Courtney Love
America's Sweetheart (Virgin)
By Noreen Sobczyk
Published: March 30th, 2004 | 6:29pm
Is there enough Love to go around?
"Did you miss me?" asks Courtney Love on her first solo album, America's Sweetheart. Yes, I was curious and anxious to hear what she had to offer after so many years had passed. This is not the effort of a primed and ready solo artist out to prove herself, but rather a record posturing as such. Linda Perry (Christina Aguilera, Pink) helped with songwriting, but Elton John collaborator Bernie Taupin was brought in to write some lyrics. Say what you will about Courtney, but you can't say she hasn't consistently written brilliant lyrics. For someone who yells "Hey!" and "Shut up" so much here, you would think she had enough to say and was going to do so clearly. There are many moments of brilliance on this record, but it is ultimately muddled.
The lyrics reveal that Love has still not found the security she desires, nor is she comfortable enough in her own skin to not think about being cool or punk or selling herself. Getting out of L.A. and regrouping may have been the difference between a mediocre album and great art. It sounds as if she is treading water to save her own life, and her voice, even with production trickery, sounds ragged. The intro vocals on "Life Despite God" are utterly painful.
The music here is a lot like the cover art -- a forced image of artifice. And that is the problem in a nutshell: Courtney has the talent, brains, artistry, money, and life experiences to make a brilliant and stunning CD. This, unfortunately, isn't it.
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