There Goes the Neighborhood
Joe Walsh · 1981
35 min · 8 tracks · country music
A blend of rock and country with a playful yet introspective vibe, featuring sharp guitar work and witty lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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A Life of Illusion — This track encapsulates Walsh's signature sound with its catchy melody and reflective lyrics about self-deception and reality. Its philosophical undertones resonate throughout the album's themes.
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Things Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a playful tone that highlights Walsh's clever lyricism and engaging instrumentation, making it a quintessential representation of his style.
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Rivers (Of the Hidden Funk) — This song showcases Walsh's ability to meld rock with funk influences, featuring intricate guitar riffs and a groovy bass line that exemplifies his versatility as an artist.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends rock and country with sharp guitar work and witty lyrics, but lacks strong cohesion across all tracks.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a lively tempo, while the fourth track introduces a funkier groove that contrasts with the earlier songs.
- The lyrics often employ humor and wit, particularly in 'Down on the Farm', which uses playful imagery to convey its message.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- playful lyrics with vibrant energy
- consistent journey through varied tempos
- afternoon drive sing-alongs
- steady pacing for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry that showcases Walsh's style but isn't widely recognized as a standout.
- Career context
- Released on March 10, 1981, 'There Goes the Neighborhood' was Joe Walsh's fifth solo album and came after his successful release 'But Seriously, Folks...' in 1978. At this point, Walsh had established himself as a prominent figure in rock music, both as a solo artist and a member of the Eagles.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lynyrd Skynyrd· The Eagles· Bob Seger
Tracklist
- 1 Things Start here 5:42
- 2 Made Your Mind Up 4:25
- 3 Down on the Farm 3:13
- 4 Rivers (Of the Hidden Funk) 5:08
- 5 A Life of Illusion 3:33
- 6 Bones 4:35
- 7 Rockets 3:55
- 8 You Never Know 5:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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