"But Seriously, Folks..." 1978 Album

Joe Walsh

This is not Joe Walsh's stand-up comedy album, but it is a bit different than the three Barnstorm records that were recorded in the earlier part of the decade. Gone is the askew imagery of bi-planes, aviator goggles, and lonely homesteads, and in its' place is a party-time Walsh somewhere near the Keys trying to fix a hole in his damn boat underwater after three or four drinks. Strangely enough, the change in scenery gives the man a boost of needed inspiration. The first half of the album deals with past memories and gradually builds from easy, innocuous rhythms, into the innocent wonder of "Indian Summer", to the all-out attack and aggression of "At The Station". However, where the album really stands out is on a mesmerizing second half that cruises to self-effacing victory on the strength of "Life's Been Good", a shiny pop-rock anthem tailor-made for the late 70's, and "Theme From Boat Weirdos", which is great mystery theater. As a whole the album plays out like that last great vacation you thought you would never get to take, flocks of wah-wahs included.