ReviewsRolling Stone - Ranked #73 in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Albums Of The 80s" survey. Q (5/95, p.125) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...In contrast to the often-morose style of The Eagles, Henley is much more upbeat, combining a simple, direct energy with some dramatic synthesizers (as on the striking title track) into the acceptable face of American mainstream rock while keeping his wits about him..." Q (Magazine) (p.110) - "'The Boys Of Summer' was the measure of Henley's best work with the Eagles: a compelling treatise on growing old and disillusioned..."
Additional informationPersonnel includes: Don Henley (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer, drums, percussion); Lindsey Buckingham (guitar, background vocals); Danny Kortchmar (guitar, omnichord, keyboards, organ, synthesizer, synthesizer guitar, synthesizer horns, bass, percussion); Mike Campbell (guitar, synthesizer, percussion); Charlie Sexton (guitar); Ben Tench (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); David Paich (piano, synthesizer); Mike Boddicker (synthesizer, emulator, programming); Bill Cuomo (synthesizer, percussion programming); Steve Porcaro (synthesizer, programming); Randy Newman (synthesizer); Larry Klein, Pino Palladino, Tim Drummond (bass); Ian Wallace, Jim Keltner (drums); Belinda Carlisle, Sam Moore, Patty Smyth, Martha Davis (background vocals). Producers: Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, Greg Ladanyi, Mike Campbell. Recorded at Record One, Sherman Oaks, California; Bill Schnee Studio, Universal City, California; The Villa, North Hollywood, California. Although the 1980s production values sound a bit dated, Don Henley's BUILDING THE PERFECT BEAST is made up of 11 smartly written songs that stand the test of time. Henley's second solo endeavor, the release shows the various faces of the singer/songwriter, surrounded here by an excellent group of musicians, including longtime partner Danny Kortchmar. From the rocking "Man with a Mission" to the folk narrative "Month of Sundays" to the country ballad "You're Not Drinking Enough," BUILDING THE PERFECT BEAST is a record built upon variety. Two Henley hits are also found on this album, namely the steamy "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" and the reflective, bittersweet "The Boys of Summer," the latter of which features some of the artist's finest lyrics, along with music by Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell.