Disco de Jimmy Buffett: “Buffet Hotel”

First, let me apologize to die-hard Parrotheads like myself for not giving the deity that is Jimmy Buffett a 5-star rating. If any other pop star had issued this CD, it would have gotten a higher rating, but from the great Jimmy Buffett I expect better.

If this is a buffet, by the mighty Jimmy Buffett, it's a Vegas special with only four reasonably tasty songs and a bunch of cold bland dishes. I'm a long-time Buffett fan whose first purchase of music was a "Margaritaville" 45 with "Miss You So Badly" as the B-side. However, I'm no cranky purist; I love new hits like "Five O'Clock Somewhere." This new outing by Buffett is, to be charitable, 3 or 4 good songs and a bunch of throw-away demos.

The first song had me very optimistic. "Nobody From Nowhere" is highly produced, with great electric guitars, a catchy hook and strong vocal backups by his full band. If any of these songs from this album make it into his tour set-list, this is the one. I doubt it lasts for more than a year, but who knows?

"A Lot to Drink About" is one of those "timely" Buffett songs that sounds dated the second you hear it. Imagine how it will feel in a year. The third song "Big Top" tries to recapture some of his old glory, but falls short. "We learned to be cool from you" is slower, and sounds like he actually spent more than a day in the studio on it, but it is ultimately forgettable. "Life Short Call Now," another slow ballad, is the second song on the album that is worth listening to more than once. I really liked this song; he paints a picture as he does in his best songs, of real characters and settings. This is one of the few songs that sounds like he's spent some time out of the multi-millionaire life he now leads. Well done.

"Wings" is another good song, in his upbeat happy-go-lucky mode. "Beautiful Swimmers" is a slow, lovely ode to Marilyn Monroe. Yes, Marilyn Monroe- I guess Jimmy's out of real hard-luck drinking stories. "Surfing in a Hurricane" has cool "surf guitar" sounds, but the chorus is repetitive and grating. "Rhumba Man" also fails to deliver.

"Summerzcool" is the "lead" single from the album that was issued before the rest of the album. The only way this song is enjoyable is if you are as drunk as we all get at the Jimmy Buffett concerts. It just does not hold up in a sober listening. "Buffet Hotel," the title track, is his "foreign mystique" track that occurs on every Buffett album. This is no "Desperation Samba," that is for sure. Forgettable pop.

Finally, "Turn Up the Heat" has Jimmy Buffett rapping. Yes, you read that correctly, he raps. Cringeworthy. I love that Jimmy takes risks occasionally with a gimmicky song technique, but I suspect he won't try this again.

Overall, this album will still be a necessary purchase for die-hard Parrotheads, but don't expect anything up to the level of his early albums. This is not even as good as one of his better new albums like "Take the Weather With You." It's pretty similar in quality to "Far Side of the World." I could find no song on this album that merits a space in the top 50 Buffett songs.

Update after about 10 listenings: This album is starting to grow on me (thanks to iTunes and its ability to delete tracks such as the rap song) and I have raised my rating to 4 stars.

I'm a long-time Parrothead, so there's no hesitation or decision making to purchase when Buffett serves up another studio album. I just had my first run-through of the album, and I must agree with the other reviews. It's got a great mix of lyrics and sounds. I immediately enjoyed 'Nobody From Nowhere', 'Rhumba Man' and 'Summerzcool'.

I really dig the overall sounds of each track. This is certainly a continued break from the 'beach/flip-flop/boat drink' feel, but, like 'Take the Weather With You' it still feels like Buffett. I'm looking forward to digesting each track. Unless you have not liked what he's done is the past few years, Buffett fans should find plenty to enjoy.

It's been awhile since I've been a regular guest at the Buffett Hotel. His concerts were always fun but for awhile, it seemed like he was more of a business than the wise cracking troubadour I grew up with. I certainly do not begrudge the man his money. On the contrary, I kind of admire the fact that he made himself into what he is today instead of being molded into someone else's image. His version of a life well lived is something to aspire to. I love the older feel to this album and I may have actually applauded the sounds of a pedal steel guitar. "Wings", "Beautiful Swimmers", "Turn Up The Heat And Chill The Rose" and "Surfing In A Hurricane" remind me of a time when life seemed more fun. More importantly, they make me realize that maybe it's my fault that life isn't more fun now. Thanks for the reminder, Bubba!

I've been a longtime Buffett fan, and must admit that I'm still waiting for him to release something more substantial (musically) and natural (not fake or forced sounding), like his good old days. Hey, I'm not even necessarily talking 70's era. Even something along the lines of 80's (One Particular Harbour) or even 90's (Barometer Soup) would be welcomed.

The problem is, all of his albums from Beach House on the Moon onward seem to be as though he's just going through the motions. Give some tropical themes, some attempts at humor, some slow songs, song medium songs, some ballads, and walla! you have a Buffett album. And yes, many will buy it. And yes, many will instantly love each new album (unfortunately often before they've even heard it).

Just seems like Buffett fans should be more open and honest, even with themselves. The instant adoration and blessing of all new Buffett is cheesy and fake, about on the same level as the actual cheesy and fake music. Let's face it, Jimmy lost his true Parrothead spirit in the mid/late 90's when he became very wealthy and started hanging out with other rich folks. What we're left since then is music made by a business man, not a pirate or a true beach bum.

Yeah, the album is okay. It's on the same level as the other albums over past 14 years or so. Yadi yadi yada...

Jimmy has taken a step back to his roots on this one and it shines. Nice work!