Warren Zevon – Excitable Boy

Album Info

Artist: Warren Zevon

Title: Excitable Boy

Year: 1978

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Tracklist

  • 1. Johnny Strikes up the Band (2:51)
  • 2. Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner (3:49)
  • 3. Excitable Boy (2:41)
  • 4. Werewolves of London (3:29)
  • 5. Accidentally Like a Martyr (3:42)
  • 6. Nighttime in the Switching Yard (4:19)
  • 7. Veracruz (3:31)
  • 8. Tenderness on the Block (3:58)
  • 9. Lawyers, Guns and Money (3:30)
  • 10. I Need a Truck - Outtake (0:48)
  • 11. Werewolves of London - Alternate Version (3:38)
  • 12. Tule's Blues - Solo Piano Version (3:09)
  • 13. Frozen Notes - Strings Version (1:59)

Review

Warren Zevon's 'Excitable Boy' is a testament to the power of music to transform the darkest corners of human experience into something strangely beautiful and oddly comforting. Released in 1978, this album feels like a journey through the mind of a brilliant, if slightly unhinged, storyteller. Zevon's lyrics paint vivid pictures of mercenaries, werewolves, and misadventures in Latin America, all set to a diverse musical backdrop that ranges from rock to funk.

The album's title track and 'Werewolves of London' shine with Zevon's trademark dark humor, the latter becoming an unexpected hit that still resonates today. There's a rawness to these songs that cuts right to the bone, making you laugh one moment and shiver the next. But it's not all macabre tales and sardonic wit. 'Accidentally Like a Martyr' and 'Tenderness on the Block' reveal Zevon's softer side, showing his ability to craft touching, introspective ballads that speak to the heart.

What strikes me most about 'Excitable Boy' is how it manages to be both deeply personal and wildly imaginative. Songs like 'Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner' and 'Lawyers, Guns and Money' feel like short stories set to music, each one a world unto itself. The contributions from guest musicians like Mick Fleetwood and John McVie add depth and texture to Zevon's already rich musical palette. This album is a journey through the light and dark of human nature, delivered with a wink and a nod by a master storyteller. - Esme

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