Jupiters Darling (CD)

When Heart went into a hiatus of sorts in the mid-1990s, Nancy Wilson delved into film scoring, periodically joining her sister Ann in the acoustic duo the Lovemongers. The long absence of Heart left fans hoping for a new studio album, with fingers crossed that a return to the band's roots was inevitable.

The 16 tracks that make up 2004's JUPITER'S DARLING are rife with rock-solid writing, passionate vocals, and seasoned musicianship. With help from the overflowing well of Seattle talent (including guest guitarists Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and Jerry Cantrell, formerly of Alice in Chains), the group includes rock bass veteran Mike Inez (Ozzy Osbourne, Alice in Chains). Love lost, and better left behind, is the prevailing theme strung across "Make Me," "Perfect Goodbye," and the heavy-grooving "Move On." "Oldest Story in the World" aims a pointed finger at the media, while "Vainglorious" shoots an arrow at its self-obsessed target. A Zeppelinesque spirit is channeled through "Things," "Enough," and the homesick "Led to One." Strangely familiar and yet distinctly of its time, JUPITER'S DARLING is a welcome return, sure to please both old and new Heart fans.