Customer Reviews

Looking East

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

 

 

Interesting album, one that sounds like a return to his earlier pre-1980s work. Moreover, I would include "Barricades of Heaven" right up there with the best songs Browne has ever made. It sounds straight off "The Pretender." However, on this same album is one of the biggest clunkers Jackson has ever made and that is "Information Wars." This song is horrible! It is hard to fathom how this one got by the producer and on the final recording. Yes, the lyrics are intelligent, if not flowing. But the song sounds so ham-handed and dated, it is alomost like a Chevrolet commercial, with the horrid background vocals bellowing "Heartbeat of America!" I thought I was in 1985 again. HOWEVER, this sould not detract away from all of the other songs on this album that are consistently strong. So to sum up, one of Jackson's greatest songs ever, one of his worst, and several consistent songs. Is this a great Browne album? Probably not. Is it a bad one? Not at all. I own it and recommend it to other hardcore fans.

I agree with the previous reviewer who said you must give this album a chance. Do not let yourself form a strong opinion on first listen. About the third time through, make sure you hear it on a good system with no one talking in the room. This is one of my most durable albums. I am always glad when it comes up in the juke box in the car, as it is great music to drive to.

Having read most of the reviews I feel it a must to state catergorically that the 'Enhanced'computer section(on track 0)is just fantastic and as if the album isn't enjoyable enough in my audio player...when seeing what has been added by way of this 'enhanced'addition..I feel it is a brilliant concept to be able to look around a modern studio,the rehearsal room,hear comments from the band,read the lyrics and finally have the title song analised from start to finish in 4 different ways, is so interesting and excellent for any budding musicians!This has to be the future of c.d's?!Such fun to play around with!!

The album "sounds" incredible. Everything is recorded using tube amps and vintage guitars (I read that even the headphone amps in his studio are tube). The production is concise - no extra drum machines or string programs - but the sound is full and lush.

It is refreshing, in this era of "techno pop" and MIDI sampling, to hear the faint squeek of fingers moving across guitar strings, and the drawbars moving on the Hammond.

Jackson's recording values are as honest as his lyrics.

In his album "Looking East" Jackson Browne gives another successful analysis of the human condition. His passionate lyrics and well -crafted melodies make this piece his best in years.

The man who has made such insightful comments concerning our social behaviors and emotional needs is now older and wiser. His commentary is more tempered, more forgiving and less accusatory. His intention here seems to be to bond with listeners- not to rally them to action. Even as one who was rallied to action in the past by Browne, I understand and accept this new approach.

The title track opens with some ripping guitar work and rocks all the way through. His heart-felt vocals give the song a lot of depth and strength. It sets the stage nicely for the tracks to follow.

I believe the second track "Barricades to Heaven" will go down as a true Jackson Browne "classic". The song has a truly haunting tune and the subtle instrumentation accents the song skillfully. "Barricades" follows some of the form of "Running on Empty" as the artist again takes us through a musical tour of his past. When he reminds us to "bring your redemption when you come" it sounds less like a sermon and more of a free lesson in life given by on of its more successful students.

"Some Bridges" is another fine track and one that has the most commercial possibilities. Browne's message here is another unique one. He replaces his gloom and doom messages of the `70's and 80's with one that says, "We are doing okay. We have knocked down some of the obstacles that stood in our way." He, however, cannot resist adding, "Some bridges are still around". In other words, "let's keep it going in the right direction guys".

Jackson's "I'm the Cat" is a cool and sultry analysis of the balance of power in a relationship. It is has a light and uncharacteristically frivolous feel that can be enjoyed on any level. To that point, both my six-year and three-year-old daughters have declared this their favorite track and they sing along from the back seat.! Art sees no age boundaries.

Though the album clearly loses momentum toward the end, the spirit continues and it is clearly an overall success.

"Looking East" represented an inspired return to form after the cathartic song cycle, "I'm Alive."This Japan-only issue contains one extra track. A rompin', stompin', gospel take on "World In Motion," which actually bests both his original and later effort with Pop Staples.Expensive as it may seem, fans will simply have to have it. And, save for an appearance on a long-overdue box set, this great remake of "Motion" won't be around forever.Lose your fears, and meet your dangers. Click to the secure server, and go for it!

Looking East sounds superb. It's a shame Jackson only contributes 10 songs per release. Considering he takes 3-4 years between CDs; fans are often confused as to why someone with so much talent wastes so much time. There is a great song on this disc entitled "Baby How Long," I guess only Jackson can answer this.

While "Looking East" is also available as a domestic release, the real attraction of this import version is the hidden bonus track, "World In Motion," in a stunning gospel take which bears the rare distinction of besting both Browne's original, and later effort on Pops Staples' "Peace In The Neighborhood." Although expensive for a single disc, fans will find this CD to be a worthwhile purchase.

Jackson Browne's 1996 album "Looking East" is quite a dramatic change of pace for him. This came out relatively quickly after his previous album, the masterpiece "I'm Alive"--less than a 2 & ½ year gap between the albums, which is a small gap for him. It's not surprising that, sonically, "Looking East" is essentially in the same vein as "I'm Alive", however this album is quite stylistically varied, & in that sense, it's rather ambitious. You get uptempo rock & roll on the title track, a couple of bluesy songs with "Culver Moon" & "Baby How Long", the Latin-esque "Nino" which is partly sung in Spanish, good-timey laid back rock & roll on "Some Bridges", & of course he doesn't forget to slip in a reggae tune: "It Is One". However, the varied styles sort of come across as an attempt to mask that Jackson is again suffering from writer's block. Regardless of Jackson's intent, the album feels slight--it largely ends up being good, enjoyable background music, but if you're looking for his characteristic emotional impact, it's sorely lacking on here. There are a few standouts though. "I'm the Cat" is a lyrically savvy, terrifically crafted, intricately detailed & infectiously catchy feel-good tune. The wistful youth reflection "The Barricades of Heaven" has really cool guitar & organ interplay and it's a terrific song, and "Alive In the World" is also a wistful and moving song, although it's a tad bit disappointingly plain lyrically. And that leads to another problem: many of the lyrics are tossed off & lacking depth--"Baby How Long" feels frustratingly incomplete; "Some Bridges" is a startlingly dull attempt at being uplifting; and "Information Wars", a characteristic political statement, is frustratingly shallow & lacking in his usual eloquence. "Looking East" IS a good album--it's an interesting diversion, & the fine musicianship & overall good taste of the album are entirely respectable. With lots of cheap used copies floating around, no fan should hesitate to pick this up, although for a guy like Jackson who's known for having a one of a kind ability at pulling your heartstrings, stirring your soul, & illuminating your mind, the album's overall slightness is undeniably a big disappointment.

(P.S. The Japanese CD version of this album features a partly overdone, but still strong live version of the song "World In Motion".)

Barricades is singularly the best song of Jackson's in over ten years. Some Bridges has flashes of old time JB brilliance. JB needs to stay smart and bring back David Linley permanantly. After those two songs the album is close to over. If Barricades had been intoduced by JB in the 70s or early 80s it would have had the type of airway playing time it deserves. When compared to the album's other songs, this ode to JB's youth makes nearly all of the rest of the album only barely palatable-but you choke it down to get to this very tasty morsel!