Search - Glenn Frey :: The Allnighter

I could play it all night!

Corey W. Taylor | Scranton, PA United States | 01/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A hot summer evening, your car, your girl, and Glenn Frey's 'The Allnighter' is all you need to bring back the memories of those nights you spent cruising the streets & highways and listening to the hottest tunes of the day. Even after 15 years or so, Glenn's masterpiece of Rock & Romance still sounds fresh and only a first-time listener would have trouble singing along.
The title track kicks things off with a fast-paced tale of a casanova-style encounter, then "Sexy Girl" echoes every man's memory of the one girl they hopelessly loved but could only dream about making their own. "I Got Love" sounds even more cheerful, while "Somebody Else" is an anthem for confrontation. Two unmistakable slow-dance gems arrive in the lonely and apologetic ballads, "Lover's Moon" and "Let's Go Home" But in between is the album's coolest song, "Smuggler's Blues", in which Glenn puts the pedal down and weaves a story of danger and frustration over the problem which still plagues society today. "Living In Darkness" is another rocker overshadowed a little by the patriotic finger-snapper, "Better In The U.S.A". The Al Green-ish closer "New Love" is one more ode to romance lost and found.
All in all, there is nothing on 'The Allnighter' to miss and much that you'll want to hear over and over. Some would say it's best appreciated while driving, but others might want to just sit outside, crack open a drink and let it play. I say it doesn't matter, You'll love this album either way, and it's still Mr. Frey's best work. Get this one in your player soon!"

Up All Night

Thomas Magnum | NJ, USA | 12/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Glenn Frey's solo career has been hit and miss, but on The Allnighter he fires on all cylinders. The album is propelled by the big hit "Smuggler's Blues" which is a great tale of drug dealers down in Florida. It's inventive video got major airplay on MTV and was the basis for a guest-starring role for Mr. Frey on Miami Vice. The album is more than just a one-hit affair. The title track is an ode to partying, "Sexy Girl" is a mid-tempo number that has a "New Kid In Town" flavor and "Better In The USA" is in the vein of a Chuck Berry number. Overall, this album shows Mr. Frey's ability to write a good hook and make listener-friendly music."

Inconsistent but with some real high points

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 03/08/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to say which was Glenn Frey's best solo album, because they're so much alike. Not to say that he is plagiarizing himself, but all of his solo records have some great songs, some good songs, and some filler, and the same thing goes for "The Allnighter". (Nice guitar work on the title track, though.)I sometimes program the flag-waving "Better In The USA" out when I listen to this album, and songs like the title track and "Sexy Girl" have dated pretty badly as well. Oh, and what is with all the synthezisers on "Living In Darkness"? Leave that to Don Henley, please!The good stuff outnumbers the mediocrities, though. "I Got Love" and "New Love" are a couple of really pleasant, soulful tunes. Great harmonies on "New Love", great piano and organ on "I Got Love".
The acoustic "Lovers' Moon" is just lovely, as is the tender "Let's Go Home".
"Somebody Else" is a mid-tempo blue-eyed soul tune with some slightly eerie lyrics (the narrator sounds seriously paranoid!), and some lovely sax playing.
And of course there is "Smuggler's Blues", the hardest and probably the best rocker Glenn Frey has ever forged during his years as a solo artist, complete with some mean, slashing slide guitar from the man himself.All in all, this is a really fine solo album, even with a few mediocre songs to weigh it down a little. Glenn Frey is a fine, expressive singer and a very good songwriter, and his R&B-like arrangements with horns and keyboards and lovely sax solos on "Let's Go Home" and "Somebody Else" are superb."