Heart of Stone

Originally this was gonna be a review for a German fansite but my German has gotten pretty bad since it's never used. I realize that many of you may not even care about this piece of art anymore... Or just think of Cher as the woman with the countless wigs, the boyfriends that could be her sons and the worst example of plastic surgery.

But in 1989 when Heart of Stone was released on vinyl it was a burner! This album opens with the unforgotten 'If I could turn back time'. A time-less anthem of love, regrets and pride or short, a signature Cher song. She puts more than just her heart into it, one can tell that She's had her fair share of regrets and she has been hurt. It's not an act. Not for her. Even more so than the song itself the video to accompany it has acclaimed fame due to it's controversy. A 43 year old woman clad in what could have been a car seat belt with a flimsy fishnet on top of it singing for hundreds of horny soldiers while humping their canons. In between all that was her 13 year old son, Elijah Blue Allman playing the guitar. Which man over the age of 30 could ever forget that video or the song? It does belong in every good rock collection, it's just an absolute classic. And if you've ever broken up with someone or been dumped there's nothing better than one of the sexiest women alive belt her pain out.

The next song is less of a rock anthem in fact it's a country song. 'Just like Jesse James' is a forgetable country song. It's not bad but it's not good either. Somehow it became a rather successful single which forces Cher - who hates the song herself - even nowadays to sing it at concerts and live appearances. And no this song is not about Sandra Bullock's ex-husband.

The third song almost sounds like Cher has looked for inspiration in Sandra's Jesse, but in truth this song was written by Michael Bolton. Again a typical rock ballad with strong female vocals by Cher. In an instant you know it's the 80's. In 1990 this was the last single release(Europe only) of one of Cher's most successful albums. 'You wouldn't know love' deals with a woman who has to face a man who's been cheating on her yet always comes back to her. Not as forgetable as it preceder but it doesn't stick long.

Next is the title track... Heart of Stone. A beautiful, melancholic song about the insanity we created for ourselves. The song has been relevant in '89 no question about it but in 2011 it has become even more so. The president of the US bombs countries which's names people usually can't even spell on a daily basis while Anarchism and Racism is the new Love and Peace. Especially the video shows how sad and tradgic some of those developments have been, but for Cher fans this video is very valuable due to the rare content of homevideos showing Cher with her Children and even her husbands, dating back to the early Sonny and Cher moments. The listener is encouraged to think about all that's going on in the world these days, not just about their own little blue-collar neighborhood.

'Still in love with you' deals again with a lost love. Naturally the man is the one breaking a woman's heart. She's never trusted her head even though she has had a hunch that her sweetheart wasn't quite as much in love with her as she was with him.
The drums are nicely accenturating Cher's matured voice and the E-guitar gives it a nice rockish sound. She's not Bonnie Tyler but it's a pleasant bawling-your-eyes-over-a-broken-relationship-song.

The next song was written by the man behind 'You give love a bad name', Desmond Child. It is one of those songs that are sung so sweet you almost miss the underlying sadness. Almost. In Cher's rendition it sounds more hopeful, like life's gonna change again and the protagonist couple is finally gonna live the life they want to live. The passages about the memories seem a tad bitter but that comes with Cher's own life experience, all in all 'Love on a Rooftop' is one of the finest love songs - for sure the most underrated one - of her career.

Passion and need rule the next track and likewise the song is rendered emotionally. The guitars are blearing, the drums are beating in a heavy, steady beat. Here's a woman singing about her inner most desires, it is to be with the man she loves and how he set's her on fire. 'Emotional Fire' is one of those rock-ballads that were so typical for the '80's, empowering... feminine... passionate. It is one of those songs you can listen to over and over and you always discover a new nouncé everytime you hear it.

A much gentler version of Emotional Fire is 'All Because of You'. It centers around the love that won't just subside even after a relationship ends. It's a beautiful love song but Cher's interpretation is so real, so emotional that it almost hurts to listen to it. A very underrated, beautiful song, a must for every Cher fan since Cher's voice is clearly at it's height and the center of the song. The instrumental background music is softer that in any of the other songs which really hightlights her voice.

Again 'Does anybody really fall in love anymore' is a nice little filler between the more memorable songs on this album. It's nice, but not overwhelmingly great or memorable. One listens to it, but as soon as the next song's on they have forgotten about this number.

The beginning with the mouth organ just inspires to dream and escape whatever worries might press the listener down at that moment in the next song. This song is uplifting, finally life goes on. There's a life after love. 'Starting over' is a beautiful song about moving on and finding new strength after the end of a relationship, but really this song can be applied to any situation.
Cher's voice is as soft and reassuring as can be, it's like the hot tea your mother used to make when you were sick. It's comforting, knowing and ultimately helping you get well again.

'Kiss to Kiss' is a nice popsong that could easily be a hit in the 2010s would it be re-released. The beginning is very much like the intro of 'I found someone' was during the Heart of Stone tour. It's a dreamy, desperate song.
This time it is not about breaking up, it's about living just for another kiss from one's lover. It's very soft and a perfect song for a romantic evening/night with a intimate.

'After all' closes the most successful pre-'Believe' Cher album. Personally it was never a song I could relate to nor like. It was too slow, too schmalzy, too... well it just wasn't right. Nothing worked for me, nonetheless this became a big hit with many fans - which is beyond me.
Once you watch the 'Farewell Tour' DVD though this song is beautifully arranged with scenes of Cher's life on screen, everything's there from Mask to Witches of Eastwick to Mermaids. Only Good Times and Chastity are missing.

All in all this album is a must have for every Cher fan. It touches hearts and is one of the most sincere albums of the grand diva. Despite the many songs circling around love and lost love, Cher herself was in a relationship with her true love - bagel boy Robert Camilletti. Maybe however the Cher-anthem 'If I could turn back time' was already a harbinger of things to come, Robert and Cher split just a year after due to the pressure of the constant press coverage.

Anyway, this album is a must-have for 80's and Cher fans. But even for those who don't fall into those characteristics it is one of those albums that can help you through rough times. May it be a break up or being separated from your family.
By now the original cover with Cher kneeling beside a Heart of Stone - which forms a skull if you look at it from afar - is a real rarity and a collectible among many Cher fans.