Warren Zevon, the "Excitable Boy," followed his comeback Sentimental Hygiene with 1989's Transverse City, an album that was another creative success but met with the same commercial yawn as its predecessor. It was unfortunate because Transverse City is glorious documentation of social, and personal, decay, delivered with the acerbic wit that Zevon had made his reputation with. Many of Zevon's usual musical crew are aboard like guitarists Waddy Wachtel and David Lindley, but Zevon also makes good use of cameos by everyone from Chick Corea and Neil Young, to Jerry Garcia and David Gilmour. "Run Straight Down" sets the tone early on, with it's moody lyrics detailing urban collapse, and the jangly upbeat "Splendid Isolation" finds the protagonist surrendering to the chaos of it all. Zevon also addresses gridlock, consumerism, and even finds room for the bittersweet ballad "Nobody's in Love This Year." Sometimes the lyrics are stretched a bit thin ("Long Arm of the Law"), but the level of musicianship is impressive and Transverse City is another strong entry in Zevon's catalog.

(All Music Guide)