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Recorded during a turbulent period in the singer/songwriter's life--many of the songs on Hiatt's next two albums, BRING THE FAMILY and SLOW TURNING, concern the blurry alcoholic haze under which this album was created--1985's WARMING UP TO THE ICE AGE is widely considered an inappropriately-produced mess by Hiatt's fans, and, one suspects, by the man himself. However, like the album it most closely resembles, the previous year's GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD by Elvis Costello and the Attractions, WARMING UP is much more interesting than its reputation suggests. Yes, the Def Leppard touches on the opening "The Usual" are somewhat painful. But a countryish duet with Costello, "Living a Little, Laughing a Little," is among Hiatt's best vocal performances ever, and there are at least half a dozen excellent songs here, particularly the rueful "She Said the Same Things to Me."
