Celebration of "Analog Man"

I really hate to say this, but I will since it's not it's anniversary, and that is that I really am not a fan of this album. And it tears me apart to say this.. The only ones I like are ODAAT, and the title track (mostly out of relativity of being an analog fan), and I prefer the Eagles doing ODAAT from F1. The honeymoon effect with the album or the infatuation with a new record wore off pretty early.

To be completely honest, I don't even have it in my iTunes anymore. I certainly don't want to discourage Joe from making another record, but may I suggest he get away from Jeff Lynne. It is a very ELO sounding record, all gloss, lots of filler (can you tell I'm not an ELO fan? :hilarious:) and is veeeeery poppy. Not much true rock n' roll on this.

Being completely honest, I dig Felder's album a lot more than this, granted I don't like all the songs on it but it has more of a rock edge, IMO, than AM.

And ya'll know coming from me I'm not one to ever bash Joe, so it does pain me to say it, but it is what it is.

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Originally Posted by kaikoura

My 2 cents worth...Joe needs to do a longer version of India..so much potential for something special here..and maybe do a collaboration with Mark Knopler?

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I am this board's Mark Knopfler fanatic. I would love it if that could happen but I don't even know if Joe is a fan of Mark's work.

I agree the ELO overtones have to go..on the next album
As I write this Im wearing out my new CD.. Songs for a Dying Planet..
(I have many vinyl albums that met this fate..lol..)
I am just discovering Joe Walsh at my old age..
(He does seem to be the most grounded rock star on the planet)
I still think Joe should do an album with Mark Knoppler..
So glad to be here..Rock on!

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Originally Posted by WalshFan88

I really hate to say this, but I will since it's not it's anniversary, and that is that I really am not a fan of this album. And it tears me apart to say this.. The only ones I like are ODAAT, and the title track (mostly out of relativity of being an analog fan), and I prefer the Eagles doing ODAAT from F1. The honeymoon effect with the album or the infatuation with a new record wore off pretty early.

To be completely honest, I don't even have it in my iTunes anymore. I certainly don't want to discourage Joe from making another record, but may I suggest he get away from Jeff Lynne. It is a very ELO sounding record, all gloss, lots of filler (can you tell I'm not an ELO fan? :hilarious:) and is veeeeery poppy. Not much true rock n' roll on this.

Being completely honest, I dig Felder's album a lot more than this, granted I don't like all the songs on it but it has more of a rock edge, IMO, than AM.

And ya'll know coming from me I'm not one to ever bash Joe, so it does pain me to say it, but it is what it is.

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I love ELO. I don't think the filler is due to Jeff's influence; I think it's because the songs aren't strong enough. Songs like Fishbone & Spanish Dancer & Hi-Roller Baby... they are not very good songs. Don't get me started on the inclusion of But I Try. I have to say my own feeling is also one of general dissatisfaction.

I can see why you prefer Road To Forever. My own feeling is that RTF has too many ballads & doesn't actually showcase the guitar work as much as it should. But it must be said the songs are stronger in terms of lyrical content.

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Originally Posted by Freypower

I am this board's Mark Knopfler fanatic. I would love it if that could happen but I don't even know if Joe is a fan of Mark's work.

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Some one here must have connections..

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Originally Posted by kaikoura

Some one here must have connections..

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If you mean someone on this board, I'm sorry, but they don't. :-(

It was worth a shot..lol

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Originally Posted by Freypower

I love ELO. I don't think the filler is due to Jeff's influence; I think it's because the songs aren't strong enough. Songs like Fishbone & Spanish Dancer & Hi-Roller Baby... they are not very good songs. Don't get me started on the inclusion of But I Try. I have to say my own feeling is also one of general dissatisfaction.

I can see why you prefer Road To Forever. My own feeling is that RTF has too many ballads & doesn't actually showcase the guitar work as much as it should. But it must be said the songs are stronger in terms of lyrical content.

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Perhaps I was hard on Jeff, I think the songs are on Joe but I'm not a fan of that glossy sound on the record, it's a bit too poppy for me, it reminds me of certain ELO songs.

I agree also on RTF. But I do like songs like Girls in Black, now that is a good rocker. I think he should do more of that on the next record and less "Wash Away" type songs. But I will say, I can stomach Wash Away a lot more than Hi Roller Baby.

Am I the only person who thinks "Hi Roller Baby" is catchy and fun?

While Analog Man isn't the strongest of Joe's albums, it's leaps and bounds ahead of anything he'd done solo since The Confessor. I'm so glad his last solo album wasn't Songs for a Dying Planet.

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Originally Posted by sodascouts

Am I the only person who thinks "Hi Roller Baby" is catchy and fun?

While Analog Man isn't the strongest of Joe's albums, it's leaps and bounds ahead of the anything he'd done solo since The Confessor. I'm so glad his last solo album wasn't Songs for a Dying Planet.

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Say what? You don't like "Coyote Love" or perhaps maybe "Theme For Baroque Weirdos"?! :hilarious:

Analog Man is not my favorite. I do blame Jeff Lynne. I just want Joe to go back to sounding like Joe. No Mark Knopfler. He has nothing to do w/Joe and I don't want Joe to sound like Dire Straits. I really wish Bill S. would come out of retirement. THAT's how you get a Joe Walsh album. I wish the Eagles would work with him again as well. HE was the man behind the sound. Since that's very unlikely, I'd settle for Joe & Joe Vitale working together again, producing and creating.

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Originally Posted by sodascouts

Am I the only person who thinks "Hi Roller Baby" is catchy and fun?

While Analog Man isn't the strongest of Joe's albums, it's leaps and bounds ahead of anything he'd done solo since The Confessor. I'm so glad his last solo album wasn't Songs for a Dying Planet.

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I tried and tried and tried to like The Confessor but I was convinced that Joe was finished, he'd lost whatever it was that made me love him and his recording career was over.

Got Any Gum wasn't as bad but no cause for optimism, Ordinary Average Guy seemed like Joe jumping through hoops to be worth a record contract, Songs For A Dying Planet, was a bolt out of the blue, unexpected joy. The first time I played the CD, I was in tears during the amazing intro to Decades, and then again when the background music fades to leave just Joe and his acoustic playing.

1992, 16 or so months after Ordinary Average Guy, Joe releases the best album he's done since joining the Eagles in 1975. Not a collection of songs but a series of moments of delight for Walsh fans.

Since joining the Eagles, I think Joe's become too song based and as albums have given away to individual track downloads, I wasn't expecting anything as immersive as Songs For A Dying Planet from Analog Man.

I was a big ELO fan but Jeff Lynne is not the man for Joe's music. Joe say's everything Jeff touches sounds perfect for the radio but the radio isn't anywhere near as important as it was in the analog days to promote new music.

Opening track, Analog Man is a great concept but some of the lyrics were already old hat when it was released and it seems to me to be a perfect launchpad for an extended instrumental section that sadly, never happens.

Wrecking Ball is a fine rocker with great lyrics and a nice riff. It deserves to be more substantial but it's a little too short.

Lucky That Way is an affable country pop song. Well executed but there are dozens of guitar strumming artists, releasing this type of material. I'm more opposed to songwriters for hire, like Tommy Lee James than I am to Jeff Lynne.

I actually listen to Spanish Dancer quite a lot. Lyrically very similar to I Love To Watch A Woman Dance, musically it's Joe singing ELO. I wish it had a bit more of an intro and a bit more of an outro.

Again, Band Played On, too concise for me. It has a fabulous concept. Using the band playing on, as if nothing is happening as the Titanic was floundering to it's/her death as a metaphor for people in power today, inventing ways to avoid addressing the ecological problems that are causing the destruction of the planet's ecosystems. I like the sitar, I like the melody. Could do without the bubbles at the end though. Could Band Played On have followed Long Road Out Of Eden on disc 2 of that Eagles album?

Almost every Walsh album has a synth laden ballad and Family ticks that box for Analog Man.

I'm convinced One Day At A Time has the wrong tempo. Straightforward ELO backing again. I'd like to hear it with a more relaxed Reggae feel. It has another Walsh solo that is simply, Walsh guitar over an instrumental verse. I expect a little more from Joe.

Hi Roller Baby is apparently a song that Joe was asked to sing to provide a guide vocal for somebody else. Written by Tim Armstrong of Punk Rock band, Rancid, and female artist LP. I'm not sure Joe was initially aware that she wrote it too. He checked her out on YouTube after the album was released and was impressed. Tim and Joe share a Lawyer or some other guy who wears a suit and tie and works in an office.
I'm not sure about HRB's cluttered arrangement, again too busy but there's some lovely acoustic guitar in there somewhere and it's a fun, singalong ditty. Just Joe and his acoustic would've done for me.

Funk 50, my adopted moniker:partytime: again too short, (unlike most of my posts:)) so short you could say inconsequential. Great lyric, always destined to be overshadowed by Funk #49 but I'm glad he did it. I just wish he'd done a little more of it... and used a live drummer/percussionist.

Never thought I'd hear Joe playing dance music but India is Joe playing dance music. A pleasant and undoubted surprise, I hope he explores it a little more in future.

Fishbone is Joe playing blues. Joe's an outstanding all round musician/guitarist. Great blues players are pretty common. I think Joe should leave the blues to those guys and play the stuff that's out of their league.

But I Try isn't a Joe Walsh track. It's a James Gang track with Lttle Richard singing and playing piano. Joe Vitale says Little Richard can only play in the key of C so I guess, But I Try is in the key of C.

All those people who say Joe should never have joined the Eagles, he was at his best in the James Gang, this is Joe in the James Gang. I'm pretty sure it was the first song voted off the Analog Man Song Survivor but I think it's great. Sure it's a Jam that kind of loses it's way but it was never meant to be released on a record so I'm delighted that I've had a chance to hear it.

I wouldn't add it to a James Gang compilation though.

Much like Long Road Out Of Eden, Analog Man is almost a rebirth album, just getting used to the environment again after a mighty long break. Pretty good with the promise of better to come.

Thanks for your post honeymoon critiques WalshFan88, Freypower, sodascouts and Midnight Visitor (Szymczyk would be great but I wouldn't deny a guy his retirement)... and enjoy your journey through the Walsh albums kaikoura, there's a few nearly Walsh albums to enjoy too.

I hope you get as much joy as I did although I hope Joe stays clear of Mark Knopfler. I don't dislike MK but it seems to me that he'd rather be M.O.R, (middle of the road) than rock.

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Originally Posted by Midnight Visitor

Analog Man is not my favorite. I do blame Jeff Lynne. I just want Joe to go back to sounding like Joe. No Mark Knopfler. He has nothing to do w/Joe and I don't want Joe to sound like Dire Straits. I really wish Bill S. would come out of retirement. THAT's how you get a Joe Walsh album. I wish the Eagles would work with him again as well. HE was the man behind the sound. Since that's very unlikely, I'd settle for Joe & Joe Vitale working together again, producing and creating.

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You can work with someone you have had 'nothing to do with', you know. Knopfler's solo work doesn't really sound like Dire Straits, not that there is anything wrong with that, in my humble opinion. I doubt it would happen, but as I am a huge Knopfler fan the idea intrigues me. One track would be enough; not a whole album.

Oh, and F50, I don't think Knopfler is 'MOR' at all. I don't know if you have listened to his solo albums but they are not 'MOR'. They just don't all sound like Money For Nothing.

Im going out on a limb here..
We are all Analog People?! :group hug::grouphug:
In actuality..

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Originally Posted by Funk 50

I tried and tried and tried to like The Confessor but I was convinced that Joe was finished, he'd lost whatever it was that made me love him and his recording career was over.

Got Any Gum wasn't as bad but no cause for optimism, Ordinary Average Guy seemed like Joe jumping through hoops to be worth a record contract, Songs For A Dying Planet, was a bolt out of the blue, unexpected joy. The first time I played the CD, I was in tears during the amazing intro to Decades, and then again when the background music fades to leave just Joe and his acoustic playing.

1992, 16 or so months after Ordinary Average Guy, Joe releases the best album he's done since joining the Eagles in 1975. Not a collection of songs but a series of moments of delight for Walsh fans.

Since joining the Eagles, I think Joe's become too song based and as albums have given away to individual track downloads, I wasn't expecting anything as immersive as Songs For A Dying Planet from Analog Man.

I was a big ELO fan but Jeff Lynne is not the man for Joe's music. Joe say's everything Jeff touches sounds perfect for the radio but the radio isn't anywhere near as important as it was in the analog days to promote new music.

Opening track, Analog Man is a great concept but some of the lyrics were already old hat when it was released and it seems to me to be a perfect launchpad for an extended instrumental section that sadly, never happens.

Wrecking Ball is a fine rocker with great lyrics and a nice riff. It deserves to be more substantial but it's a little too short.

Lucky That Way is an affable country pop song. Well executed but there are dozens of guitar strumming artists, releasing this type of material. I'm more opposed to songwriters for hire, like Tommy Lee James than I am to Jeff Lynne.

I actually listen to Spanish Dancer quite a lot. Lyrically very similar to I Love To Watch A Woman Dance, musically it's Joe singing ELO. I wish it had a bit more of an intro and a bit more of an outro.

Again, Band Played On, too concise for me. It has a fabulous concept. Using the band playing on, as if nothing is happening as the Titanic was floundering to it's/her death as a metaphor for people in power today, inventing ways to avoid addressing the ecological problems that are causing the destruction of the planet's ecosystems. I like the sitar, I like the melody. Could do without the bubbles at the end though. Could Band Played On have followed Long Road Out Of Eden on disc 2 of that Eagles album?

Almost every Walsh album has a synth laden ballad and Family ticks that box for Analog Man.

I'm convinced One Day At A Time has the wrong tempo. Straightforward ELO backing again. I'd like to hear it with a more relaxed Reggae feel. It has another Walsh solo that is simply, Walsh guitar over an instrumental verse. I expect a little more from Joe.

Hi Roller Baby is apparently a song that Joe was asked to sing to provide a guide vocal for somebody else. Written by Tim Armstrong of Punk Rock band, Rancid, and female artist LP. I'm not sure Joe was initially aware that she wrote it too. He checked her out on YouTube after the album was released and was impressed. Tim and Joe share a Lawyer or some other guy who wears a suit and tie and works in an office.
I'm not sure about HRB's cluttered arrangement, again too busy but there's some lovely acoustic guitar in there somewhere and it's a fun, singalong ditty. Just Joe and his acoustic would've done for me.

Funk 50, my adopted moniker:partytime: again too short, (unlike most of my posts:)) so short you could say inconsequential. Great lyric, always destined to be overshadowed by Funk #49 but I'm glad he did it. I just wish he'd done a little more of it... and used a live drummer/percussionist.

Never thought I'd hear Joe playing dance music but India is Joe playing dance music. A pleasant and undoubted surprise, I hope he explores it a little more in future.

Fishbone is Joe playing blues. Joe's an outstanding all round musician/guitarist. Great blues players are pretty common. I think Joe should leave the blues to those guys and play the stuff that's out of their league.

But I Try isn't a Joe Walsh track. It's a James Gang track with Lttle Richard singing and playing piano. Joe Vitale says Little Richard can only play in the key of C so I guess, But I Try is in the key of C.

All those people who say Joe should never have joined the Eagles, he was at his best in the James Gang, this is Joe in the James Gang. I'm pretty sure it was the first song voted off the Analog Man Song Survivor but I think it's great. Sure it's a Jam that kind of loses it's way but it was never meant to be released on a record so I'm delighted that I've had a chance to hear it.

I wouldn't add it to a James Gang compilation though.

Much like Long Road Out Of Eden, Analog Man is almost a rebirth album, just getting used to the environment again after a mighty long break. Pretty good with the promise of better to come.

Thanks for your post honeymoon critiques WalshFan88, Freypower, sodascouts and Midnight Visitor (Szymczyk would be great but I wouldn't deny a guy his retirement)... and enjoy your journey through the Walsh albums kaikoura, there's a few nearly Walsh albums to enjoy too.

I hope you get as much joy as I did although I hope Joe stays clear of Mark Knopfler. I don't dislike MK but it seems to me that he'd rather be M.O.R, (middle of the road) than rock.

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I too loved Songs From a Dying Planet!! The man was totally ahead of his time as far as the message he's delivering on that album. Also, it was the last time he worked with Bill S.! Bill always brings out the best in Joe.

However, I also love Average Ordinary Guy. So many great songs on that album! A fun time party album that was finally getting away from that keyboard sound of the 80's.

I prefer Joe's 2 albums from the 90's over any of his albums from the 80's. They were spotty at best. Even Joe thinks that the 80's were a waste of time.

I liked most of the songs on Analog Man. The only thing I really dislike about the album is that it sounds like a Joe Wilbury album. No more Jeff Lynne please and no Mark Knopfler. At this point I'd rather see him work w/the Foo Fighters than sound like another artist from the 70's - 80's.

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Originally Posted by kaikoura

Im going out on a limb here..
We are all Analog People?! :group hug::grouphug:
In actuality..

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And I mean this in true sense of the word..pre digital world..
(Not the album per se)..

happy Friday

Im watching Farewell Tour 1..as we speak..its so over the top!:band:
And JW is the man!

Rocky Mountain Way is blowing me away as I write this:rockguitar:

All she wants to do is dance..:yay:

Ive had a few beers..get up and dance..have a good night..

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Originally Posted by Midnight Visitor

I liked most of the songs on Analog Man. The only thing I really dislike about the album is that it sounds like a Joe Wilbury album. No more Jeff Lynne please and no Mark Knopfler. At this point I'd rather see him work w/the Foo Fighters than sound like another artist from the 70's - 80's.

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You object to Mark Knopfler being from the 70s & 80s. He has been making solo albums since Dire Straits disbanded in the 90s. He is about to release a new one. If you don't like the guy, OK but he has done far more work than many other artists from the '70s & 80s'.

Also, one person made one suggestion that it would be an interesting collaboration, which I agreed with as I am a Mark Knopfler fan. That's all it was.

Exactly where I was going with that..Happy Friday:cheers:

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Originally Posted by Midnight Visitor

I prefer Joe's 2 albums from the 90's over any of his albums from the 80's. They were spotty at best. Even Joe thinks that the 80's were a waste of time.

I liked most of the songs on Analog Man. The only thing I really dislike about the album is that it sounds like a Joe Wilbury album. No more Jeff Lynne please and no Mark Knopfler. At this point I'd rather see him work w/the Foo Fighters than sound like another artist from the 70's - 80's.

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There was a leading guitarist who said his favourite Walsh album was There Goes The Neighborhood. Thought it was Steve Lukather, I'm wracking my brain now :brickwall:

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Originally Posted by Guitar Player Magazine January 2014

What of Joe Walsh sticks out to you most?

Steve Lukather
Oh, God, everything Joe’s ever done, from the first James Gang album to “Analog Man.” I’ve got it all. I’m a Walsh fanatic. I love Joe, and he’s one of the nicest guys on planet Earth. He’s a bud, and he’s a friend. I was so excited that we got to play on the same song. We did Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry”—we both had solos on that tune. I was so excited to play on a track with Walsh—it’s like childhood hero s**t coming true.
Oh, God, everything Joe’s ever done, from the first James Gang album to “Analog Man.” I’ve got it all. I’m a Walsh fanatic. I love Joe, and he’s one of the nicest guys on planet Earth. He’s a bud, and he’s a friend. I was so excited that we got to play on the same song. We did Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry”—we both had solos on that tune. I was so excited to play on a track with Walsh—it’s like childhood hero s**t coming true.

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All Joe's post Eagles albums, including But Seriously Folks, have too much vocal and not enough instrumental, IMHO.
Without India, which was specially requested by Irv Azoff, Analog Man would be bereft of instrumental interludes barring the mood interrupting, jarring section during Spanish Dancer (Sounds similar to Zeon's Nightime In The Switching Yard) and both of those are more rhythmic than emotional or melodious diversions.

One thing I don't like that Joe retains from the analog days is a resistance to turn up the bass.
Too much bass on an LP would make the needle jump. One of Joe's (and Bill Szymczyk's) great skills was an ability to make his records sound powerful despite the restrictions on bass levels but with digital (and live music) you can turn the bass up to room shaking volume.

I think Joe needs to find a modern producer who knows how to mix the music with the bass up loud. Brian Eno's a very interesting producer, I love the sound of Ringo's self produced last album. Previously mentioned, Steve Lukather's pretty good too, Richard Marx or Joe Vitale. Foo Fighters production, I'm not sure about. I daren't mention MK.

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Originally Posted by Funk 50

There was a leading guitarist who said his favourite Walsh album was There Goes The Neighborhood. Thought it was Steve Lukather, I'm wracking my brain now :brickwall:



All Joe's post Eagles albums, including But Seriously Folks, have too much vocal and not enough instrumental, IMHO.
Without India, which was specially requested by Irv Azoff, Analog Man would be bereft of instrumental interludes barring the mood interrupting, jarring section during Spanish Dancer (Sounds similar to Zeon's Nightime In The Switching Yard) and both of those are more rhythmic than emotional or melodious diversions.

One thing I don't like that Joe retains from the analog days is a resistance to turn up the bass.
Too much bass on an LP would make the needle jump. One of Joe's (and Bill Szymczyk's) great skills was an ability to make his records sound powerful despite the restrictions on bass levels but with digital (and live music) you can turn the bass up to room shaking volume.

I think Joe needs to find a modern producer who knows how to mix the music with the bass up loud. Brian Eno's a very interesting producer, I love the sound of Ringo's self produced last album. Previously mentioned, Steve Lukather's pretty good too, Richard Marx or Joe Vitale. Foo Fighters production, I'm not sure about. I daren't mention MK.

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Mention him all you like. He produces his own albums. He doesn't produce other people. He probably wouldn't be right for Joe in this regard. I maintain it would be interesting to hear the two of them play guitar together & that is where I will leave it.

I have to say that I stand by my comments about this album that I made when it came out in 2012. I still think is one of Joe's best solo efforts ever. It is still uniquely Joe - but with a much more, sober, mature, and reflective tone. For the most part, I enjoy Jeff Lynne's contributions to the album. Re: Mark Knopfler and Joe teaming up, I think it would make for a very interesting collaboration.

I'm looking forward to Joe's next album. Not his blues collaboration project, all though I'm sure that'll be creditable but his next music under his own name. I'm hoping his reunion with Barnstorm produces something tangible.

Whatever it is, I hope it stirs the emotions. I'd be mighty disappointed if it turned out to be merely interesting.

Joe's adventure with the Foo Fighters was interesting and then some. I wont make a habit of listening to it though.

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Originally Posted by Funk 50

I'm looking forward to Joe's next album. Not his blues collaboration project, all though I'm sure that'll be creditable but his next music under his own name. I'm hoping his reunion with Barnstorm produces something tangible.

Whatever it is, I hope it stirs the emotions. I'd be mighty disappointed if it turned out to be merely interesting.

Joe's adventure with the Foo Fighters was interesting and then some. I wont make a habit of listening to it though.

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I can't wait for his blues collaboration!! Joe doing what Joe wants to do. Couldn't get any better then that!

I was perhaps unduly dismissive of his early 90s work; I respect that it has its fans. Joe is so versatile that it's no surprise how diverse opinions of his work are!

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Originally Posted by sodascouts

I was perhaps unduly dismissive of his early 90s work; I respect that it has its fans. Joe is so versatile that it's no surprise how diverse opinions of his work are!

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Joe's record company were so dismissive of his early eighties post Eagles material, he wondered whether they'd notice if he slipped a track named, I Like Big Tits (I.L.B.T.s) onto one of his records.

They didn't!

Happy 3rd Birthday to Analog Man. I like a few songs from this album.

Three years already?!

I like several of them too. Analog Man the most!

Happy 3rd Birthday to Analog Man!

It's still Joe's new album to me. I always have a couple of Analog Man tracks on the list, when I fancy listening to some Walsh, (which is very often).

Mostly; Analog Man, Wrecking Ball & Band Played On
Not quite so much; Spanish Dancer, Hi Roller Baby, One Day At A Time, India & Funk 50
Rarely; Lucky That Way, Family and the two bonus tracks.

The live versions are pretty good too. The last time I listened to India, it sounded better than ever.

I wish all the tracks were longer.

I do love this joe album

My how time flies........

An interview clip I stumbled across from the release period of Analog Man. (Like the clips I added in Glenn's thread, this may already be here somewhere.) I love the way he credits Marjorie for the completion of the album.

http://www.whio.com/s/entertainment/music/the-eagles/

Happy 4th Birthday to Analog Man.

I love this album and I love majority of the songs on this album.

I'm so glad Joe did this album. It's great that he's still active and I hope he's not done yet.

Ah, Analog Man...

I have to say two things.

First, I'm glad Joe is still active and I am thankful he put something out. Regardless of my comments to come, I'll take any Joe Walsh music any way I can get it.

Now to the negative stuff (lol). This album has not aged well for me. To me the ELO-style Jeff Lynne sheen over these songs is palpable. And I don't like ELO lol. I do like pop rock, but 1/3 of these songs are just to cheesy for me, and not even in Joe's typical way (I love songs like ILBTs, etc). It's just filler IMO.

The standout tracks on this album for me are the title track (which he still plays live, so that's saying something), Wrecking Ball, and One Day At A Time (although I still prefer the F1 version of that).

Songs like Hi-Roller Baby and Fishbone are songs that I never listen to, honestly. Ick. Lucky That Way and Band Played On are ok. Funk 50 is cool. Spanish Dancer, India, Family, and But I Try I don't care either way.

IMO, it's just not like his 70s and even later output. It just has this icing on everything that screams Jeff Lynne.

Am I the only one who likes "Hi-Roller Baby"? So catchy!

I do agree that some are a bit much. I don't really like "India" and "Spanish Dancer." "But I Try" doesn't really count for me. It's just supposed to be a "How cool, a vintage James Gang/Little Richard jam" moment.

Happy 5th Birthday to Analog Man. My second favorite Joe album.

Love "Family", "One Day at a Time", and "Analog Man".