The ironically titled ‘America’s Sweetheart’ is Courtney Loves first solo album and it is clear that she is still as brassy and provocative as ever.

The album opens with ‘Mono’ her first single and a great introduction to a tempestuous album that is strangely sensitive at times. Songs such as the epic ‘Sunset Strip’ and ‘All The Drugs’ have obvious content, which unfortunately lack originality. However ‘I’ll Do Anything’ and ‘Hello’ are pure punk rock and contain not a small hint of Hole (Courtney’s connections with her old band are not entirely severed as former drummer Samantha Maloney supports her on the album). Surprisingly evocative songs come in the form of ‘Uncool’ and ‘Never Gonna Be The Same’ which could be a reference to her late husband and certainly leaves the album on a sober note.

No matter what you think of Courtney Love she certainly has proved herself with a feisty album both clever and impassioned and seemingly with her tongue placed firmly in cheek. Her dark humour can certainly be seen in ‘Zeppelin Song’. With lines such as “why did the chicken cross the road? / to get away from that Zeppelin song” it is clear that she does not want to be taken too seriously.

A controversial personal life certainly creates a backdrop for an uncompromising album. This is Courtney Love, open, honest and outrageous and we wouldn’t have expected anything less.

words: Suzanne Gailey