JOE WALSH – Analog Man

Label: Fantasy
Released: June 2012
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
6.5/10

Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh’s latest solo album (his first in 20 years) finds him ruminating on a life lived hard and lucky in the fast lane.  Sober nowadays, Walsh’s mellow reflection too often errs on the side of Eagles-ey West Coast bliss rather than the guitar playing which made him famous, but there is no denying that his amiable charm is ever-present.

When he hits the target he really cooks, like on the title track, Lucky That Way and Band Played On.  The pacey One Day At A Time is amongst the best on offer, singing of his addiction that he “finally got around to admitting the problem was mine”.  The instrumental India is another highlight, melding some subcontinental rhythms and experimental beats with another signature riff and some tasty soloing.

The middle few tracks really let the team down – Walsh seems unwilling to rock the boat, much less anything else, and the overly middle of the road production allows the pace to flag and his nasal drawl to irritate a little.

Overall, a little too complacent and laid back, Analog Man never-the-less sees Walsh charming his way through the door and making the album a worthy addition to the collection.

Category: CD Reviews