Warren Zevon ()

This album is at once both gorgeous and grim. Warren paints his view of Hollywood against the glittery backdrop everyone initially sees, telling tales of junkies, lost loves, heavy partiers, and 'desperadoes'. The album starts off with 'Frank And Jesse James', an ideal 1st track that whips the listener through the story of two of the most famous outlaws in American history. Later in 'The French Inhaler' and the heartbreaking 'Hasten Down The Wind', WZ shifts gears and laments badly failed relationships. 'Carmelita' is a dark tale about a heroin addict forced to sell his precious Smith-Corona in order to see his dealer 'down on Alvarado Street by the Pioneer Chicken stand'. 'Poor Poor Pitiful Me', more of a hit for Linda Rondstadt than it was for Warren features Lindsey on backing vocals, which give the boucny yet desperate song a bit of bouncier harmony. 'Mohammed's Radio' is an extremely well-written rock gospel song also featuring Lindsey along with Stevie, again on background vocals. Lindsey ALSO plays guitar on the third track, 'Backs Turned Looking Down The Path', which along with 'Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded', are the two tracks that aren't as good as the rest, although the latter is noteworthy for being one of Warren's few autobiographical songs. 'I'll Sleep When I'm Dead' (also the name of Zevon's 2CD anthology featured elsewhere in The Penguin's expansive discography) is a plodding and noisy tune almost like Lindsey's 'Not That Funny' or 'What Makes You Think You're The One', and it's quite fun. 'Join Me In L.A.' is an oft-overlooked and beautifully murky track featuring Rosemary Butler and Bonnie Raitt on harmony. The best is saved for last though - 'Desperadoes Under The Eaves'. This song, featuring a clever intro that reprises the intro to 'Frank And Jesse James' has some of the smartest and most painful lyrics Warren has ever written. The epic is capped off with great harmonies arranged by Carl Wilson. This album isn't as well known as WZ's 'Excitable Boy', but it's just as good, if not better.

Bob Welch Looks At Bop: The X Fleetwood Mac Man's Tribute To Be-Bop ()

I got Bob Welch Looks At Bop from The Penguin kind of knowing what to expect, since I had heard the clips. I was still blown away, however. There's a very fresh, modern sound to everything and I'm surprised he did so much dense layering by himself. It's all very complex and never boring, much like Mr. Welch himself. Most songs have a few verses and lyrical lines, then launch into mostly instrumental parts. It's different, but once you'll get used to it, you'll like it. Best tracks in particular are "Telepathy", "Lush Life", and "Hustler" (the oft-mentined 'parental advisory' revision of "Silver Heels"). The only track that falls flat is the oddly grating "Pretty Things" which just sounds too awkward with the squeaky vocals (which sound like Bob's voice VSO'ed). I recommend checking out some of the Liquid Audio clips beforehand. If you like 'em, then go ahead and get the CD. And I highly reccomend getting it here, as it's cheap, extremely fast, and the CD liner sheet is autographed by Bob himself!