10 Perfect Soft Rock Music Albums Of The '80s

Don Henley's third LP found him on suitably thoughtful form, once again delving into themes of ageing and memory. While the return to themes of youth and nostalgia continued a trend in his music, the style and additional ideas in this LP were a noticeable departure from his prior efforts.

Less political than some of his earlier releases, Henley gears his sensitive eye towards additional personal topics such as masculinity in crisis and living with regret. The result is a beautifully executed, but often rather gloomy, album that perfectly showcased the continuing maturation of Henley's journey as a solo artist.

The titular track, as well as singles such as 'The Last Worthless Evening' and 'The Heart of the Matter' showcase Henley's flare for well-paced, often soothing melodies. Lyrically, his emotional, often-revelatory words are brought to startling life effectively through his distinctive singing voice.

First released back in June 1989, 'The End of the Innocence' impressed critics, many of whom cited it as a neat and tidy example of Henley's development since first going solo.

With a five-year gap between his efforts here and 'Building the Perfect Beast', Henley had plenty of time to perfect his audio ambitions. The result was arguably his finest solo effort, blending soft rock sensibilities with pop energy and unique lyrical insights.