Similar Albums:
- Artist: Joe Walsh
- Rating:
- Release Date: 1991 01
- Total Time: 47:44
- Genre: Rock
Review
This collection of nostalgia, decent balladry, and quirky anthems probably reinforced any notions of Joe Walsh's creative decline. The singer/guitarist had (up to the time of this 1991 release) strung together an incredible career as a soloist and member of several first-rate rock acts, but time seemed to finally be catching up to him. That's not to say Ordinary Average Guy is a bad record. It's a fine record, but hardly up to Walsh's own menacing standard with regard to the musician's legendary guitar groove and wit. Generally, fans might think of Walsh in contrast to his crooning Eagles cohorts as harder rocking, edgier, but on this release, the hard-partying guitarist seems more comfortable showing a softer side. Ballads like "I'm Acting Different" and "Where I Grew Up" feel more earnest and truthful when compared to campy clunkers like "Alphabetical Order" and limp commentaries like "Look at Us Now." Throughout the more upbeat material, oddly placed synth washes and sparse drum patterns make for a bumpy, uninteresting sonic ride. Released just a couple years before Walsh put an end to his "30 year party," this reflective, sometimes half-hearted effort bellies a weariness that's both sad and difficult to appreciate as this master goes through the motions. ~ Vincent Jeffries, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Two Sides to Every Story | Joe Walsh, |
Joe Walsh | (3:24) |
| Ordinary Average Guy | Joe Walsh | Joe Walsh | (4:12) |
| The Gamma Goochee | Joe Walsh | (4:29) | |
| All of a Sudden | Joe Walsh | Joe Walsh, Jimi Jamison | (4:56) |
| Alphabetical Order | Joe Walsh, |
Joe Walsh | (4:58) |
| Look at Us Now | Joe Walsh | Joe Walsh, Jimi Jamison | (4:55) |
| I'm Actin' Different | Joe Walsh | Joe Walsh | (4:31) |
| Up All Night | Joe Walsh, |
Joe Walsh | (3:54) |
| You Might Need Somebody | Joe Walsh | (4:30) | |
| Where I Grew up (Prelude to School Days) | Joe Walsh | Joe Walsh | (2:37) |
| School Days | Joe Walsh | (5:18) |
