Bebe le Strange

iTunes Review

Toning down its art-rock instincts, Heart adopted a leaner, tougher sound on Bebe le Strange. Ann and Nancy Wilson survived the loss of founding guitarist Roger Fisher to lead their group into the ’80s with sharpened commercial instincts. Tracks like the snappy, horn-fueled “Even It Up” and the thunderous party anthem “Strange Night” bristle with renewed energy. Even better is the title tune, a sexed-up celebration of backstage love with a searing guitar line. Heart adds some variety with a smoldering blues ballad (“Down On Me’), a bouncy piano-driven tune (“Raised On You”) and a heroic arena-rock ode (“Rockin’ Heaven Down”). Though a bit constrained here, Nancy Wilson does take a solo guitar turn with the classically styled “Silver Wheels.” Bebe le Strange represents a bridge between Heart’s more eclectic, folk-influenced early days and the radio-friendly power balladry of its ‘80s work. On its own merits, it’s a spirited, well-realized album and “Jackleg Man” is a crazed number that may be the closest thing to punk rock that Heart has ever recorded.