Jackson Browne's "Running on Empty", first released in 1977, proved to be a groundbreaking album for the California musician. It became Browne's first major commercial success in the wake of four brilliant but largely overlooked studio releases; before those, he showed himself to be a particularly gifted songwriter for others, penning The Eagles' "Take It Easy" with Glenn Frey, as well as Nico's "These Days." In contrast to these earlier efforts, "Running on Empty" possesses a whimsical and toe-tapping energy not found in his more introspective work. The album's concept is also so irresistibly appealing that other rock stars must have slapped themselves on the head for not thinking of it earlier. It features everything about the road - the grueling tours, the groupies, the drugs, the loneliness - in gritty and candid frankness.

The album begins with the fast-paced title track, which recalls the young singer's wayward ramblings, both around the country and within himself. The song has become an anthem for those lost souls searching for something, sometimes to no avail - not to mention that it was used (and very appropriately) in the cross-country jogging scene in "Forrest Gump".

From there, the songs alternate somewhat between pedal-to-the-metal road epics and quieter, more melancholy tunes reminiscent of "Late for the Sky" or "The Pretender". "Rosie" is an amusing homage to, er, self-love and highlights the band's absolutely sublime vocal and harmonizing ability, as well as Browne's simple but effective piano work.

The singer also gives a nod to his blues and gospel influences with a cover of Reverend Gary Davis' "Cocaine", recorded in an Illinois Holiday Inn motel room. The combination of Browne's fluid guitar picking with the background fiddle, coupled with the newly refined and more macabre lyrics, makes for a song that far outstrips Bob Dylan's "Gaslight" version and is even comparable to the original.

The latter half of the album is no less spectacular. One more piano-driven lament on love and its shortcomings is thrown in with "Love Needs a Heart", co-written with Little Feat's Lowell George. Next, listen for the roaring sound of an engine and shifting gears on "Nothing But Time", recorded on a Silver Eagle bus en route to New Jersey from Maine.

On the album's final track, "The Load-Out", Browne croons affectionately to his roadies and fans, singing "when it comes to movin' me, you know you guys are the champs." It should come as no shock, then, the song that thanks the guys who perform a thankless job and gives the audience a little bit of extra love is still often used as his concert finale today. The energy picks up as the song transitions into an incredible rendition of Maurice Williams' "Stay," complete with the outstanding guitar work and endearing falsetto of resident goofball guitarist David Lindley.

By the time the music fades out, I usually have to ease up on the gas pedal to avoid a ticket before giving the album another go. Do yourself a favor: pick up this CD and let the music take you in on a lonely stretch of road, "as the miles roll away".