sweetheart, the media backlash against Courtney Love was in full swing. To be fair, Ms Love is a difficult celebrity to like--she's the screechy, indie-rock Madonna: singing, acting, courting the media and annoying the right wing. Critics have questioned her decision to release America's Sweetheart at the same time as former Hole bandmate (and current rock pin-up) Melissa Auf der Maur, but they seem to be overlooking one obvious fact--Courtney Love is a far better singer and songwriter. She picks up pretty much where the last Hole album, Celebrity Skin, left off, delving further into the radio-friendly territory that that album had trailblazed with songs such as the anthemic first single "Mono". Mostly, she's left the grunge behind (though "I'll Do Anything" cheekily borrows a well-known riff from her deceased husband's band) and concentrated on the glitter and the gloss (Hole fans may find it a bit too polished). It lacks most of the raw intensity of her best work with Hole, but those songs were about teenage rebellion, anger and angst--Love's smart enough to realise that, at her age, that just doesn't work (a fact she recognises on the brilliantly titled and targeted "But Julian, I'm a Little Bit Older than You"). Courtney Love has grown up ("Uncool" is, appropriately, cowritten with Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin), and she sold out a long time ago (nine of the tracks here are cowritten with hitmaker Linda Perry), but that's okay. You don't have to like Courtney Love the celebrity to enjoy America's Sweetheart the album. --Robert Burrow ... (more) (less)