Search - Jackson Browne :: Looking East

Some real classics and maybe a clunker or two

Frank J. Guszak | 01/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Interesting album, one that sounds like a return to his earlier pre-1980s work. Moreover, I would include "Barricades of Heaven" right up there with the best songs Browne has ever made. It sounds straight off "The Pretender." However, on this same album is one of the biggest clunkers Jackson has ever made and that is "Information Wars." This song is horrible! It is hard to fathom how this one got by the producer and on the final recording. Yes, the lyrics are intelligent, if not flowing. But the song sounds so ham-handed and dated, it is alomost like a Chevrolet commercial, with the horrid background vocals bellowing "Heartbeat of America!" I thought I was in 1985 again. HOWEVER, this sould not detract away from all of the other songs on this album that are consistently strong. So to sum up, one of Jackson's greatest songs ever, one of his worst, and several consistent songs. Is this a great Browne album? Probably not. Is it a bad one? Not at all. I own it and recommend it to other hardcore fans."

Jackson Browne still "Alive In The World"

Frank J. Guszak | 01/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having read most of the reviews I feel it a must to state catergorically that the 'Enhanced'computer section(on track 0)is just fantastic and as if the album isn't enjoyable enough in my audio player...when seeing what has been added by way of this 'enhanced'addition..I feel it is a brilliant concept to be able to look around a modern studio,the rehearsal room,hear comments from the band,read the lyrics and finally have the title song analised from start to finish in 4 different ways, is so interesting and excellent for any budding musicians!This has to be the future of c.d's?!Such fun to play around with!!"

A word about the production...

Frank J. Guszak | 11/25/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The album "sounds" incredible. Everything is recorded using tube amps and vintage guitars (I read that even the headphone amps in his studio are tube). The production is concise - no extra drum machines or string programs - but the sound is full and lush. It is refreshing, in this era of "techno pop" and MIDI sampling, to hear the faint squeek of fingers moving across guitar strings, and the drawbars moving on the Hammond.Jackson's recording values are as honest as his lyrics."