Before you go and listen to one note of Little Queen, know that in the mid- and late 1970s, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart were genuine role models – female musicians, not "chick singers," who did what was until then guy's work: they wrote songs, they played guitar, they sang, and not only did they rock pretty hard, but they also had hits ("Crazy on You," "Magic Man," and "Barracuda"), which put them one up on most of their peers.

In retrospect, what's most memorable about Heart is that the Wilsons were perhaps the most visible female rockers of the prepunk '70s; the only women whose stature rivaled theirs were Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, but in that case the rhythm section owned the band and the guitarist led them. The Wilsons, meanwhile, had center stage to themselves. But what's evident on listening to Little Queen is not only how tepid things were at that moment, but also that Heart's soft rock side was – contrary to legend – their strong suit. Anyone who can listen more than once to the four-plus minutes of "Barracuda," marked by a forgettable "Hi-ho, Silver" groove and paint-by-numbers posturing, needs rehab. The better moments are found on songs like the acoustic Zeppelin rip "Alive Again" (in case there was any doubt about the inspiration, the band offer a fair live acoustic version of "Stairway to Heaven" as a bonus track).

But my god, what was going on back then that inspired "Sylvan Song," which begins with 30 seconds of frogs and birds croaking and chirping? Listen if you dare to "Dream of the Archer," which opens with these lyrics: "Wayfaring warrior Soul – still wild / The archer stands / Arrow measured to the goal – sing of / Strong and living man." Were the Incredible String Band a big influence in the Northwest, where Heart were formed? Or was there a lot of really lame rock going around before punk came along and buried it? Check out Little Queen and get back to me. (J.H. Tompkins)