Review Summary: Welcome to Benatar.
The 80's had its fair share of terrible, good, great, superb, and even nearly perfect albums. From Glam's overnight sensation, The emergence of Alternative rock, or even the slow creeping rise of thrash metal, it was a good period for music. Just ask someone their favorite album from the eighties. Most avid listeners will have about five to ten favorites. Why am i saying all this? Well the 80's also had two significant female rockers. First one being
Joan Jett, after the demise of
The Runaways, and other, being
Pat Benatar. You could go down the list and name off several others that had influence toward woman becoming front-men, or rather front-women of bands. These two, especially Benatar, deserve the most credit. If anyone would ask a pick for a PB album, this would be the hands down pick. Followed very closely by
Precious time.
Trying to be objective, and yes, also being a huge Benatar fan, there was a slight anxiety about reviewing this album. Even though many, many listens have happened, looking for anything to fault about it was a challenge. In time, i felt i could write this review after stepping away and coming back to it refreshed. Managing to find some faults to give a listener an honest opinion was a challenge. In the end, I have found a few, enough to at least write a fair review.
Crimes of Passion is indeed one very well rounded listen. While it gained its fame off of the popular
Hit me with your best shot, and also the notable
You better run, it says consistent. Most of the song have a good mesh, and have been well placed for the track listing. Benatar's vocals are completely incredible. She showcases a very impressive range and diversity throughout the album. Whether is the straight-foward chorus on
Hit me with you best shot, The soothing jazz-like feel of
I'm gonna follow you, The somber and yet intense
Hell is for children, or the aggressive style of
You better run. Not to say her vocals completely make this album.
Neil Giraldo, Who has been Benetar's Guitarist for nearly all of her career, helps contribute towards the overall feel of the album. His Jazzy style and well-placed Solos add a element toward
Crimes of passion that blends perfectly with the many vocals style of Benatar.
Out-A-Touch and
Hell is for children are great examples to put of there. If i had to point out anything, it would be the two covers.
You better run is a great song, and i really can't disagree.
Wuthering heights, while also good, is a weaker song on the album compared to many others. The problem being is that i think Benatar would have been smart to replace the latter of the two with another original track. It would have been a bit better of a choice the a cover with her vocal ability.
Lyrically, This album mainly deals with love and passion. The title could mostly tell you that. Most of the song titles pretty much give away what they are about. Im talking about you
Treat me right. Though the songs that do this somewhat differ in subject matter, they can add up to the same thing, and honestly, i think it can take away from the album in a lyrical sense. However, songs like
Hell is for children, which is wisely placed midway through the album, its very deep and powerful. Dealing with child abuse, its tone and subject matter don't exactly tread completely away, but enough to change the flow of the album.
Little paradise, helps slowly tip-toe back towards the bulk of the albums subject matter, while
Im gonna follow you hits back into the passion.
If there are any closing comments, I would hope anyone wanting to know the perks and flaws of a
Pat Benatar album would read this. This album, in a personnel opinion, influenced female rockers for the better, and would be a pick for top 10 of the 80's decade. Really it would be up to the reader to make their own thoughts about
Crimes of Passion. This is just an analyzation of the album from a fan and at the same time, a fair reviewer. If all that is fine. Put on your headphones, press play on this album, and welcome to Benatar.
