Jimmy Buffett’s breakthrough album, Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes was released on January 20, 1977, the same day that another Southerner named Jimmy was sworn in as President. While the title track was a top 40 hit on the Hot 100 and “Tampico Trauma” was a minor hit on rock radio, this album went Platinum almost entirely because of the first single, “Margaritaville.”
I enjoy Buffett’s music on the admittedly infrequent occasions when I seek it out, and this album is no exception. If you’re not a fan, what I’m about to say might be very controversial. If you’re a certified, card-carrying Parrothead, what I’m about to say might be very basic. Whatever the case, I think this is a great album. I don’t know why the closing track “Landfall” didn’t get more attention on rock radio. It’s upbeat boogie rock that I could easily see Linda Ronstadt covering and making a hit. Alas, that never happened. “Miss You So Badly” is the weakest track, but despite that, the whole album is perfect music for a beach resort.
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