Glenn Frey

After the Eagles split up (for the first time), guitarist-singer Glenn Frey cut a predictably slick solo debut in his old band's party-boy mode; No Fun Aloud is like a Joe Walsh album with (slightly) better singing. Not songs, though; apparently that was Don Henley's department. The Allnighter glistens with synthesized oomph, but the sugar coating doesn't sit well on Frey's mannered white R&B loverman act. "Smuggler's Blues," the set piece for the follow up, was utilized in an episode of the television show Miami Vice (Frey had a small role), jump-starting The Allnighter on the charts. "Smuggler's Blues," the catchiest tune on the album by far, was a lot more interesting to watch -- like a dramatized video clip -- than it is to listen to, however. By Soul Searchin', Frey sounded like he wasn't even trying anymore; his pump-your-body TV gym commercials at the time displayed more sweat and effort. With Strange Weather, Frey seemed determined to make a statement. "Love in the 21st Century" was a catchy but disposable rocker in the vein of his Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack hit "The Heat Is On," but both "I've Got Mine" and "He Took Advantage (Blues for Ronald Reagan)" found him stumbling around in the same rich-rock-star-as-self-righteous-angry-liberal footsteps as Henley; suffice it to say, neither song came within spitting distance of the dignified grace of Henley's The End of the Innocence. Frey fares much better with the album-closing "Part of Me, Part of You" -- a feel-good, top-down anthem in the spirit of his easy-rolling Eagles hits "Take It Easy" and "Peaceful Easy Feeling." Of course, that song was first featured in the film Thelma & Louise, conclusive proof that as a solo artist, Frey's forte is hooky soundtrack fodder and lousy albums. As such, he's best represented by either of his two best-of collections, both of which offer "Part of Me," "The Heat Is On," "Smuggler's Blues," and his other Miami Vice hit, "You Belong to the City." The lackluster Live features most of the same hits, along with a handful of reheated Eagles tunes; fans who waited a year got the real deal when Frey rejoined the Eagles for Hell Freezes Over in 1994. (MARK COLEMAN/RICHARD SKANSE)

From 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide