After experimenting with synthesizers and a pop sound on his solo debut, Don Henley hits the mark on his sophomore release, Building the Perfect Beast. This album established Henley as an artist in his own right after many successful years with the Eagles, as it spawned numerous hits. While the songs seem crafted for pop radio, it's hard to fault him for choosing arrangements that would get his messages to the masses. Unlike most pop in the 1980s, however, Henley had deep intellectual themes layered beneath the synthesizer sounds and crisp production. In the opening song "Boys of Summer," he talks about trying to recapture the past while knowing that things will never be the same. Henley has a gift for writing about the heart and soul of America and for mixing his love for the country and small-town life ("Sunset Grill") with cynicism about government ("All She Wants to Do Is Dance") and modernization ("Month of Sundays"). Although the politics and the sound of the album make the decade of release easy to place, Henley's earnest delivery and universal messages give many of the tracks a timeless feel, which is no small feat. This is Henley's most consistent album, and it is the place to start for those wanting to sample his solo work. ~ Vik Iyengar, All Music Guide
Lindsey Buckingham (Guitar), Lindsey Buckingham (Vocals), Lindsey Buckingham (Harmony Vocals), Belinda Carlisle (Vocals), Belinda Carlisle (Harmony Vocals), Don Henley (Percussion), Don Henley (Drums), Don Henley (Keyboards), Don Henley (Vocals), Don Henley (Producer), Don Henley (Chant), Don Henley (Harmony Vocals), Don Henley (Main Performer), Don Henley (?), Don Henley (Art Direction), Don Henley (Synthesizer Arrangements), Randy Newman (Synthesizer), Randy Newman (Synthesizer Arrangements), Charlie Sexton (Guitar), Mike Campbell (Synthesizer), Mike Campbell (Guitar), Mike Campbell (Percussion), Mike Campbell (Producer), Martha Davis (Vocals), Martha Davis (Chant), Martha Davis (Harmony Vocals), Jim Keltner (Drums), Carla Olson (Vocals), Carla Olson (Chant), Patty Smyth (Vocals), Patty Smyth (Chant), Patty Smyth (Harmony Vocals), Patty Smyth (?), Albhy Galuten (Synthesizer), Albhy Galuten (Synclavier), Benmont Tench (Synthesizer), Benmont Tench (Piano), Benmont Tench (Keyboards), Benmont Tench (Synthesizer Arrangements), Michael Boddicker (Synthesizer), Michael Boddicker (Programming), Michael Boddicker (Emulator), Michael Boddicker (Sequencing), Michael Boddicker (Synthesizer Arrangements), Niko Bolas (Engineer), Niko Bolas (Mixing), Bill Cuomo (Synthesizer), Bill Cuomo (Percussion), Bill Cuomo (Programming), Bill Cuomo (Percussion Programming), Tim Drummond (Bass), Marie Pascale Elfman (Vocals), Marie Pascale Elfman (Ensemble), Marie Pascale Elfman (?), Mark Ettel (Assistant Engineer), Dan Garcia (Assistant Engineer), Jerry Hey (Horn), Jerry Hey (Horn (Alto)), Jerry Hey (Horn Arrangements), Maren Jensen (Art Direction), Larry Klein (Bass), Tom Knox (Engineer), Danny Kortchmar (Organ), Danny Kortchmar (Synthesizer), Danny Kortchmar (Bass), Danny Kortchmar (Guitar), Danny Kortchmar (Percussion), Danny Kortchmar (Keyboards), Danny Kortchmar (Guitar (Synthesizer)), Danny Kortchmar (Producer), Danny Kortchmar (Chant), Danny Kortchmar (?), Danny Kortchmar (Omnichord), Danny Kortchmar (Synthesizer Arrangements), Danny Kortchmar (Percussion Arrangement), Greg Ladanyi (Producer), Greg Ladanyi (Engineer), Greg Ladanyi (Mixing), Dominique Mancinelli (Vocals), Dominique Mancinelli (Ensemble), Dominique Mancinelli (?), Kevin McCormick (Drums), Kevin McCormick (Drums (African)), Kevin McCormick (African Drums), Samuel Moore (Vocals), Michael O'Donahue (Vocals), Michael O'Donahue (Chant), David Paich (Synthesizer), David Paich (Piano), David Paich (Keyboards), David Paich (Synthesizer Arrangements), Pino Palladino (Bass), Steve Porcaro (Synthesizer), Steve Porcaro (Programming), Mike Reese (Mastering), Doug Sax (Mastering), David Schober (Assistant Engineer), Duane Seykora (Assistant Engineer), Allen Sides (Engineer), J.D. Souther (Vocals), J.D. Souther (Chant), Richard Wachtel (Vocals), Ian Wallace (Drums), Waddy Wachtel (Chant), Richard Bosworth (Engineer), Richard Bosworth (Assistant Engineer), Sam Moore (Harmony Vocals), Jeri McManus (Art Direction), Jeri McManus (Graphic Coordinator), Herb Ritts (Photography)
"Drivin' With Your Eyes Closed" (Henley, Kortchmar, Stan Lynch) – 3:41
"Land of the Living" (Henley, Kortchmar) – 3:24
Note: "A Month of Sundays" appeared on the cassette and compact disc versions of the album but was not included on the LP format. On vinyl it was released as the B-side of the single "The Boys of Summer".
