My Lives (2005) This isn't the first time Ol' Doe Eyes has released a career-spanning set, so why bother? Well, it goes back, way back, to Billy Joel's… Billy Joel Rock
Music Review

My Lives (2005)

Billy Joel
Reviewed by Marc Weingarten | Nov 28, 2005
'MY' STORY, AGAIN Joel releases another set of albums
Image credit: Bill Joel: Retna Ltd.
'MY' STORY, AGAIN Joel releases another set of albums
EW's GRADE
B+

Details Release Date: Nov 22, 2005; Lead Performance: Billy Joel; Genre: Rock

This isn't the first time Ol' Doe Eyes has released a career-spanning set, so why bother? Well, it goes back, way back, to Billy Joel's pre-solo days. His early fumbling attempts at rock glory with old bands the Lost Souls (Nuggets rock) and Attila (ELP-esque prog-rock) are the best bits. As far as his more familiar Tin Pan back-alley approach, there are lots of barren demos of tunes like ''Piano Man,'' never-released songs, and live covers of Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan, and Leonard Cohen numbers. If you love him, you need My Lives; if you like him, there's always iTunes.

Originally posted Nov 23, 2005 Published in issue #852 Dec 02, 2005 Order article reprints