Don Henley

Henley's sophomore album, Building the Perfect Beast, is an acerbic look at life in Reagan-era America. In the midst of "me generation" excess, Henley delivers his biting, satirical message with a surprisingly gentle pop touch. Nearly two decades after its release, Building the Perfect Beast sounds as relevant as ever.

When The Eagles left their gilded nest, America didn't lose its favorite band, it gained a
plethora of solo artists. Among them, only drummer Don Henley is making consistently
compelling music, and his second solo effort manages to maintain the highest standards of
studio professionalism and lyrical acuity set by that high-flying band. Spontaneity has never
been Henley's strong suit, so he looks to score points with craft and tosses in a f... More >

This one makes you listen--its abrupt shapes and electro/symphonic textures never whisper Eagles remake. So thank cocomposer, multi-instrumentalist, and occasional arranger Danny Kortchmar, whose "You're Not Drinking Enough" (Merle Haggard, call your agent) and "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" (T-Bone Burnett, ditto) are at once the simplest and most effective songs on the record. Then blame the turgid lengths, tough-guy sensitivity, and "women are the only works of art" on the auteur, who still thinks perfect love is when you're crazy and she screams. (Grade - B)