Interscope Records releases a vibrant re-mastered 180-gram double vinyl of Don Henley’s enduring solo album.
Don Henley – Building The Perfect Beast – Interscope Records 602465150391 40th anniversary 180-gram 2-LP [4/29/2026], 46:41 ****1/2:
(Don Henley – drums, keyboards, percussion, vocals; Mike Campbell – guitar, synthesizer, percussion; Steve Porcaro – synthesizer, programming; Danny Kortchmar – guitar, keyboards bass, percussion; Larry Klein – bass; Lindsay Buckingham – guitar, vocals; Ben Tench – piano, keyboards synthesizer; Pino Palladino – bass; Charlie Sexton – guitar; Belinda Carlisle – vocals; David Paich – piano, synthesizer; Tim Drummond – bass; Sam Moore – vocals; Ian Wallace – drums; Albhy Galuten – synclavier; Mike Boddicker – synthesizer, emulator programming, sequencing; Kevin McCormick – African drums; Patty Smyth – vocals; Martha Davis – vocals, chant; Michael O’Donahue – chant; Carla Olson – chant John David Souther – chant; Waddy Wachtel – chant; Randy Newman – synthesizer; Jim Keltner – drums; Bill Cuomo – synthesizer, percussion, programming)
Texas-born Don Henley was a founding member of the Eagles. The band began as a folk rock/country-influenced act (with original members Glenn Frey, Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon). Rising to the apex of the rock world, Henley’s songwriting partnership with Frey defined the success of the group with songs like “Desperado”, “Tequila Sunrise”, “One Of These Nights”, “Best Of My Love” and “Hotel California”. When the Eagles disbanded in 1980, Henley embarked on a productive solo career. Singles like “Dirty Laundry’, “All She Wants To Do Is Dance”, “The Boys Of Summer”, “The End Of The Innocence” and “The Heart Of The Matter” sustained his prominence as a lead singer and collaborative songwriter.
Interscope Records has released a 2-LP 180-gram re-mastered vinyl of Henley’s second solo album, Building The Perfect Beast. Backed by a veritable “who’s who” of Los Angeles musicians, Henley’s unique raspy “low” tenor is surrounded by a layered tapestry of synthesizer/guitar rock arrangements. Like his work with the Eagles, the songwriting contemplates satire, wry introspection, social commentary and troubadour romanticism. Side One opens with “The Boys Of Summer”. With a synthesizer groove-infused tempo, Henley recounts a desperate sense of lost love (“…My love for you will still be strong, after the boys of summer have gone”) and irony (“…Out on the road today, I saw a DEADHEAD sticker on a Cadillac…”). The urgent vocal performance captures the moment. Jaunty medium-tempo reflections of imperfect romance, “Not Enough Love In The World” and “You Can’t Make Love” are accessible melodies that move effortlessly. In a change of pace, the title track is hard-charging with enhanced studio effects, chants and unrestrained lead vocals.
There are socio-political themes in Henley’s lyrics that provide a deeper context to the songs.. “All She Wants To Do Is Dance” has a groove-infused dance vibe, but with cautionary lyrics about the U.S. involvement in Central America. This track received significant airplay on MTV. Another highlight is the inclusion of the elegiac “A Month Of Sundays”, that didn’t appear on the 1984 vinyl. Scaled down instrumentation and Henley’s plaintive delivery underscore the haunting lament of the farmer narrator. “Sunset Grill” is a whimsical biting observation of 80’s Los Angeles. Henley intermingles nostalgia with fears about changing society. Heavy synthesizer runs help to frame the dichotomy of holding onto the past and being resigned to a tenuous future. The finale (“Land Of The Living”) has a laid-back feel with exploration of love’s redemptive nature. (“…And I was slippin’ away, you came and pulled me through…”)
This re-mastered double vinyl of Building The Perfect Beast will be a valuable addition to any vinyl rock collection. Vibrant musical arrangements and incisive lyrics keep this album relevant.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
Don Henley – Building The Perfect Beas
TrackList:
Side One: The Boys Of Summer; You Can’t Make Love; Man With A Mission
Side Two: You’re Not Drinking Enough; Not Enough Love In The World; Building The Perfect Beast
Side Three: All She Wants To Do Is Dance; A Month Of Sundays
Side Four: Sunset Grill; Drivin’ With Your Eyes Closed; Land Of The Living.
