Jimmy Buffet - Songs You Know By Heart

Songs You Know By Heart

By  Jimmy Buffet

Very Good Condition

Combining aloof humor with a laid-back, devil-may-care island attitude, Jimmy Buffett sang songs about alcohol consumption, lazing around in the sun, and the freedom of not having to work for a living. Songs You Know By Heart is a solid offering of Buffett's greatest hits, pulling together his truly strongest material and avoiding the unnecessary filler that appears on his albums. His claim to fame, "Margaritaville," is the jewel in the crown here, which still harbors that tropical feel thanks to its Caribbean-styled rhythm and relaxed flow. "Come Monday" picks up where "Margaritaville" leaves off, only this ballad plays out with subdued sincerity and has Buffett sounding strangely serious, and romantic. Most of the songs from Buffett are centered around his frolicking lifestyle, like the comical "Cheeseburger in Paradise" or the naughtiness of "Why Don't We Get Drunk," an ode to his party-filled outlook on life. Buffett's voice shines on the clever "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes," which again spotlights his love of living without concern, especially in someplace warm. The catchy and whimsical "Fins" is lifted by a contagious pace with a smart chorus and serves as one of the highlights of this collection. As a compilation, this bunch of Jimmy Buffett's most famous tunes contains just the right amount of tracks. Any less would be inconsistent and any more would be deemed as overkill.

A Review:

Critics have always been singularly unkind to Jimmy Buffett. Or at least they have since the singer became immune to their jabs, commanding a nation of Parrotheads who sell out his shows, snap up his records and books, and eat and drink in his nightclubs in Key West and New Orleans. By now, you've made up your mind as well: To paraphrase Buffett himself from his song "Volcano," you either lava him now, or you lava him not. Songs You Know by Heart is a friendly little best-of collection that features concert perennials such as "Margaritaville," "Fins," "Cheeseburger in Paradise," and the immutable "Why Don't We Get Drunk." If by some chance you've not yet been introduced to Buffett's music, this album is the best way to say hello. --Daniel Durchholz

Tracklist