Building the Perfect Beast

Rating

Album: Building the Perfect Beast
#	Song Title		Time
1)	The Boys Of Summer Album Version	More Info...	4:49
2)	You Can't Make Love Album Version	More Info...	3:34
3)	Man With A Mission Album Version	More Info...	2:44
4)	You're Not Drinking Enough Album Version	More Info...	4:42
5)	Not Enough Love In The World Album Version	More Info...	3:54
6)	Building The Perfect Beast Album Version	More Info...	5:00
7)	All She Wants To Do Is Dance Album Version	More Info...	4:29
8)	A Month Of Sundays Album Version	More Info...	4:30
9)	Sunset Grill Album Version	More Info...	6:19
10)	Drivin' With Your Eyes Closed Album Version	More Info...	3:36
11)	Land Of The Living Album Version	More Info...	3:23

Album: Building the Perfect Beast
#	Song Title		Time
1)	The Boys Of Summer Album Version	More Info...	4:49
2)	You Can't Make Love Album Version	More Info...	3:34
3)	Man With A Mission Album Version	More Info...	2:44
4)	You're Not Drinking Enough Album Version	More Info...	4:42
5)	Not Enough Love In The World Album Version	More Info...	3:54
6)	Building The Perfect Beast Album Version	More Info...	5:00
7)	All She Wants To Do Is Dance Album Version	More Info...	4:29
8)	A Month Of Sundays Album Version	More Info...	4:30
9)	Sunset Grill Album Version	More Info...	6:19
10)	Drivin' With Your Eyes Closed Album Version	More Info...	3:36
11)	Land Of The Living Album Version	More Info...	3:23

Performer Notes

Personnel 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.
Personnel: Don Henley (vocals, chant, keyboards, drums, percussion); J.D. Souther, Michael O'Donahue, Martha Davis , Patty Smyth, Carla Olson (vocals, chant); Lindsey Buckingham (vocals, guitar); Richard Wachtel, Marie Pascale Elfman, Dominique Mancinelli, Sam Moore, Belinda Carlisle (vocals); Danny Kortchmar (chant, guitar, organ, omnichord, keyboards, synthesizer, guitar synthesizer, percussion); Waddy Wachtel (chant); Mike Campbell (guitar, synthesizer, percussion); Charlie Sexton (guitar); Jerry Hey (horns, alto horn); David Paich, Benmont Tench (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Albhy Galuten (synthesizer, Synclavier); Bill Cuomo (synthesizer, percussion, programming, percussion programming); Michael Boddicker, Steve Porcaro (synthesizer, programming); Randy Newman (synthesizer); Jim Keltner, Kevin McCormick , Ian Wallace (drums).
Audio Mixers: Greg Ladanyi; Niko Bolas.
Recording information: Bill Schnee Studio, Universal City, CA; Ocean Way Recording Studios; Record One, Sherman Oaks, CA; The Villa, North Hollywood, CA.
Ensembles: Marie Pascale Elfman; Dominique Mancinelli.
Photographer: Herb Ritts.
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.

Professional Reviews

Rolling 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..."