  warren zevon: making sense of the catalog Checking out amazon.com this morning, I couldn't help noticing (quite happily, I might add) that not only is Warren Zevon's last, almost-posthumous album "The Wind" the number-one seller on their site, but most of the rest of his releases are scattered liberally throughout the chart (including two more titles in the top ten alone). This is a bittersweet victory for Warren's legacy. While it's great to see the attention his music has been getting since he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, it's a shame he's not here to see it happen. Since I'm willing to bet a good deal of these Amazon customers are plowing through Warren's catalog without a strong sense of what they're looking for, I'm only too happy to provide an unoffical guide to these amazing albums. Warren Zevon made lots of great music. Here's a breakdown (note: these are my opinions. If you disagree, my apologies): "Wanted Dead or Alive" (1969) -- I'm no expert on this album since, well, I've never heard it.
But by most accounts, it's an amateurish effort for completists only. Warren released this album in 1969 and after it bombed, he wrote jingles, traveled around Europe, and toured with the Everly Brothers until meeting Jackson Browne, who produced his follow-up, the cleverly titled... "Warren Zevon" (1976) -- This is where it gets good.
A beautifully produced album and a launching pad for a brilliant career. Some of Warren's best songs can be found here: "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," "Mohammed's Radio," "The French Inhaler," "Carmelita" and the gorgeous "Desperados Under the Eaves," which urlLink Palmermix called "perhaps the best song I know of about living in Los Angeles. " "Excitable Boy" (1978) -- A brilliant follow-up and one of my personal favorites. In my opinion, there isn't a single weak track on the album (not even "Night Time in the Switching Yard" -- its dated disco-funk sound is a fun listen). Warren's "hits" can be found here ("Werewolves of London," "Excitable Boy," "Lawyers, Guns and Money") along with some classic ballads ("Accidentally Like a Martyr") and mid-tempo stompers ("Johnny Strikes Up the Band"). Essential stuff. "Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School" (1980) -- Despite the ambitious experimentalism (the string quartet interludes), Warren was slipping a bit here. There are definitely some strong numbers here (like the riff-heavy title track, "Play it all Night Long," the jubilant cover of "A Certain Girl" and the dense, violent "Jungle Work"), but there's also a lot of filler.
If you become a huge fan after getting some more vital releases, check this one out. But it's not a good first choice. "Stand in the Fire" (1981) -- This album has never been released on CD, but I hear rumors that Rhino is planning to put it out next year. If so, do yourself a favor and grab it. This incendiary live album features Warren tearing up the Roxy with a band of young, hungry unknowns. The live version of "Mohammed's Radio" is far superior to the tamer original, and Warren's penchant for changing lyrics around is used to hilarious effect throughout the album. Absolutely insane live work and one of the finest live albums I've ever heard. "The Envoy" (1982) -- Another one that's not out on CD -- yet. A bit uneven, like "Bad Luck Streak...", and the presence of cheesy keyboards is a bit of a distraction.
There are some nice, sweet tunes here ("The Hula Hula Boys," "Looking For the Next Best Thing"), in addition to some heavy rockers ("The Overdraft," the hilarious "Ain't That Pretty at All"), but overall, this one can wait until you have most of the others. "A Quiet Normal Life: the Best of WZ" (1986) -- Avoid this one. Seriously. First of all, it was released in the mid-eighties when CD mastering was still sketchy, and song selection -- in my opinion -- leaves a lot to be desired. There are two other far superior compilations out there, and we'll get to them in a minute. "Sentimental Hygiene" (1987) -- Zevon returns from a self-imposed exile (where he quit drinking and got his shit together) with this strong album.
One of his best and definitely his best of the eighties. Bill Berry, Peter Buck and Mike Mills (three-quarters of REM) are his backing band for most of the tracks, and they sound terrific. Lots of great, great songs ("Detox Mansion," "Boom Boom Mancini," "Even a Dog Can Shake Hands," "The Factory") and tons of guests (Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Michael Stipe, Flea). The only less-than excellent parts are a couple of ballads that don't really do anything for me and an ill-advised collaboration with the otherwise great George Clinton (on the horribly dated "Leave My Monkey Alone"). Overall, an outstanding album. "Transverse City" (1989) -- This "cyberpunk" concept album suffers from too many overbearing keyboards, but the more organic tracks ("Splendid Isolation," "Turbulence," "Gridlock") are excellent. A mixed bag. "Hindu Love Gods" (1990) -- Unreleased jamming from the "Sentimental Hygiene" sessions (featuring Zevon, Buck, Mills and Berry). A rough, crazy mess and lots of fun to listen to. Mostly blues covers, but does contain a great garage band version of Prince's "Raspberry Beret.
" "Mr. Bad Example" (1991) -- Warren is still suffering from keyboard overdose at this point, but the songs are the saving grace here, from the brutal "Finishing Touches" to the tender "Suzie Lightning" and the hilarious "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead. " The title track is a scream. "Learning to Flinch" (1993) -- An excellent acoustic "unplugged" live album (featuring Warren on piano and acoustic guitar). Lots of great classic songs are given new life, and some of them actually sound better (the solo piano version of "The French Inhaler" blows away the original). The crowds are fun and appreciative, egging Warren on to some inspired performances (especially on the manic, almost psychotic version of "Poor Poor Pitiful Me"). "Mutineer" (1995) -- A commercial bomb, this album features Warren on most of the instruments, recorded at his home studio (with occasional help from guests like David Lindley and Bruce Hornsby).
The songs have a "demo" quality to them, and are mostly very good (like "Rottweiler Blues," "The Indifference of Heaven" and the moving title track). But there's also a bit of filler. Above average. "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" (1996) -- If you're going to get an anthology and you're not on a budget, get this one. Two discs packed with the essential stuff, plus lots of TV and film soundtrack stuff not available anywhere else, and a booklet stuffed with photos and song-by-song commentary from the man himself.
If you're going to get only one thing by Warren (but don't! ), get this. "Life'll Kill Ya" (2000) -- Warren returns after five years with this strong album. A sparsely arranged masterpiece. Most of the songs are amazing ("I Was In the House When the House Burned Down," "For My Next Trick I'll Need a Volunteer," "Don't Let Us Get Sick") with minimal filler. Get this. Now. "My Ride's Here" (2002) -- Another mixed bag. Some good rockers ("Sacrifical Lambs," the hilarious "Hit Somebody") but some so-so tracks as well.
"Genius" (2002) -- If you don't want to go all out for the two-disc anthology, this is an excellent single-disc retrospective. Twenty-two tracks, and maybe two of them I'm not crazy about. Great stuff. "The Wind" (2003) -- Warren's health is a bit fragile at this point, but he comes through. The album is a bit ballad-heavy, but the songs are great. The fiery "Disorder in the House," the piano-driven "Numb as a Statue" and the touching closer "Keep Me In Your Heart" are all terrific. Get this not just for the great songs and performances, but as a fitting swan song for a man whose career was filled with wonderful moments. 
