Listeners acquainted with the John Denver of Rocky Mountain High and Sunshine on My Shoulders may be surprised to discover a slightly more gritty folkster in some of these album cuts. Kris Kristofferson's Casey's Last Ride is delivered as a spare, ghostly lament, while She Won't Let Me Fly Away has a bluesy, urban feel. Readjustment Blues is a sobering account of the unwelcome treatment experienced by soldiers returning home from the Vietnam War, and is highlighted by Paul Griffin's haunting organ playing. However, Denver's trademark uplifting nature-oriented songs make up a good half of the tracks. The soaring The Eagle and the Hawk, in fact, is the centerpiece of the album. Though it's a less well-known work in his oeuvre, Aerie is worth seeking out to get a more complete picture of the artist's range.