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

Rocktrospectiva: Don Henley's Finest Album "The End Of The Innocence" Turns 35

Released on 27 June 1989, "The End Of The Innocence" was Don Henley's third solo studio album and his last released on Geffen Records, it was also his last solo album before reforming The Eagles, and it would be eleven years before he released another solo project. Considered Henley's finest and best selling album, the album spawned five singles "The End Of The Innocence", "The Last Worthless Evening", "New York Minute", "The Heart Of The Matter" & "How Bad Do You Want It" and featured three top 40 singles "The End of the Innocence", "The Heart of the Matter", and "The Last Worthless Evening".

The End Of The Innocence feature career-defining songs that encapsulate the sound of the late 80s., recorded between 1987 and 1989, is Henley’s third solo album and one of his finest. Though not every track is awesome, the album’s high points are truly exceptional and are most certainly definitive in the sounds of the era, an album to be enjoyable, the songs need to flow and exist cohesively.

While the album’s artwork is reminiscent of the era, the production is timeless and finest with a brilliant level of musicianship, the album opened with "The End Of The Innocence" a magnificent title track and the perfect opener for the album. The piano focus and backbeat rhythm are distinctive but never detract from Henley’s vocals as the mix is textbook perfect and is, subsequently, one of the best songs Henley has ever recorded, next is "How Bad Do You Want It?" picks up the tempo with an upbeat jazzy feel. While the flow from the opening track can be a little jolty, the driving beat, lively horns, and Henley's raspy vocals, How Bad Do You Want It? is one of the more energetic, and purely 80s, songs on the album, "I Will Not Go Quietly" has a heavy rock sound that further traverses the album’s varied musical styles. While some may lament the sonic shifts, none are so alien as to remove one’s attention from the Don Henley experience. Interestingly, however, Axl Rose appears as a backing vocalist, the magnificent "The Last Worthless Evening" slows the tempo, with a country-styled song, it’s a lovely tune nonetheless, "New York Minute" is a great song and while I do wish it was an Eagles’ original, it is here and Henley knocked this song out of the park.  

We're in the middle of the album and "Shangri-La" has a killer tempo that will see you head-bopping and toe-tapping along an enjoyable and sometimes that is all that is required of an album-only tune, "Little Tin God" flows perfectly from Shangri-La as the styles are somewhat similar, but while some may appreciate the reggae feel, many feel it doesn't suit Henley's style. but still, The End Of The Innocence wouldn’t be the same without this tune, "Gimmie What You Got" has a funky groove, catchy chorus, and lively arrangement that makes it a banging tune which compels me to turn the volume up each time it comes on, "If Dirt Were Dollars" is a great song with a killer bluesy rock arrangement to complement Henley’s raw vocal energy. and finally "The Heart Of The Matter" is a lovely song to close the album on, but it does become an earworm; a thoroughly enjoyable one, but an earworm nonetheless. Still, it’s the perfect song that allows for contemplation of the music you’ve just heard while simultaneously encouraging you to play the record again.

The critical were variable but praised the album as one of his finest production, sharply focused lyrical studies of men in troubled transition, from youth to adulthood, innocence to responsibility, the synthesizers expanded his musical palette, with great melodies that allow his poignant lyrices to penetrate

Definitely, this album stands out as not only a timeless work but one that is cohesive and memorable. Yes, it is most certainly an album of the 80s, but its production is so strong that it can still be appreciated by modern audiences. For those with an interest in Henley, the Eagles, or classic rock, The End Of The Innocence is an essential listen.

 

The End Of The Innocence Track List: 

 

1. The End Of The Innocence

2. How Bad Do You Want It

3. I Will Not Go Quietly

4. The Last Worthless Evening

5. New York Minute

6. Shangri-La

7. Little Tin God

8. Gimme What You Got

9. If Dirt Were Dollars

10. The Heart Of The Matter