Customer Reviews

Lives in the Balance

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's said that great artists find inspiration in life's trials and tribulations, and that sure helps us to understand Jackson Browne's twist into more political concerns with this album released in the mid 1980s amid the controversy over the possibility of American intervention in Latin America. While not all of the songs included here are overtly political, the tone and focus of the album is with the way such involvement with foreign interference (as Browne sees it) corrupts and undermines any attempts to solve our own problems here at home. From the opening lyrics of the title song (late in the song cycle) announcing "I've been waiting for something to happen/ In a week or a month or a year/ With the blood of the ink in the headlines/ And the sound of the crowd in my ear", Browne lets us know that this time out he isn't as interested in dreamy self-absorption so much as animated social action to stop the government from another catastrophe like Vietnam.

Jackson Browne always uses the vehicle of his powerful songwriting and musical talents to advantage, and here it artfully carries his concern and message by way of some very memorable and provocative songs. So, while this is a very different album and a quite novel departure for Browne in terms of his previous work, the album itself is simply terrific. All of the songs here are good, but some are absolutely wonderful. I especially like "Lives In The Balance", "Candy", and "Lawless Avenues". I also really enjoy listening to "For America", and am stunned by the only truly personal and introspective song in the album, "In The Shape Of A Heart", which is another in the long line of such Browne efforts to mine his own relationships artistically. The song cycle ends with a soulful summary of sorts with "Black And White", which he reminds us, is not the way to best see and understand the world. I really like this album, and the artistic courage it took to release it. I highly recommend it for any and all Jackson Browne fans. Enjoy.

When you listen to "Lives in the Balance," the lyrics relate to the events in the Middle East today. It'll give you chills!

Jackson Browne released "Lives in the Balance" in the mid-1980s; however, the songs seem snatched from today's headlines: a war in Iraq (this time with us rather than the Iranians); the U.S. attempt to destabilize democratically elected governments in Latin America because we don't like them; an establishment which declares wars its children won't ever be called to fight. The more things change, ....

If there is anyone out there who still enjoys intelligent lyrics coupled with high spirited vocals all wrapped up into a classic rock blanket, then this is the title for you. I've listened it the tracks, "America", and "Lawless Avenues" numerous times, and unlike other music these days, it never gets "old". I'm sure you'll agree. If not, then you can at least appreciate JB's other great works that received far more attention. Because it is true that this particular JB title didn't get the appreciation that it deserves.

Lives in the Balance ranks up with the best of Jackson Browne. The title song and "In the Shape of a Heart" make the album worthwhile all by themselves.

My favorite Jackson Browne song is the catchy satire "Lawyers in Love," but my favorite Browne album is a toss-up between World in Motion and Lives in the Balance. Jackson Browne always had political commentary among his songs, but he became extremely activist on his albums in the '80s. This could have become an incredible bore if the man didn't make good music. Listening to his albums as a foreigner in another country, his politics were folksy in any case. I didn't get personally riled or say "Yeah!" But now, having lived in the U.S. for nine years, I have a better feel for its history and politics, so I could see where Browne was coming from. No doubt the man is a liberal, but I can live with that and still enjoy his songs.
"For America" was a big hit, at least overseas, and I remember the music video for it. So I wonder why Browne has left the song off both of his Best of compilations. Maybe because folks might misinterpret it as being a rah-rah for America song? It's not, it's a lament for what Browne saw as America's shortcomings even though he loved his country. The theme continues on "Soldier of Plenty," in which Browne excoriates Reagan-era America for its military involvement around the world, but most especially in Latin America. Browne reinforces his sympathies for Latin America by using Latin beats and Spanish guitar on a couple of songs here: "Lawless Avenues", a song about poverty and crime in the barrio, in which Browne sings a verse in Spanish, and the title track, which even has lovely backing and a bridge played on pan flute. My favorite track is probably the reggae-flavored "Til I Go Down," also a rant against Reagan and the military. "Black and White" is apparently a putdown for conservatives who see the world in black and white, believe communism was bad, and use terms like "evil empire." It also has a great melody.
On "Shape of a Heart," Jackson gets more introspective, singing about domestic violence, perhaps his own tendencies to beat on the women in his life. It is at least known by now that Browne lost his temper and smacked women around.
The problem with artists like Jackson Browne is that they overlook atrocities carried out by leftist dictators and non-Western megalomaniacs. For them, Fidel Castro is a great guy, just misunderstood. So Jackson and his pals always end up singing (and generally complaining) about how bad America is for not being a welfare state (?) and for using force to oust dangerous and brutal dictators, when a simple "You naughty boy!" and a futile U.N. resolution would do. But at least Jackson sounds nice when he complains. I really do like his music.

Get this album. Copy Lives In The Balance onto a new blank CD. Get Knopfler's Brothers In Arms. Burn it onto the same CD right behind Browne's song. Set your player to play them over and over. Buy lots of booze. Wait until midnight. Put on headphones. Get naked. Lay on floor. Play CD over and over. Drink everything. That's what I do every night. It really helps. Oops! Gotta run. I hear them coming up the stairs.

Very uneven album with 5 terrific songs -- For America, In The Shape Of A Heart, Lawless Avenues, Lives In The Balance and Black and White and 3 really bad songs -- Soldier of Plenty, Candy and Till I Go Down. Worth a listen -- 3.5 stars -- round up to 4 for In the Shape of a Heart.

Old school statements sound so good with this beautiful collection of tunes. Go ahead. Pick a favorite. Betcha can't. This is a "must have" if there ever was one.

This is simply another brilliant collection of songs by one of the worlds finest singer/songwriters. Jackson's sense of direction and lyrical vision is awe inspiring! The title track is the realization in which we as a people do indeed believe what we hear and are told so as to turn popular opinion against others and not our own. Jackson has always seen past the surface of what we are expected to think and believe proving that he truly does think for himself. Is this his best work? A difficult question indeed! For me it all balances on the type of mood I'm in. At times it is my favorite Browne album. The same could be said about any of his work. The Pretender? Late For the Sky? There is even beautiful work on Looking East and I'm Alive! The list goes on and on! Whether his music sends a message, tells a tale of sorrow and pain, or is just having fun, Browne remains the world's finest musical poet!