Music Banter - Jackson Browne

I haven't done this a lot of times before, but I got some tips from Paul about my last review and it really helped. So, this is my second review and this one is for my favorite album, Jackson Browne's "Running on Empty".

Off of the whole album, it's completely impossible to pick a favorite. For me, it drew me in on the first track and kept me in a state of euphoria until the last one - during my first listen. Running On Empty is the first track on Side One brings a feeling of nostalgia when Jackson tells about his experiences on tour. His raw and honest voice push themselves to the edge and at the end of the song, practically jump over. The harmonizing in the background really contrast well with the rest of the song, as well as the almost bluesy tone.

The Road is the second track on Side One. This one slows things down a little bit as opposed to Running On Empty but didn't necessarily throw me off because the whine of the acoustics really bring back that sensation of nostalgia. Jackson's words, at this point, are still related to touring but on a more in depth level. This song, upon first listen, created a visual for me that felt like a sweaty acoustic performance with the sweet smell of liquor, cigarettes, guitar strings, and leather. However, the lyrics almost make me feel sympathetic towards him because of the tone that he has and the pure honesty he executed this song with. Great harmonizing in the chorus and also a very raw acoustic performance.

Rosie is the third track on Side One. This one I questioned multiple times while listening for the first time to be a song about drugs but I don't think so. Jackson tells a story about a sweet girl who obviously he has feelings for. While I know that his lyrics might not have been written biographically for this album, I'm just trying to make a point. ;) This song is one of the easiest to the ears on the album. The harmonizing is simple, flowing, and easy from beginning to end of the entire song and the chords are extremely peaceful. The chorus to this one in particular in my favorite lyric on the entire album. For my first listen, this song stood out more than the others. It's who you look like, not who you are....

You Love the Thunder is the fourth track on Side One. This song is very simple but has a great melody in the chorus and is also really catchy in the verses. Jackson sounds more upbeat in this one and sounds like, to me, he was having a good time performing it so that instantly made me feel good about this song. Not bad, overall.

Cocaine is the final track on Side One. A great finish to the first side of the album. It's calm, raw and reminds me of a lot of Van Morrison's work on the Into The Mystic album as well as some of Bob Dylan's old work. Comparisons aside, however, this song feels exactly like what the lyrics sing about. It feels so personal and intimate with Jackson that upon listening for the first time, this song stood out to me purely for the emotion in Jackson's words and the simplicity that has more than likely been overlooked. This is another one of the noteable songs on this album just for it's brutally authentic tone.

Shaky Town is the first track on Side Two. This song feels alot like Running On Empty to me, not in a bad way. It's open and direct lyrics are sincere and the tone is fun and has a similar style during the verses as a mix between You Love The Thunder and Running On Empty. A great first track for side two and an easy harmonizing in the chorus.

Love Needs a Heart is the second track on Side Two. Harmonious vocals. Straight-forward lyrics and complementary instruments. While this song didn't stand out to me much, I still love it mostly for the lyrics and the message.

Nothing But Time is the third track on Side Two. A very catchy song with decent lyrics and also nice work from Rosemary Butler who shared some vocals with Browne on this one. Probably the most upbeat on the entire album.

The Load Out is the fourth track on Side Two. Jackson's speaking at the beginning of this track instantly made it feel so much more earnest for me. The lyrics really are beautiful and possibly some of the best on the album. It feels entirely like the end of the performance (right before Stay) with an authentic and beautifully toxic mixture of great vocals and genius instruments.

Stay is the final track on Side Two. The perfect song for closing off an album and a performance. It feels almost like a second part of The Load Out but slightly more upbeat and less emotional. Feels welcoming and has decent harmonizing in the vocals. The vocalists, David Lindley and Rosemary Butler, sung a little on this track and Butler's work blended really well the Jackson's voice and also the tone of the song.

The candid conversations that happened between the tracks feel so personal and Jackson was, not that it's unusual, sincere in this performance album and that's really what makes it my favorite album. Sorry for my repetitive wording and lack of vocab. ;)

All in all, my favorites (even though I said favorites were impossible, it feels conventional.) in order:

Rosie
Cocaine
Running On Empty
Shaky Town
You Love The Thunder
The Road
The Load Out
Nothing But Time
Stay
Love Needs a Heart

Noted: All of has just been MY OPINION. I'm aware that it's mine and no one else's. I didn't claim to be good at this. Just my feelings for the songs and the album overall. ;) Chill. Adios.