Dan Fogelberg - "The Innocent Age" (1981)

One of many albums in the collection I've found in a used record store or thrift shop, which had an interesting aura, the reviews on the web seem generally positive, so I've bought it. Of course, the price of most of these records is usually 2-3 dollars, so it's always worth a try. In this case, the risk didn't pay off, it's not an album in my taste.

Dan Fogelberg, hearing the name you might think he's Swedish, and the fact is that his father had a Swedish background  (his mother Scottish). He was an American, died in 2007 only 56 years old, in cancer. The Innocent Age, a double album, was his seventh studio album, and one of his most successful, it generated a number of hits in the US. The music is usually defined as soft rock and I would like to add country rock. It often sounds Eagles, lots of harmonies in the singing, and same kind of sound and songs. Emmylou Harris guest sings on one song, on another Joni Mitchell is in the background, Al Perkins often shows up on steel guitar, as well as a lot of other musicians on different instruments. In addition, the album has a cohesive theme in the form of life's different stages, from birth to death. Could be interesting, but no. Had I not read on Allmusic that the record had a theme, I probably wouldn't have understood it. Doesn't seem so clear in the texts.

Often, you'll find at least one song on records like these you fall for, which makes the purchase feel justified. Unfortunately, I don't do that on The Innocent Age, and it's simply because soft rock / country rock is not my thing. It sounds too cheezy and boring in my ears. If you like Eagles, or other bands dedicated to such music, surely this is a good album. It has an airy and clear sound. The songs, in their context, are of high quality. A double album, so you get many minutes of music. But nothing for me.


Tracklist

Side A
1. "Nexus" - 6:04
2. "The Innocent Age" - 4:15
3. "The Sand and the Foam" - 4:19
4. "In the Passage" - 6:28

Side B
1. "Lost in the Sun" - 3:53
2. "Run for the Roses" - 4:18
3. "Leader of the Band" - 4:48
4. "Same Old Long Syne" - 5:21

Side C
1. "Stolen Moments" - 3:12
2. "The Lion's Share" - 5:10
3. "Only the Heart May Know" - 4:09
4. "The Reach" - 6:30

Side D
1. "Aireshire Lament" - 0:52
2. "Times Like These" - 3:02
3. "Hard to Say" - 4:00
4. "Empty Cages" - 6:24
5. "Ghosts" - 7:16