Joe Walsh
Songs For A Dying Planet (Pyramid/Epic Associated) (STAR)(STAR)1/2
After his last disaster, ”Ordinary Average Guy,” Joe Walsh is lucky to have a record deal. He`s also fortunate this time out to have old friend Bill Szymczyk at the helm. Szymczyk coaxes Walsh to some of his best guitar playing in years, layers some Eagle-esque harmonies onto ”Shut Up” and borrows riffs from ”Honky Tonk Woman” to spice up ”Fairbanks Alaska.” Walsh himself shows he`s still a skillful songwriter-when he wants to be-with the wistful piano ballad ”I Know,” the poignant ”Friend Song” and the 12-minute opus
”Decades,” which looks at a century of civilization`s decline.
Yet all too often, like on ”Fairbanks” and ”Vote For Me,” he`s still content to play the role of rock`s court jester, a caricature that`s long lost its appeal. If he ever grows up, he just might surprise everyone with a classic album, something he did as a producer eons ago on Dan Fogelberg`s
”Souvenirs.”
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