Rocktrospectiva: The Fantastic And Meticously Crafted "Building The Perfect Beast" Turns 40

 

 

Released on 19 November 1984, "Building The Perfect Beast" was the sophomore album by American rock singer Don Henley, the album was a commercial and critical success, it is generally regarded as the culmination of the smoother, more adult-oriented sound of Henley's solo work. The album spawned three singles "The Boys Of Summer", "All She Want To Do Is Dance", "Not Enough Love In The World" & "Sunset Grill", the four singles reached the Top 40 and the album peaked at No. 13.

The signature single "The Boys Of Summer" was an interesting case, it got huge amount of play on MTV, winning the "Video Of The Year" in the VMA's of 1985, althought Henley was a reluctant participant in the music video revolution.

By using a simply formula on the clip: He just was on the back of a flatbed pickup truck, lip-synching, and really didn’t do anything else.’ And it’s true, he didn’t, But it managed to turn Don Henley into a pop star, which is the power that MTV had in 1984, and thanks to this single and the other hits on the album, that the record was a huge commecial succes for Henley.

For the album, Henley collaborated primarily with guitarist Danny Kortchmar, along with members of the then line-up of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, who contributed to the writing of the songs: guitarist Mike Campbell, keyboardist Benmont Tench and drummer Stan Lynch. The album also features contributions from Fleetwood Mac's guitarist, Lindsey Buckingham, the Go-Go's lead vocalist Belinda Carlisle, and features contributions from Randy Newman, Jim Keltner, Waddy Wachtel, Pino Palladino, Steve Porcaro, and Ian Wallace.

The album was meticously crafted and programmed between love and plitics, according to Kurt Loder, the first side is given to personal reflection of love and loss just like "The Boys Of Summer", and the second part is more issue-oriented, from genetic engineering in "Building The Perfect Beast", to reckless foreign policy "All She Want To Do Is Dance", the ambitious "Sunset Grill" that move far away from their debut albut relied on synthesizers and pop sound, onto a more serious and adult-contemporary sound on this record. 

Building The Perfect Beast Track List:

 

1. The Boys Of Summer

2. You Can't Make Love

3. Man With A Mission

4. You're Not Drinking Enough

5. Not Enough Love In The World

6. Building The Perfect Beast

7. All She Wants To Do Is Dance

8. A Month Of Sundays

9. Sunset Grill

10. Drivin' With Your Eyes

11. Land Of The Living