Side one begins with “Cherry Bomb”, a remake of Jett’s former hit with the Runaways, charted at number 55 on the US Billboard Dance chart. The song about a rebellious teenaged woman remains timeless. It was used as part of the soundtrack on this summer’s Marvel blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy (a film my entire family loved – go see it!). The version here is a bit slower, more methodic and primed for explosion.
“I Love You Love Me Love”, the lead single, stalled at number 105 on the US Billboard Hot 200. This winding-guitar rocker was a cover of Gary Glitter’s UK number 1 single from 1973. This wasn’t the first time Jett paid tribute to Glitter; she did so on her debut album with “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)”.
“Frustrated”, the first of a number of collaborations on the album between Jett and her long-time producer Kenny Laguna, keeps with that classic rock vibe. This one reminds me a bit of the Stones and the Who. It ends with an extended, guitar-only riff.
The tone shifts with “Hold Me”, an intimate and personal number. It shows a lot of vulnerability, not something I would instantly associate with Jett’s tough-rocker image. It is a nice change of pace.
“Long Time” opens with a high-octane rhythm to it that instantly harkens back to “Bad Reputation” from her debut.
“Talking ‘Bout My Baby” is one of my favorite deep tracks on the record. It has a solid blend of hard rocking with 60’s girl-group sensibilities. I love the way the guitars ring out here.
Side two starts with “I Need Someone”, an early days of rock-n-roll number written by Peter Falciglia and Carlo Mastrangelo that was first recorded by Dion and the Belmonts in 1961.
The mid-tempo “Love Like Mine” is another Jett and Laguna composition. Here, Jett points out she’s not the girl next door and that loving her would be a different experience than you might have had before.
“New Orleans”, written by Frank Guida and Joseph Royster, was first recorded by Gary U.S. Bonds in 1960. This hand-clap along classic is a lot of fun. Jett is always in her element when she pays homage to her rock influences as she does here.
“Someday”, another original, is a premeditative promise for payback. Jett is not someone I would want on my wrong side.
“Push and Stomp” is a song about getting out your frustrations through dancing.
The album closes with “I Got No Answers”, a mellow introspective number about life and the ways of the world.
In 1984, this one from Joan Jett and the Blackhearts completely was off my radar. I knew her hit singles from the years prior, but since I was not into as much album-oriented rock at the time I failed to pick up on the record. When I got into it though was in 2009 when I added it up for my then-growing digital music library. This was the full nineteen track version of the CD release from 1998, which included dance mixes of both the singles and the non-album B-sides. Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth is a decent rock record, performed by musicians who were keeping the roots of rock alive for a whole new generation. It was a strong counter to what was predominant on the charts at the time, but variety is the spice of life.
For more of my reviews of Joan Jett’s albums, click here.
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