The Envoy (Remastered)

Battling with alcoholism and trying to establish his footing in the changing rock landscape of the ‘80s and MTV, Warren Zevon handed in The Envoy, a thoughtful and literate collection of tunes that continued to show the author’s masterful hand. The title track is disturbingly still relevant as it sketches out world tensions in the Middle East amongst its totalitarian synthesizers and unforgiving rhythm. “Charlie’s Medicine” eulogizes his old drug pusher. Best are “The Hula Hula Boys,” a smirking look at a Hawaiian vacation that goes all wrong (“I saw her leave the luau with the one who parked the cars”), “Jesus Mentioned,” an acoustic meditative ballad reflecting on the death of Elvis Presley, and “Looking for the Next Best Thing,” an irresistibly catchy rocker about settling for less that begs to be taken onto the highway. The 2007 reissue includes four outtakes: a sloppy, informal stab at the Troggs’ “Wild Thing,” a spy-thriller instrumental “Word of Mouth,” an alternate take of “Let Nothing Come Between You” with altered lyrics, and “The Risk,” a calm, even-handed look at fate.