Two years before "Werewolves of London" became his sole big hit and something of an albatross, Warren Zevon stood at the artier end of L.A. singer-songwriter rock. Fueled by a love for the Stones and Ross MacDonald, Zevon turned his Asylum Records debut (produced by buddy Jackson Browne) into one of the ultimate statements of Southern California pop. The songs range from commanding, funny takes on American West mythos ("Frank and Jesse James") to pained, funny views of sexual politics ("Poor Poor Pitiful Me") and existential drama (most of the other songs). Anyone who cherishes Hotel California needs this album, too.