Track Listing

1. Mono
2. But Julian I'm A Little Bit Older Than You
3. Hold On To Me
4. Sunset Strip
5. All The Drugs
6. Almost Golden
7. I'll Do Anything
8. Uncool
9. Life Despite God
10. Hello
11. Zeppelin Song
12. Never Gonna Be The Same

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24205 in Music
• Released on: 2004-02-09
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics

Amazon.co.uk Review
Prior to the release of America's Sweetheart, the media backlash against Courtney Love was in full swing. To be fair, Ms Love is a difficult celebrity to like--she's the screechy, indie-rock Madonna: singing, acting, courting the media and annoying the right wing. Critics have questioned her decision to release America's Sweetheart at the same time as former Hole bandmate (and current rock pin-up) Melissa Auf der Maur, but they seem to be overlooking one obvious fact--Courtney Love is a far better singer and songwriter. She picks up pretty much where the last Hole album, Celebrity Skin, left off, delving further into the radio-friendly territory that that album had trailblazed with songs such as the anthemic first single "Mono". Mostly, she's left the grunge behind (though "I'll Do Anything" cheekily borrows a well-known riff from her deceased husband's band) and concentrated on the glitter and the gloss (Hole fans may find it a bit too polished). It lacks most of the raw intensity of her best work with Hole, but those songs were about teenage rebellion, anger and angst--Love's smart enough to realise that, at her age, that just doesn't work (a fact she recognises on the brilliantly titled and targeted "But Julian, I'm a Little Bit Older than You"). Courtney Love has grown up ("Uncool" is, appropriately, cowritten with Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin), and she sold out a long time ago (nine of the tracks here are cowritten with hitmaker Linda Perry), but that's okay. You don't have to like Courtney Love the celebrity to enjoy America's Sweetheart the album. --Robert Burrow

CD Description
Former Hole frontwoman presents her long-awaited solo debut, originally slated for release on Alan McGee's Poptones label but now on Virgin. Falling somewhere between the raw grunge of Hole's breakthrough disc 'Live Through This' and the polished soft rock of their swansong 'Celebrity Skin', the album was co-written by former 4 Non Blondes singer Linda Perry and features the Distillers' Brody Dalle playing guitar ontwo tracks.

Customer Reviews

America's Sweetheart
I started to listen to this album with the view that it would be in a similar vein to that of 'Celebrity Skin'. The only song on 'America's Sweetheart' that really resembles this is 'Hold On To Me' and this is no bad thing as the song itself is good. But I didn't want this album to cover too much old ground and Courtney does not disappoint.

Single 'Mono' the perfect opener, introduces Courtney's unmistakeable voice snarling over catchy and rugged riffs.

'Almost Golden' and 'Life Despite God' provides the lyrical poetry that Courtney does so well, entwined in a soft but raw sound.

For me, the weakest song on the album is 'Uncool'. It doesn't have Courtney's stamp on it and just seems to drift along.

Most striking of all is a more light, humourous tone on 'Zeplin Song' and 'But Julian, I'm a Little Bit Older Than You' which had previously gone undetected on her past albums. This, I found to be the most refreshing difference and just proves that Courtney Love is far from all doom and gloom.

'America's Sweetheart' has become an instant favourite of mine and Courtney Love and this album certainly deserves a lot more credit than they have been getting recently.

Impressive, if a little commercial
It's amazing what one former self-labelled "Riot Grrl" can get away with.

She may be rarely out of the news for all the wrong reasons, but the media frenzy surrounding her detracts from something a lot more important - Courtney Love is a very talented, smart musician.

With this, Courtney's first solo outing since her departure from her Hole bandmates, it's easy to be apprehensive - Hole's 1999 swansong "Celebrity Skin" showed a drastic departure from the angst-ridden edgy vocals that made the band, heading towards a more radio friendly, catchy sound which alienated a lot of their original fanbase, but widened their appeal to a much larger audience.

It's perhaps a bit offputting that nine of the twelve tracks on the album were co-written with current celebrity hitmaker Linda Perry (who previously worked with Pink), and former Hole drummer Patty Schemel, but the result is an catchy, occasionally reflective piece of quality pop. Standout tracks include the first single "Mono", "But Julian, I'm A Little Bit Older Than You", and "Uncool."

Don't kid yourselves, if you're expecting "Live Through This" Vol 2 you'll be disappointed, but "America's Sweetheart" is definitely worth a listen.

This is a great album, believe me, completely underrated.
Firstly, i loved Hole, and this album is up there with Holes great albums. This is a really underrated album in my opinion. There are no "fillers" either. Courtney gets a raw deal all the time - people should just leave her alone - she's great. This is a really cool album. I love every track, especially "Uncool", thats my fave. Also, check out the UK release of the Mono single, as there are some cool b-sides. I loved Hole's Celebrity Skin, plus the others, but this is definately up there with Celebrity Skin, definately, go buy it, you won't regret it, i promise.