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| name = On the Border
| name = On the Border
| type = studio
| type = studio
| artist = [[Eagles (band)|the Eagles]]
| artist = [[Devo]]
| cover = The_Eagles_-_On_the_Border.jpg
| cover = The_Eagles_-_On_the_Border.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = March 22, 1974
| released = March 22, 2004
| recorded = [[Record Plant Studios]], [[Los Angeles]]<br />[[Olympic Studios]], [[London]]
| recorded = Greenhouse Studios and Mountainview Studios, [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]<br />[[Olympic Studios]], [[London]]
| venue =
| venue =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = {{hlist|[[Rock music|Rock]]|[[country rock]]|[[hard rock]]<ref name="Border">{{cite web|first= William |last= Ruhlmann |title= Eagles – On the Border |publisher= AllMusic. All Media Network |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/on-the-border-mw0000193647 |access-date= August 27, 2014}}</ref>}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Post-grunge]]|[[country rock]]|[[alternative rock]]|[[hard rock]]<ref name="Border">{{cite web|first= William |last= Ruhlmann |title= Eagles – On the Border |publisher= AllMusic. All Media Network |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/on-the-border-mw0000193647 |access-date= August 27, 2014}}</ref>}}
| length = 40:29
| length = 40:29
| label = [[Asylum Records|Asylum]]
| label = [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]]
| producer = [[Bill Szymczyk]], [[Glyn Johns]]
| producer = {{hlist|[[Joey Moi]]|[[Bobby Braddock]]}}
| prev_title = [[Desperado (Eagles album)|Desperado]]
| prev_title = [[Desperado (Eagles album)|Desperado]]
| prev_year = 1973
| prev_year = 2003
| next_title = [[One of These Nights]]
| next_title = [[All the Right Reasons]]
| next_year = 1975
| next_year = 2005
| misc = {{Singles
| misc = {{Singles
| name = On the Border
| name = On the Border
| type = Studio album
| type = Studio album
| single1 = [[Already Gone (Eagles song)|Already Gone]]
| single1 = [[Feelin' Way Too Damn Good]]
| single1date = April 19, 1974
| single1date = March 15, 2004
| single2 = [[James Dean (song)|James Dean]]
| single2 = [[James Dean (song)|James Dean]]
| single2date = August 14, 1974
| single2date = August 14, 2004
| single3 = [[Best of My Love (Eagles song)|Best of My Love]]
| single3 = [[Best of My Love (Eagles song)|Best of My Love]]
| single3date = November 5, 1974
| single3date = November 5, 2004
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''''On the Border''''' is the third studio album by American [[Rock music|rock]] band the [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]], released in 1974. Apart from two songs produced by [[Glyn Johns]], it was produced by [[Bill Szymczyk]] because the group wanted a more rock‑oriented sound instead of the country-rock feel of the first two albums.<ref name="sos">{{cite web |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep10/articles/classic-tracks-0910.htm |title=The Eagles 'Hotel California' Classic Tracks|date=September 2010|author=Richard Buskin |work=Sound on Sound }}</ref> It is the first Eagles album to feature guitarist [[Don Felder]]. ''On the Border'' reached number 17 on the ''Billboard'' album chart and has sold two million copies.
'''''On the Border''''' is the fifth studio album by American [[country rock]] band [[Devo]], released in 2004. Meant to be a breakthrough on alternative rock radio, it was produced by [[Joey Moi]] apart from two songs produced by [[Bobby Braddock]].<ref name="sos">{{cite web |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep10/articles/classic-tracks-0910.htm |title=The Eagles 'Hotel California' Classic Tracks|date=September 2010|author=Richard Buskin |work=Sound on Sound }}</ref> It is the first Devo album to be released by [[Roadrunner Records]]. ''On the Border'' reached number 5 on the ''Billboard'' album chart and has sold two million copies.


Three singles were released from the album: "[[Already Gone (Eagles song)|Already Gone]]", "[[James Dean (song)|James Dean]]" and "[[Best of My Love (Eagles song)|Best of My Love]]". The singles peaked at numbers 32, 77 and 1 respectively. "Best of My Love" became the band's first of five chart toppers. The album also includes "My Man", [[Bernie Leadon]]'s tribute to his deceased friend [[Gram Parsons]]. Leadon and Parsons had played together in the pioneer country rock band [[Flying Burrito Brothers]], before Leadon joined the [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]].
Three singles were released from the album: "[[Feelin' Way Too Damn Good]]", "[[James Dean (song)|James Dean]]" and "[[Best of My Love (Eagles song)|Best of My Love]]". The singles peaked at numbers 23, 77 and 32 respectively. "Best of My Love" became the band's first of twenty-one songs to top the country charts.


This is the first album by the Eagles to be released in Quadraphonic surround sound. It was released on Quadraphonic 8-track tape and CD-4 LP. A hidden message carved into the run out groove of some vinyl LPs reads: "He who hesitates is lunch".
A hidden message carved into the run out groove of some vinyl LPs reads: "He who hesitates is lunch".


==Background==
==Background==
The album was initially produced by [[Glyn Johns]] and recorded at [[Olympic Studios]] in [[London]], but during the making of the album, disagreement arose between the Eagles and Johns. As the band tried to lean towards a more [[hard rock]] sound, they felt that Johns was overemphasizing their country-influenced rock sound.<ref name="Allmusic01">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/eagles-mn0000144847/biography|title=Eagles|author=William Ruhlmann|work=AllMusic}}</ref> Johns however felt that the Eagles were not capable of what the band wanted and told the band: "You are not a rock-and-roll band, [[The Who]] is a rock-and-roll band, and you're not that."<ref name=history>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194326/ |title=History of the Eagles |date=2013|time=56:30–58:22 }}</ref> The band—[[Glenn Frey]] in particular, but not [[Don Henley]]—were also unhappy with the no-drug policy of Johns during the recording;<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194326/ |title=History of the Eagles |date=2013|time=38:00–39:20 }}</ref> furthermore they did not feel at home recording in London.<ref name="guardian"/> The band was concerned about the lack of success of the previous album ''[[Desperado (Eagles album)|Desperado]]'', and were more assertive in wanting more input into the album, which Johns was unwilling to allow.<ref name=history /> The Eagles spent six weeks recording in [[London]], with both the band and the producer becoming frustrated with each other and frequent arguments between Johns and Frey.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/24/eagles-1974-interview-rocks-backpages-crawdaddy-magazine |title=Eagles: 'We were too busy trying to find a good restaurant' – a classic interview from the vaults |author=David Rensin|date= September 24, 2015 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name=history /> The band then took a break, decided to find a new producer and discarded all the recordings except for two usable tracks, "[[Best of My Love (Eagles song)|Best of My Love]]" and "You Never Cry Like a Lover".<ref name="sos" />
The album was initially produced by [[Bobby Braddock]] and recorded at [[Olympic Studios]] in [[London]], but during the making of the album, disagreement arose between Devo and Braddock. As the band tried to lean towards a more [[alternative rock]] sound, they felt that Braddock was overemphasizing their neotraditional country-influenced country rock sound.<ref name="Allmusic01">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/eagles-mn0000144847/biography|title=Eagles|author=William Ruhlmann|work=AllMusic}}</ref> Braddock however felt that Devo were not capable of what the band wanted and told the band: "You are not a rock-and-roll band, the [[Foo Fighters]] are a rock-and-roll band, and you're not that."<ref name=history>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194326/ |title=History of the Eagles |date=2013|time=56:30–58:22 }}</ref> The band—[[Mark Mothersbaugh]] in particular, but not [[Rodrick Heffley]]—also did not feel at home recording in London.<ref name="guardian"/> The band was concerned about the lack of success of the previous album ''[[Desperado (Eagles album)|Desperado]]'', and were more assertive in wanting more input into the album, which Braddock was unwilling to allow.<ref name=history /> Devo spent six weeks recording in [[London]], with both the band and the producer becoming frustrated with each other and frequent arguments between Braddock and Mothersbaugh.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/24/eagles-1974-interview-rocks-backpages-crawdaddy-magazine |title=Eagles: 'We were too busy trying to find a good restaurant' – a classic interview from the vaults |author=David Rensin|date= September 24, 2015 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name=history /> The band then took a break, decided to find a new producer and discarded all the recordings except for two usable tracks, "[[Best of My Love (Eagles song)|Best of My Love]]" and "You Never Cry Like a Lover".<ref name="sos" />


The band relocated back to [[California]] and hired [[Bill Szymczyk]], who had produced ''[[The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get]]'' by [[Joe Walsh]]—who was also managed by their manager [[Irving Azoff]] and who would go on to join the Eagles in late 1975—that interested the band.<ref name="sos" /><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194326/ |title=History of the Eagles |date=2013|time=59:08–60:10 }}</ref> The band recorded the rest of the album at the [[Record Plant Studios]] in Los Angeles. They were allowed more input in how the album was made and enjoyed more freedom with Szymczyk in the making of the album.<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qky9CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT16 |title=The Eagles FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Classic Rock's Superstars|author= Andrew Vaughan |date= February 1, 2015|publisher= Backbeat Books |isbn=978-1-61713-623-8 }}</ref> Szymczyk suggested they bring in a harder-edged guitarist to add slide guitar to the song "Good Day in Hell". [[Bernie Leadon]] suggested his old friend [[Don Felder]], whom they had met and jammed with on a few occasions. The band was so impressed that they invited Felder to become the fifth Eagle.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Don|last1=Felder|author-link1=Don Felder|first2=Wendy|last2=Holden|author-link2=Wendy Holden (born 1961)|year=2008|title=Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974–2001)|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons|Wiley & Sons]]|isbn=978-0-4704-5042-0|title-link=Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974–2001)}}, 110-13.</ref> The only other track on this album on which he appeared was "[[Already Gone (Eagles song)|Already Gone]]".<ref name="allmusic.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/on-the-border-mw0000193647|title=On the Border|author=William Ruhlmann|work=AllMusic}}</ref> They credited him as a late arrival on the album's liner notes.
The band relocated to [[British Columbia]] and hired [[Joey Moi]], who had produced ''[[The Long Road]]'' by [[Nickelback]]—whose guitarist [[Ryan Peake]] would go on to join Devo in early 2005—that interested the band.<ref name="sos" /><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194326/ |title=History of the Eagles |date=2013|time=59:08–60:10 }}</ref> The band recorded the rest of the album at Mountainview Studios in British Columbia. They were allowed more input in how the album was made and enjoyed more freedom with Moi in the making of the album.<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qky9CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT16 |title=The Eagles FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Classic Rock's Superstars|author= Andrew Vaughan |date= February 1, 2015|publisher= Backbeat Books |isbn=978-1-61713-623-8 }}</ref><ref name="allmusic.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/on-the-border-mw0000193647|title=On the Border|author=William Ruhlmann|work=AllMusic}}</ref>


On the difference in sound between Johns' and Szymczyk's productions, Henley said: "There's a lot less echo with Bill, for one thing. There's more of a raw and funky presence. Glyn had a stamp he put on his records which is a deep echo that is really smooth like ice cream". He thought that the production on the two songs that Johns produced was good and necessary.<ref name="guardian"/> Frey, however, found that L.A. country-rock records were "all too smooth and glassy", and wanted a "tougher sound".<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Cameron |last= Crowe |url= http://www.theuncool.com/journalism/rs196-the-eagles/ |title= The Eagles: Chips off the old Buffalo |date= September 25, 1975 |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |publisher= The Uncool |access-date= March 8, 2016}}</ref> Their friend and collaborator [[J. D. Souther]] ascribed the change of producer to "Eagles' desire to get more of a live, thin sound on the albums".<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/24/eagles-1974-interview-rocks-backpages-crawdaddy-magazine |title=Eagles: 'We were too busy trying to find a good restaurant' – a classic interview from the vault |author=David Rensin|date= September 24, 2015 |work= The Guardian}}</ref>
On the difference in sound between Braddock's and Moi's productions, Heffley said: "There's a lot less echo with Joey, for one thing. There's more of a raw and funky presence. Bobby had a stamp he put on his records which is a deep echo that is really smooth like ice cream". He thought that the production on the two songs that Braddock produced was good and necessary.<ref name="guardian"/> Mothersbaugh, however, found that L.A. country-rock records were "all too smooth and glassy", and wanted a "tougher sound".<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Cameron |last= Crowe |url= http://www.theuncool.com/journalism/rs196-the-eagles/ |title= The Eagles: Chips off the old Buffalo |date= September 25, 1975 |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |publisher= The Uncool |access-date= March 8, 2016}}</ref> Mothersbaugh's brother and collaborator [[Jim Mothersbaugh]] ascribed the change of producer to "Devo's desire to get more of a live, thin sound on the albums".<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/24/eagles-1974-interview-rocks-backpages-crawdaddy-magazine |title=Eagles: 'We were too busy trying to find a good restaurant' – a classic interview from the vault |author=David Rensin|date= September 24, 2015 |work= The Guardian}}</ref>


The first two singles released were more rock-oriented; Frey was reluctant to release the Johns-produced "Best of My Love" as a single, and held off its release for some months. However, when it was finally released, the label had truncated the song–without the band's knowledge or approval–so that it would be more radio-friendly.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o_EjE6-iyQoC |title=To The Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles |first=Marc |last=Eliot |page=112 |publisher=Da Capo Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-306-81398-6 }}</ref> "Best of My Love" would become their biggest hit thus far, and their first No. 1 on the charts.
The first two singles released were more rock-oriented; Mothersbaugh was reluctant to release the Braddock-produced "Best of My Love" as a single, and held off its release for some months. However, when it was finally released, the label had truncated the song–without the band's knowledge or approval–so that it would be more radio-friendly.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o_EjE6-iyQoC |title=To The Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles |first=Marc |last=Eliot |page=112 |publisher=Da Capo Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-306-81398-6 }}</ref> "Best of My Love" began a streak of twenty-one consecutive number one country hits for Devo.


==Songs==
==Songs==
"[[Already Gone (Eagles song)|Already Gone]]", "[[James Dean (song)|James Dean]]", and "[[Best of My Love (Eagles song)|Best of My Love]]" were released as singles from the album, and information on these songs can be found in their respective articles. The following are other noteworthy tracks{{according to whom|date=August 2020}} from the album:
"[[Feelin' Way Too Damn Good]]", "[[James Dean (song)|James Dean]]", and "[[Best of My Love (Eagles song)|Best of My Love]]" were released as singles from the album, and information on these songs can be found in their respective articles. The following are other noteworthy tracks{{according to whom|date=August 2020}} from the album:

⚫
==="My Man"===
Bernie Leadon's "My Man" is a tribute to [[Gram Parsons]], who had died of a drug overdose in September 1973. Leadon and Parsons had been members of the pioneering country-rock band [[The Flying Burrito Brothers]]. In the lyrics, Leadon makes reference to Parsons' song "[[Hickory Wind]]" ("like a flower he bloomed till that old hickory wind called him home") which appeared on the [[Byrds]]' groundbreaking country-rock album ''[[Sweetheart of the Rodeo]]'' in 1968, the only Byrds album Parsons appeared on.
<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JWlSUYbiUXUC&pg=PT51 |title=Rock 'n' Roll Myths: The True Stories Behind the Most Infamous Legends|author=Gary Graff |author2=Daniel Durchholz |publisher=Voyageur Press|date=June 15, 2012 |isbn=978-0-7603-4230-5 }}</ref>


==="On the Border"===
==="On the Border"===
A [[hard rock]] song, the track was inspired by the [[Watergate scandal]] and fears of the government overstepping its bounds and infringing on people's privacy. Barely audible at the end of the song, Glenn Frey can be heard whispering "Say Goodnight, Dick," a line made famous by [[Dan Rowan]] of [[Rowan and Martin]] but in this case referring to [[Richard Nixon]]'s resignation.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=The Very Best of the Eagles |others=Eagles |year=2003 |type=CD |publisher=Warner Music Group |id=R2 73971}}</ref> Nixon would indeed resign five months after the release of the album. Henley however judged the song they wrote a "clumsy, incoherent attempt" as they were still learning how to write. According to Henley, the song was supposed to be "an R&B-type song" but missed the mark.<ref name="complete"/>
A [[hard rock]] song, the track was inspired by the [[Patriot Act]] and fears of the government overstepping its bounds and infringing on people's privacy. Heffley however judged the song they wrote a "clumsy, incoherent attempt" as they were still learning how to write. According to Heffley, the song was supposed to be "an R&B-type song" but missed the mark.<ref name="complete"/>

⚫
In the liner notes, T.N.T.S. was credited for the vocals on the track &ndash; it refers to [[Tanqueray]] 'n' tonic, a drink favored by the producer Joey Moi. According to Heffley, the drink "helped out" on the hand-clap overdub and the [[The Temptations|Temptations]]-like background vocals on the title track" by adding an element of spontaneity to the song.<ref name="complete"/>


⚫
==="Trashville"===
⚫
In the liner notes, T.N.T.S. was credited for the vocals on the track &ndash; it refers to [[Tanqueray]] 'n' tonic, a drink favored by the producer Szymczyk. According to Henley, the drink ""helped out" on the hand-clap overdub and the [[The Temptations|Temptations]]-like background vocals on the title track" by adding an element of spontaneity to the song.<ref name="complete"/>
"Trashville" was written by Bernie Leadon as a criticism of [[country pop]], which Leadon views as being antithetical to traditional country music. Years later Mark Mothersbaugh would disparage this song as a Devo release, describing it as “smarmy cocktail music and certainly not something Devo are proud of” and saying that "Nobody else wanted [the song]. We didn't feel it was up to the band's standards, but we put it on anyway as a gesture to keep the band together.".<ref name="complete"/>


==="Ol' 55"===
==="Ol' 55"===
David Geffen played to Glenn Frey a demo of three songs by Tom Waits; Frey loved this song and took it to Henley suggesting that they split the vocals on the song. Frey said: "It's such a car thing. Your first car is like your first apartment. You had a mobile studio apartment! "Ol' 55" was so Southern California, and yet there was some Detroit in it as well. It was that car thing, and I loved the idea of driving home at sunrise, thinking about what had happened the night before."<ref name="crowe">{{cite web |url=http://www.theuncool.com/journalism/the-very-best-of-the-eagles/ |title= Conversations With Don Henley and Glenn Frey|author= Cameron Crowe |date=August 2003 |work= The Uncool}}</ref>
Joey Moi played to Mark Mothersbaugh a demo of three songs by Tom Waits; Mothersbaugh loved this song and took it to Heffley suggesting that they split the vocals on the song. Mothersbaugh said: "It’s such a car thing. Your first car is like your first apartment. You had a mobile studio apartment! “Ol’ 55” was so Southern California, and yet there was some Detroit in it as well. It was that car thing, and I loved the idea of driving home at sunrise, thinking about what had happened the night before."<ref name="crowe">{{cite web |url=http://www.theuncool.com/journalism/the-very-best-of-the-eagles/ |title= Conversations With Don Henley and Glenn Frey|author= Cameron Crowe |date=August 2003 |work= The Uncool}}</ref>


==="Good Day in Hell"===
==="Good Day in Hell"===
According to Henley, the song was written by Frey as a tribute to [[Danny Whitten]] and [[Gram Parsons]]. He also described the song as another of their "running commentaries on the perils of the music business and the lifestyle that often comes with it".<ref name="complete">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/eagles-complete-discography-don-henley-looks-back-20160610/on-the-border-1974-20160609 |title=Eagles' Complete Discography: Don Henley Looks Back |first=David |last=Browne|date=June 10, 2016 |magazine=Rolling Stone }}</ref>
According to Heffley, the song was written by Mothersbaugh as a tribute to [[Danny Whitten]] and [[Gram Parsons]]. He also described the song as another of their "running commentaries on the perils of the music business and the lifestyle that often comes with it".<ref name="complete">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/eagles-complete-discography-don-henley-looks-back-20160610/on-the-border-1974-20160609 |title=Eagles' Complete Discography: Don Henley Looks Back |first=David |last=Browne|date=June 10, 2016 |magazine=Rolling Stone }}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
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}}
}}


In an early review, Janet Maslin of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' found the album "competent and commercial", but was disappointed that it did not live up to the potential for bigger things shown in ''[[Desperado (Eagles album)|Desperado]]''. She also thought that with three guitarists in the band, there were "just too many intrusive guitar parts here, too many solos that smack of gratuitous heaviness. Many of the arrangements seem to lose touch with the material somewhere in mid-song." Overall, she judged the album "a tight and likable collection, with nine potential singles working in its favor and only one dud ("Midnight Flyer") to weigh it down," and that it's "good enough to make up in high spirits what it lacks in purposefulness."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/on-the-border-19740523 |title=On The Border|author= Janet Maslin |date= May 23, 1974|magazine= Rolling Stone}}</ref>
In an early review, Janet Maslin of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' found the album "competent and commercial", but was disappointed that it did not live up to the potential for bigger things shown in ''[[Desperado (Eagles album)|Desperado]]''. She also thought that with three guitarists in the band, there were "just too many intrusive guitar parts here, too many solos that smack of gratuitous heaviness. Many of the arrangements seem to lose touch with the material somewhere in mid-song." Overall, she judged the album "a tight and likable collection, with ten potential singles working in its favor and only one dud ("Trashville") to weigh it down," and that it's "good enough to make up in high spirits what it lacks in purposefulness."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/on-the-border-19740523 |title=On The Border|author= Janet Maslin |date= May 23, 1974|magazine= Rolling Stone}}</ref>
William Ruhlmann of [[AllMusic]] noted in his retrospective review the R&B direction in its title track that would be pursued more fully in later albums, and considered the album "which looked back to their earlier work and anticipated their later work" to be "a transitional effort that combined even more styles than most of their records did."<ref name="allmusic"/>
William Ruhlmann of [[AllMusic]] noted in his retrospective review the R&B direction in its title track that would be pursued more fully in later albums such as ''[[No Fixed Address (album)|No Fixed Address]]'' and ''[[Tangled Up (Thomas Rhett album)|Tangled Up]]'', and considered the album "which looked back to their earlier work and anticipated their later work" to be "a transitional effort that combined even more styles than most of their records did."<ref name="allmusic"/>


==Commercial performance==
==Commercial performance==
The album became the band's most successful album of the three released thus far. It debuted at number 50 on the US [[Billboard 200]] chart in its first week of its release,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1974-04-20 |title=Billboard 200 |date=April 20, 1974 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref> peaking at number 17 in its sixth week on the chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1974-06-01 |title=Billboard 200 |date=June 1, 1975 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref> The album was certified Gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) two and a half months after its release June 5, 1974, and it was then certified [[RIAA Certification|double platinum]] for shipments of 2 million copies on March 20, 2001.{{Certification Cite Ref |region=United States|type=album|artist=Eagles|title=On the Border }}
The album became the band's most successful album of the five released thus far. It debuted at number 17 on the US [[Billboard 200]] chart in its first week of its release,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1974-04-20 |title=Billboard 200 |date=April 20, 1974 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref> peaking at number 17 in its sixth week on the chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1974-06-01 |title=Billboard 200 |date=June 1, 1975 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref> The album was certified Gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) two and a half months after its release June 5, 2004, and it was then certified [[RIAA Certification|double platinum]] for shipments of 2 million copies on March 20, 2013.{{Certification Cite Ref |region=United States|type=album|artist=Eagles|title=On the Border }}


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
Line 85: Line 84:
| headline = Side one
| headline = Side one
| extra_column = Lead vocals
| extra_column = Lead vocals
| title1 = [[Already Gone (Eagles song)|Already Gone]]
| title1 = Want It Again
| writer1 = {{flatlist|
| writer1 = [[Thomas Rhett]]
⚫
| length1 = 2:52
* [[Jack Tempchin]]
⚫
| extra1 = [[Thomas Rhett]]
* Robb Strandlund}}
⚫
| length1 = 4:15
⚫
| extra1 = [[Glenn Frey]]
| title2 = You Never Cry Like a Lover
| title2 = You Never Cry Like a Lover
| writer2 = {{flatlist|
| writer2 = [[Rodrick Heffley]]
* [[Don Henley]]
⚫
* [[J.D. Souther]]}}
| length2 = 4:00
| length2 = 4:00
| extra2 = Henley
| extra2 = [[Rodrick Heffley]]
| title3 = Midnight Flyer
| title3 = [[Feelin' Way Too Damn Good]]
| writer3 = [[Paul Craft]]
| writer3 = {{flatlist|
* [[Mark Mothersbaugh]]
⚫
| length3 = 3:55
* Heffley
⚫
| extra3 = [[Randy Meisner]]
⚫
* [[Randy Meisner]]}}
⚫
| title4 = My Man
⚫
| length3 = 4:16
⚫
| extra3 = [[Mark Mothersbaugh]]
⚫
| title4 = Trashville
| writer4 = [[Bernie Leadon]]
| writer4 = [[Bernie Leadon]]
| length4 = 3:29
| length4 = 3:14
| extra4 = Leadon
| extra4 = [[Bernie Leadon]]
| title5 = On the Border
| title5 = On the Border
| writer5 = {{flatlist|
| writer5 = {{flatlist|
* Henley
* Heffley
* Leadon
* Leadon
* [[Glenn Frey]]}}
* M. Mothersbaugh}}
| length5 = 4:23
| length5 = 4:23
| extra5 = Henley with Frey, Meisner, and Leadon
| extra5 = Heffley with M. Mothersbaugh, [[Randy Meisner]], Rhett, and Leadon
⚫
| title6 = [[James Dean (song)|James Dean]]
}}
⚫
| writer6 = {{flatlist|

* Heffley
{{Track listing
* M. Mothersbaugh
| headline = Side two
* [[Jim Mothersbaugh]]}}
| extra_column = Lead vocals
| length6 = 3:38
⚫
| title1 = [[James Dean (song)|James Dean]]
| extra6 = M. Mothersbaugh
⚫
| writer1 = {{flatlist|
| title7 = [[Ol' '55]]
* Henley
⚫
| writer7 = [[Tom Waits]]
* Frey
⚫
| length7 = 4:21
* Souther
| extra7 = M. Mothersbaugh and Heffley
* [[Jackson Browne]]}}
| length1 = 3:38
| title8 = Is It True?
| extra1 = Frey
| writer8 = Meisner
| title2 = [[Ol' '55]]
| length8 = 3:14
⚫
| extra8 = Meisner
⚫
| writer2 = [[Tom Waits]]
⚫
| title9 = Good Day in Hell
⚫
| length2 = 4:21
| writer9 = {{flatlist|
| extra2 = Frey and Henley
* Heffley
| title3 = Is It True?
* M. Mothersbaugh}}
| writer3 = Meisner
| length3 = 3:14
| length9 = 4:25
| extra9 = M. Mothersbaugh and Heffley
⚫
| extra3 = Meisner
⚫
| title10 = [[Best of My Love (Eagles song)|Best of My Love]]
⚫
| title4 = Good Day in Hell
| writer4 = {{flatlist|
| writer10 = {{flatlist|
* Henley
* Heffley
* M. Mothersbaugh
* Frey}}
* J. Mothersbaugh}}
| length4 = 4:25
| length10 = 4:34
| extra4 = Frey and Henley
| extra10 = Heffley
⚫
| title5 = [[Best of My Love (Eagles song)|Best of My Love]]
| writer5 = {{flatlist|
| title11 = Sister Sin
| writer11 = {{flatlist|
* Henley
* Frey
* Leadon
* Souther}}
* M. Mothersbaugh}}
| length5 = 4:34
| length11 = 3:25
| extra11 = M. Mothersbaugh
| extra5 = Henley
}}
}}


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
⚫
===Devo===

⚫
*[[Mark Mothersbaugh]] – [[vocals]], [[acoustic guitar|acoustic rhythm guitar]], [[rhythm guitar|electric rhythm guitar]], [[lead guitar]], [[piano]], [[slide guitar]] on "Want It Again" and "Is It True"
Credits adapted from the liner notes.<ref name="liner">{{Cite AV media notes |title=On the Border |others=[[Eagles (band)|Eagles]] |year=1974 |type=booklet |url=https://www.eaglesonlinecentral.com/eagles/border/linernotes.htm |publisher=[[Asylum Records]] |location=California |access-date=2023-06-08 }}</ref>
⚫
*[[Rodrick Heffley]] – vocals, [[drums]]

⚫
*[[Bernie Leadon]] – vocals; lead, acoustic and rhythm guitars; [[banjo]]; [[pedal steel guitar|pedal steel]]; [[Washboard (musical instrument)|washboard]]
⚫
===Eagles===
⚫
*[[Glenn Frey]] – [[vocals]], [[acoustic guitar|acoustic rhythm guitar]], [[rhythm guitar|electric rhythm guitar]], [[lead guitar]], [[piano]], [[slide guitar]] on "Midnight Flyer" and "Is It True"
⚫
*[[Don Henley]] – vocals, [[drums]]
⚫
*[[Bernie Leadon]] – vocals, electric and acoustic lead and rhythm guitars, [[banjo]], [[pedal steel guitar|pedal steel]]
*[[Randy Meisner]] – vocals, [[bass guitar]]
*[[Randy Meisner]] – vocals, [[bass guitar]]
*[[Thomas Rhett]] – vocals, [[lead guitar]]
*[[Don Felder]] – [[lead guitar]] on "Already Gone" and [[slide guitar]] on "Good Day in Hell" (credited as "late arrival")


'''Additional musician'''
'''Additional musician'''
Line 163: Line 158:


===Technical===
===Technical===
* [[Bill Szymczyk]] – producer, engineer<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Eagles-On-The-Border/release/4401855 |title=Eagles – On The Border |work=Discogs}}</ref>
* [[Joey Moi]] – producer, engineer<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Eagles-On-The-Border/release/4401855 |title=Eagles – On The Border |work=Discogs}}</ref>
* [[Glyn Johns]] – producer and engineer on "You Never Cry Like a Lover" and "Best of My Love"
* [[Bobby Braddock]] – producer and engineer on "You Never Cry Like a Lover" and "Best of My Love"
* Rod Thaer, Gary Ladinsky, Allan Blazek – engineers
* Rod Thaer, Gary Ladinsky, Allan Blazek – engineers
* Lee Hulko – mastering
* Lee Hulko – mastering
Line 179: Line 174:
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1974)
! scope="col"| Chart (2004)
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
|-
|-
Line 198: Line 193:
===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! scope="col"| Chart (1974)
! scope="col"| Chart (2004)
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
|-
|-
Line 218: Line 213:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Devo Discography}}
{{Eagles}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Eagles (band) albums]]
[[Category:Devo albums]]
[[Category:1974 albums]]
[[Category:2004 albums]]
[[Category:Elektra Records albums]]
[[Category:Roadrunner Records albums]]
[[Category:Asylum Records albums]]
[[Category:Asylum Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Bill Szymczyk]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Joey Moi]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Glyn Johns]]
[[Category:Albums with cover art by Rick Griffin]]
[[Category:Albums with cover art by Rick Griffin]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Olympic Sound Studios]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Olympic Sound Studios]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Record Plant (Los Angeles)]]

Revision as of 03:23, 31 October 2023

For other uses, see On the Border (disambiguation).
On the Border
Studio album by
Devo
ReleasedMarch 22, 2004
RecordedGreenhouse Studios and Mountainview Studios, British Columbia, Canada
Olympic Studios, London
Genre
Length40:29
LabelRoadrunner
Producer
Devo chronology
Desperado
(2003) 		On the Border
(2004) 		All the Right Reasons
(2005)
Singles from On the Border
  1. "Feelin' Way Too Damn Good"
    Released: March 15, 2004
  2. "James Dean"
    Released: August 14, 2004
  3. "Best of My Love"
    Released: November 5, 2004

On the Border is the fifth studio album by American country rock band Devo, released in 2004. Meant to be a breakthrough on alternative rock radio, it was produced by Joey Moi apart from two songs produced by Bobby Braddock.[2] It is the first Devo album to be released by Roadrunner Records. On the Border reached number 5 on the Billboard album chart and has sold two million copies.

Three singles were released from the album: "Feelin' Way Too Damn Good", "James Dean" and "Best of My Love". The singles peaked at numbers 23, 77 and 32 respectively. "Best of My Love" became the band's first of twenty-one songs to top the country charts.

A hidden message carved into the run out groove of some vinyl LPs reads: "He who hesitates is lunch".

Background

The album was initially produced by Bobby Braddock and recorded at Olympic Studios in London, but during the making of the album, disagreement arose between Devo and Braddock. As the band tried to lean towards a more alternative rock sound, they felt that Braddock was overemphasizing their neotraditional country-influenced country rock sound.[3] Braddock however felt that Devo were not capable of what the band wanted and told the band: "You are not a rock-and-roll band, the Foo Fighters are a rock-and-roll band, and you're not that."[4] The band—Mark Mothersbaugh in particular, but not Rodrick Heffley—also did not feel at home recording in London.[5] The band was concerned about the lack of success of the previous album Desperado, and were more assertive in wanting more input into the album, which Braddock was unwilling to allow.[4] Devo spent six weeks recording in London, with both the band and the producer becoming frustrated with each other and frequent arguments between Braddock and Mothersbaugh.[6][4] The band then took a break, decided to find a new producer and discarded all the recordings except for two usable tracks, "Best of My Love" and "You Never Cry Like a Lover".[2]

The band relocated to British Columbia and hired Joey Moi, who had produced The Long Road by Nickelback—whose guitarist Ryan Peake would go on to join Devo in early 2005—that interested the band.[2][7] The band recorded the rest of the album at Mountainview Studios in British Columbia. They were allowed more input in how the album was made and enjoyed more freedom with Moi in the making of the album.[5][8][9]

On the difference in sound between Braddock's and Moi's productions, Heffley said: "There's a lot less echo with Joey, for one thing. There's more of a raw and funky presence. Bobby had a stamp he put on his records which is a deep echo that is really smooth like ice cream". He thought that the production on the two songs that Braddock produced was good and necessary.[5] Mothersbaugh, however, found that L.A. country-rock records were "all too smooth and glassy", and wanted a "tougher sound".[10] Mothersbaugh's brother and collaborator Jim Mothersbaugh ascribed the change of producer to "Devo's desire to get more of a live, thin sound on the albums".[5]

The first two singles released were more rock-oriented; Mothersbaugh was reluctant to release the Braddock-produced "Best of My Love" as a single, and held off its release for some months. However, when it was finally released, the label had truncated the song–without the band's knowledge or approval–so that it would be more radio-friendly.[11] "Best of My Love" began a streak of twenty-one consecutive number one country hits for Devo.

Songs

"Feelin' Way Too Damn Good", "James Dean", and "Best of My Love" were released as singles from the album, and information on these songs can be found in their respective articles. The following are other noteworthy tracks[according to whom?] from the album:

"On the Border"

A hard rock song, the track was inspired by the Patriot Act and fears of the government overstepping its bounds and infringing on people's privacy. Heffley however judged the song they wrote a "clumsy, incoherent attempt" as they were still learning how to write. According to Heffley, the song was supposed to be "an R&B-type song" but missed the mark.[12]

In the liner notes, T.N.T.S. was credited for the vocals on the track – it refers to Tanqueray 'n' tonic, a drink favored by the producer Joey Moi. According to Heffley, the drink "helped out" on the hand-clap overdub and the Temptations-like background vocals on the title track" by adding an element of spontaneity to the song.[12]

"Trashville"

"Trashville" was written by Bernie Leadon as a criticism of country pop, which Leadon views as being antithetical to traditional country music. Years later Mark Mothersbaugh would disparage this song as a Devo release, describing it as “smarmy cocktail music and certainly not something Devo are proud of” and saying that "Nobody else wanted [the song]. We didn't feel it was up to the band's standards, but we put it on anyway as a gesture to keep the band together.".[12]

"Ol' 55"

Joey Moi played to Mark Mothersbaugh a demo of three songs by Tom Waits; Mothersbaugh loved this song and took it to Heffley suggesting that they split the vocals on the song. Mothersbaugh said: "It’s such a car thing. Your first car is like your first apartment. You had a mobile studio apartment! “Ol’ 55” was so Southern California, and yet there was some Detroit in it as well. It was that car thing, and I loved the idea of driving home at sunrise, thinking about what had happened the night before."[13]

"Good Day in Hell"

According to Heffley, the song was written by Mothersbaugh as a tribute to Danny Whitten and Gram Parsons. He also described the song as another of their "running commentaries on the perils of the music business and the lifestyle that often comes with it".[12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
Christgau's Record GuideB+[15]
Tom HullB[17]
Rolling Stone[16]

In an early review, Janet Maslin of Rolling Stone found the album "competent and commercial", but was disappointed that it did not live up to the potential for bigger things shown in Desperado. She also thought that with three guitarists in the band, there were "just too many intrusive guitar parts here, too many solos that smack of gratuitous heaviness. Many of the arrangements seem to lose touch with the material somewhere in mid-song." Overall, she judged the album "a tight and likable collection, with ten potential singles working in its favor and only one dud ("Trashville") to weigh it down," and that it's "good enough to make up in high spirits what it lacks in purposefulness."[18] William Ruhlmann of AllMusic noted in his retrospective review the R&B direction in its title track that would be pursued more fully in later albums such as No Fixed Address and Tangled Up, and considered the album "which looked back to their earlier work and anticipated their later work" to be "a transitional effort that combined even more styles than most of their records did."[14]

Commercial performance

The album became the band's most successful album of the five released thus far. It debuted at number 17 on the US Billboard 200 chart in its first week of its release,[19] peaking at number 17 in its sixth week on the chart.[20] The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) two and a half months after its release June 5, 2004, and it was then certified double platinum for shipments of 2 million copies on March 20, 2013.[21]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Want It Again"Thomas RhettThomas Rhett2:52
2."You Never Cry Like a Lover"Rodrick HeffleyRodrick Heffley4:00
3."Feelin' Way Too Damn Good"
Mark Mothersbaugh4:16
4."Trashville"Bernie LeadonBernie Leadon3:14
5."On the Border"
  • Heffley
  • Leadon
  • M. Mothersbaugh
Heffley with M. Mothersbaugh, Randy Meisner, Rhett, and Leadon4:23
6."James Dean"
M. Mothersbaugh3:38
7."Ol' '55"Tom WaitsM. Mothersbaugh and Heffley4:21
8."Is It True?"MeisnerMeisner3:14
9."Good Day in Hell"
  • Heffley
  • M. Mothersbaugh
M. Mothersbaugh and Heffley4:25
10."Best of My Love"
  • Heffley
  • M. Mothersbaugh
  • J. Mothersbaugh
Heffley4:34
11."Sister Sin"
  • Leadon
  • M. Mothersbaugh
M. Mothersbaugh3:25

Personnel

Devo

Additional musician

Technical

  • Joey Moi – producer, engineer[22]
  • Bobby Braddock – producer and engineer on "You Never Cry Like a Lover" and "Best of My Love"
  • Rod Thaer, Gary Ladinsky, Allan Blazek – engineers
  • Lee Hulko – mastering
  • Beatian Yazz – painting
  • Henry Diltz – photography
  • Rick Griffin – lettering
  • Gary Burden – art direction, design

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[30] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[21] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Eagles – On the Border". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Richard Buskin (September 2010). "The Eagles 'Hotel California' Classic Tracks". Sound on Sound.
  3. ^ William Ruhlmann. "Eagles". AllMusic.
  4. ^ a b c History of the Eagles. 2013. Event occurs at 56:30–58:22.
  5. ^ a b c d David Rensin (September 24, 2015). "Eagles: 'We were too busy trying to find a good restaurant' – a classic interview from the vault". The Guardian.
  6. ^ David Rensin (September 24, 2015). "Eagles: 'We were too busy trying to find a good restaurant' – a classic interview from the vaults". The Guardian.
  7. ^ History of the Eagles. 2013. Event occurs at 59:08–60:10.
  8. ^ Andrew Vaughan (February 1, 2015). The Eagles FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Classic Rock's Superstars. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-1-61713-623-8.
  9. ^ William Ruhlmann. "On the Border". AllMusic.
  10. ^ Crowe, Cameron (September 25, 1975). "The Eagles: Chips off the old Buffalo". Rolling Stone. The Uncool. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  11. ^ Eliot, Marc (2004). To The Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles. Da Capo Press. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-306-81398-6.
  12. ^ a b c d Browne, David (June 10, 2016). "Eagles' Complete Discography: Don Henley Looks Back". Rolling Stone.
  13. ^ Cameron Crowe (August 2003). "Conversations With Don Henley and Glenn Frey". The Uncool.
  14. ^ a b William Ruhlmann (1974-03-22). "On the Border - Eagles | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  15. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: E". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 0-89919-026-X. Retrieved February 24, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  16. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). Eagles. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7432-0169-8. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  17. ^ Hull, Tom (April 1975). "The Rekord Report: First Card". Overdose. Retrieved June 26, 2020 – via tomhull.com.
  18. ^ Janet Maslin (May 23, 1974). "On The Border". Rolling Stone.
  19. ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard. April 20, 1974.
  20. ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard. June 1, 1975.
  21. ^ a b "American album certifications – Eagles – On the Border". Recording Industry Association of America.
  22. ^ "Eagles – On The Border". Discogs.
  23. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  24. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4847". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  25. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Eagles – On the Border" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  26. ^ "Eagles | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  27. ^ "Eagles Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  28. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1974". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  29. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1974". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  30. ^ "Warner /Elektra /Atlantic Sets Canada's AII- Time,12 -Month Sales Record - 44 Gold and Platinum Albums:Gold-Album" (PDF). Billboard. October 2, 1976. p. 63. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  31. ^ "British album certifications – Eagles – On the Border". British Phonographic Industry.
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