A lyric by Steve Goodman begs for words we can dance to and melodies that rhyme. And Jimmy Buffett's cohesive Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes fills the request. After last year's disjointed Havana Daydreamin', the new set is a daydream come true. Themed on the Buffett ethic of high times, at sea and elsewhere ("If we weren't so crazy, we'd all go insane"), the album clicks. A song each from Goodman and Jesse Winchester and eight originals fill an album with potential single hits the music matches the worlds and Norbert Putnam's production rings commercial. After working with his energetic road band, Buffett is surprisingly powerful and the harp man, Fingers Taylor, now becomes a ranking musician in his own right. To this add Michale Utley's tasty keyboards and you'll be listening to Jimmy Buffett's most successful album to date. Rosalynn Carter can be proud to show off her Coral Reefers T-shirt.

- Playboy, 4/77.

Bonus Reviews!

Further reading on Super Seventies RockSite!: Jimmy Buffett FAQ

Buffett, purveyor of the nautical/Caribbean mystique, is in full bloom here with his fifth LP, possibly his most mature work to date. The themes are provocative enough, exploring maturation, loneliness, boredom, identity searching, expatriatism, human relationships, all done against travel as metaphor for living. Vocals and lyrics are sensitive and there is definite crossover pop and country appeal. Best cuts: "Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes," "Banana Republics," "Lovely Cruise," "In The Shelter," "Miss You So Badly."

- Billboard, 1977.

Buffett's biggest selling regular release contains his biggest hit single, "Margaritaville." It's also a peak in terms of songwriting both for the artist himself and in his covers of the work of Steve Goodman and Jesse Winchester, among others. Funny, wistful, and celebratory, the album is the definitive statement of Buffett's world. * * * *

- William Ruhlmann, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995.

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes is a perfect sampler of feel-good folk-rockers (the title track, "Margaritaville") and pensive ballands ("Biloxi," "Wonder Why We Ever Go Home"). * * * *

- David Yonke, Musichound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, 1996.

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