Great album to say goodbye to the 80's

I remember buying this album like it was yesterday. It was early 1990 and I had to big heartbreaks in a row. I bought this on tape the day it was released and locked myself in my dark apartment listening to it over and over again. It was magical. Ann Wilson has a voice that can pierce into the deepest part of human emotion. Nancy's vocals have always been overshadowed by her older sister, but she has a voice that can cut just as deep. One listen to Stranded is all it takes. Of course I go way back with Heart and I always knew Nancy was a great singer.



Brigade closes the door to a chapter of Heart, the 80's MTV span. What started with Heart, and on to Bad Animals, ended with Brigade. Sure you had Passionworks and Private Audition in the 80's too, but those albums (unfortunatly) didn't break down the doors without MTV.



Brigade has some awesome songs and that's what's to be expected from the Wilson sisters. Some of the songs on here are Heart's best. 'I Love You', 'Tall dark Handsome Stranger',' Stranded' and 'Wild Child' stand out as my favorites. The huge single 'All I want to do is make love to you.' is not a particular favorite of mine, but it was great to see Nancy kiss a guitar in the video.

Heart Returns To Making Good Music- 4.5 Stars

With BRIGADE, Heart released their first good album in several years. However, I can't call it great because there are a few top-notch rockers- "Wild Child", "Tall Dark Handsome Stranger", "Call Of the Wild", and "The Night"- surrounded by the usual AOR material, and, unlike JUPITERS DARLING, this one doesn't always rock consistently. Unfortunately, Ann Wilson was having severe weight problems when this was recorded, and it seemed to interfere with her creativity, as most of the songs are by outside writers, and the big hits were all ballads. I've learned from this that I should do all I can to avoid eating too much. Consequently, although the "official" star rating is a 5, in reality, I'm giving it 5 for effort and 4 for achievement for an overall rating of 4.5 stars. You should get this one, but only after you own the Epic/Legacy GREATEST HITS, the first four albums, ALIVE IN SEATTLE, and JUPITERS DARLING.

Heart: Brigade (1990)

In 1990, just three years after releasing the album, "Bad Animals", Heart released their eleventh album entitled, "Brigade". The album shot straight to the #3 position, but it featured a raw edge rock sound that most fans can adore. The album is not too impressive, but it is impressive enough for me to enjoy to a certain point.



WILD CHILD

The second single from the album. The music is definitely raw and hard in its sound. Ann sounds incredibly fantastic on this song. Definitely amongst my many favorites songs.



ALL I WANNA DO IS MAKE LOVE TO YOU

The first single from the album. A Robert M. Lang penned tune, this is, yet, another amazing song about love on the road with a total stranger. Ann, once again, displays her powerful voice on this one.



SECRET

The sixth & final single from the album. Heart really knows how to reel off the power ballads. A song that talks about a working relationship that, for some strange reason, must be kept hidden from the world as a secret.



TALL, DARK HANDSOME STRANGER

The third single from the album. Another one of those hardcore rock tunes. A song no one should miss.



I DIDN'T WANT TO NEED YOU

The fourth single from the album. Not bad.



THE NIGHT

Okay.



FALLEN FROM GRACE

Okay.



UNDER THE SKY

Okay.



CRUEL NIGHTS

Okay.



STRANDED

The fifth single from the album. I used to enjoy hearing this song, but I do not care for it too much.



CALL OF THE WILD

Okay.



I WANT YOUR WORLD TO TURN

Although, sung by Nancy on lead vocals, it was also sung lead by Ann, making this song sort of a duet, just between the sisters. It may not be a raw hardcore rock song, but it is still worth listening to.



I LOVE YOU

Okay.



This is an album that proved Heart's career would be secure for the rest of their lives as the best rock band around. Buy the album and you'll get my drift.