Hold Out

The brief, one line review below really does sum it up in a nutshell--this is a profoundly beautiful masterpiece by Jackson Browne, & as it appears, startlingly underrated AND sadly misunderstood as well (even though it was his lone album to ever top the US Billboard album chart). I'm absolutely stumped as to what makes this album a disappointment in any fan's mind--Browne hadn't lost a drop of his eloquent genius (musical or lyrical), & on this album, "Hold Out", originally released in June of 1980, his brilliance is on full display. Browne never rushes through anything here, giving the songs time to really sink in for maximum impact. It starts off with the grooving "Disco Apocalypse", which features a simple, yet menacing keyboard intro before Browne's punchy vocal delivery grabs you--it creates a feeling of people desparately wanting to break out of the cobwebs of their unsatisfying lives, & it's an ideal album opener. As hard-hitting as the track is, & despite the fact that its chorus is in the first person, it feels like an example of Browne as a seer, whereas most of the rest of the album is intensely personal AS WELL AS emotionally intense. The album's undercurrent "hold out" theme really hits hard, with all-around gorgeous songs like the expansive title track & "Call It A Loan" (with its wonderful guitar phrase--guitarist David Lindley co-wrote the track). You can't praise Browne's craft enough--the lyrics are poetic & deeply affecting, & he finds focused, irresistible & memorable melodies (often quite similar to each other, yet never interchangeable with each other) that are the perfect fit & enhance the words, then wraps his wonderful, compulsively listenable vocals (which are way up in the mix) around it all. Speaking of Jackson's vocals... Listening closely on a couple of the songs, you can tell the tape was cut as if two different takes/ vocal takes were spliced together--it's VERY subtle, but a sharp listener catch this--and additionally, even though there's nothing wrong at all with his vocals of the original album version of "Call It A Loan", on the version of this song that was included on the compilation "The Next Voice You Hear", Browne went so far as to do an incredibly meticulous splicing of newly-resung parts with the original album's vocals--it has to be heard to be believed. My point with all of this is that CLEARLY Jackson Browne obsesses hugely over his vocals--it wouldn't surprise me if he frequently does numerous takes of individual lines to get each one exactly to his satisfaction, but that doesn't take away from the fact that his vocals are terrific & full of feeling. It's remarkable how much I've read how Browne's voice was just OK/ serviceable, but nothing great. I couldn't agree less--his voice is the perfect instrument for the material. Heck, the guy even puts to use a solid falsetto (most prominently on "Disco Apocalypse"). Browne makes each song on this album dramatic & powerful (and often very sad--he sounds like he's barely holding back tears on a couple songs), but, in typical fashion, he's supremely tasteful & never resorts to bombast. Give credit to Browne & Greg Ladanyi who produced the album, as well as the players for the terrific musical performances on the album (including keyboards from Bill Payne & drumming from Russ Kunkel). The ballad "Of Missing Persons", a eulogy directed to Lowell George's daughter (Jackson's goddaughter), is so mesmerizing, bittersweet, & deeply moving it's almost unbelievable--to put it a certain way, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard it myself. The uptempo, reflective "pop"-rocker "That Girl Could Sing" (one of his "enigmatic girl" songs, apparently written about Valerie Carter) & the riffy, irresistably rocking street life-themed "Boulevard" are just as great as all the aforementioned tracks. Then there's the album closing "Hold On Hold Out", which is absolutely an ingeniously crafted, uplifting, uptempo track encouraging us that we must never give in & settle for anything less than the ideal lover, because if we don't, it will harm us even more deeply than being alone (in other words, it's an ode to "hold outs" everywhere)--you really have to examine the lyrics on this one--again, it's almost unbelievable how brilliant & fully-realized they are. The track has a great piano theme (played by Craig Doerge who co-wrote the track), excellent use of dynamics, works its way through each section masterfully, & features Browne reeling off one brilliant, bracingly powerful line after another. I can easily understand how you might cringe at the end when, after gripping tension, Browne in spoken word finally comes out & says "I love you" to someone, followed by a big a drum crash & a big finish with wailing vocals. Without getting too passionate over it, I'll just say this--I think it works--he really managed to bring this incredibly epic track to a rousing, emphatic conclusion. In the end, I honestly think this is a flawless album--it rocks, it moves you (in more ways than one), it puts you in an introspective mood... Browne never loses me at any point over the course of these songs. It's almost beyond all belief how well he puts his feelings/ perceptions into words on this album. It's a record that after many listens, continues to yield its rich rewards, feels so complete (always a sign of a truly great album), and is pure therapy. This album really clicks in a big way, & I can't help but feel certain listeners have certain preconceptions about this album & simply aren't giving it a fair chance--it's hard to comprehend anyone with even half a heart denying this album. It's an absolute must have, not just for any fan, but for any serious listener--this album represents a stunningly intelligent "singer-songwriter" at his very best. Jackson Browne is simply one of the best artists in history, & "Hold Out" is one of the best albums ever made.

Great CD no scratches great seller

Received in excellent and new condition. Despite having to pay for shipping, which was minimal, it was well worth it considering that this is a hard to find CD. It also arrived on time, as promised!

Seldom talked about in JB's finest release discussion but my current favorite to listen to! David Lindley is a musical national treasure! That incendiary lapsteel work on "That Girl Could Sing" is just mind boggling & great stuff! Having seen Jackson in a solo acoustic show recently he performed "Call It A Loan" and reminded me what a lyrical genius this man truly is. Lowell George tribute "Of Missing Persons" is such a fitting poignant moment on the record - making me miss the glory days of Little Feat even more than I already do. Marked down one star only for the embarrassing closing "heart tugging" moments of "Hold On Hold Out".

One of my favorite Jackson Browne albums.

HOLD OUT is the underappreciated album from the brilliance of Jackson Browne. This recording brings back so many fond memories when first released in 1980. I would pull the top down on the convertible and crank up the 8-track of this album and lay on the hood in the country and search deep within me about what life has to offer once I graduate high school. I did some growing through this music and on this CD it makes the hair stand on the back of my neck and makes me proud to be a Jackson Browne fan. Over thirty years later, I approach this music with a smile. No one but myself will know the impact this great recording had on my life. I just recently bought this CD (upon finding it by accident on Amazon) and purchased knowing its past on me. And it is awesome to relive this recording like its fresh and new (unlike me) when released. It sounds amazingly clear and detailed in this remastering. I am glad the record label kept the same seven songs without adding to it (extra recordings) because I feel an unfamiliar song on this album would take me away from the memories. Its hard to explain how this affects me. People who have been influenced by someone's music when they were younger will know what I am talking about. The rest will probably think this middle aged man is off his rocker. If I am off my rocker, it feels great and warm when I listen to HOLD OUT all the way through (I just put it on repeat and listen over and over like yesteryear) and I can't stop smiling. I am loving life! Thank you Jackson for the memories.

Ich bin echt happy, Jackson Browne spät, aber nicht zu spät, für mich entdeckt zu haben. "Hold out" ist eine echte Perle, das Album hat nur wenige Titel, aber jeder einzelne macht Spaß, bewegt, berührt.. und man kann es immer hören. Ich liebe es.

NON POTEVA MANCARE NELLA MIA COLLEZIONE SONO TORNATO DI NUOVO AL VINILE PENSO UN PO' TUTTI.....E' DA COMPRARE, DA REGALARE.....

誠実な歌詞、歌声、ジャクソン最高！ ノーニュークスコンサートも再発売してほしい

J'adore. C'est un de mes chanteurs préférés.

Excelentes temas, cantados con mucho gusto y sentimiento, marca de la casa. Una producción adecuada y una toma de sonido y masterización excelentes. Si además lo escuchas con un buen equipo de música, lo disfrutarás doblemente