The long-awaited 7th Eagles studio album 'Long Road Out Of Eden' is stunning. It has been 28 years since their last album 'The Long Run'. 'Long Road' officially breaks one of the longest musical droughts in history.
Of course, we have been teased with occasional new music in that time. There were four studio tracks on 'Hell Freezes Over', 'Hole In The World' was new for a greatest hits and two new songs surfaced on the Farewell 1 tour.'Long Road Out of Eden' has been years in the making. They were talking about it in Australia on the Farewell 1 tour.
Let's take you track by track through the album.
"No More Walks In The Wood' - The Eagles re-establish why they were so great with this harmony-driven opener showcasing the combined vocals of Henley, Frey, Schmit and Walsh
'How Long' - the album prequel is a '70s J.D. Souther song that the Eagles used to perform live in that era. This is a country rocker with Frey and Henley swapping lead vocals. It will take you back to their classic 'Already Gone'.
'Busy Being Fabulous' - This is vintage Don Henley and possibility one of the greatest songs he has ever written. A brilliant wordplay and gently rocking theme will establish this one as an Eagles classic to come.
'What Do I Do With My Heart' - Not to be outdone, Glenn Frey has also come up with an Eagles classic. This is the other side of the coin to 'Busy Being Fabulous'. These two songs show the sum of Henley and Frey is always bigger than the individual parts. This romantic ballad is going to be one of those songs that will be covered by many artists in years to come.
'Guilty Of The Crime' - And there here comes Joe on vocals. This is loose, bluesy Joe Walsh with a bit of honky tonk to boot. The song is an old Frankie Miller tune.
'I Don't Want To Hear Anymore' - Another cover, this one is from Paul Carrack and showcases Timothy B. Schmit. After setting up the record with the harmonies followed by the hit, 'Long Road Out Of Eden' immediately proves the individual strengths of this band by spotlighting the four members in succession.
'Waiting For The Weeds' - Don wrote this one with guitarist Steuart Smith. Henley's lyrics are poetry on this album. Maybe he is giving us a hint as to why it has taken so long for a new Eagles album. "I've been waiting on the weeds/waiting for my time to come around again".
'No More Cloudy Days' - This one debuted on the Australian tour and the live version previously released on the Farewell 1 DVD. It's a midtempo, laidback, breezy Glenn Frey song. Since the Farewell 1 tour, the song has developed into a much sturdier Eagles track than the one on the live DVD.
'Fast Company' - Eagles R&B? This one is different. As soon as he opens his mouth, Henley's falsetto tips you off that the Eagles were up for a left turn and this is the one.
'Do Something' - The second of the songs to showcase Timothy B. Schmit. Timothy wrote this one with Don and Steuart. Timothy has a unique multi-range vocal which broadens the Eagles sound. Henley compliments Timothy's pieces with his harsher sound. This is another fine Eagles moment.
'You Are Not Alone' - The softer side of Glenn Frey surfaces again. The short 2 minute 24 second piece closes disc one.
'Long Road Out Of Eden' - For me, this is the centrepiece of the album. The Henley epic clocks in at just over 10 minutes. Frey and Schmit contributed to the song. The guitar solo from Smith is mindblowing. This track is without a doubt one of the greatest Eagles song ever written.
'I Dreamed There Was No War'- A Glenn instrumental. The title says it all and gives you something to think about. This short interlude gives us time to reflect on the epic we have just heard before the next track sets up the rock-based trilogy to follow.
'Somebody' - A Glenn vocal rocker written by Frey's solo songwriting partner Jack Tempchin along with John Brannen. Frey's 'Long Road' songs up until this one have been softer, romantic ballads. Here he gets to rock out.
'Frail Grasp On The Big Picture' - Don's angry funk/rocker. Henley can put anger into words and is spot on describing the lethargic world we live in in the 21st century. 'Good ol' boys down at the bar/Peanuts and politics/they think they know it all/they don't know much of nothing/Even if one of 'em was to read a newspaper, cover to cover/That ain't what's going on/journalism dead and gone". How true!
'Last Good Time In Town' - Joe on vocals. He wrote the song with J.D. Souther (How Long). Joe has a rock and roll voice. Even when he lays back, he still rocks. The melody is mid paced. Lyrically it reminds me of 'Life's Been Good'. 'Last Good Time In Town' is another insight into the life of Joe Walsh. "Lately I've been staying at home/closin' the curtains/play jazz on trombone". Yes, life has been good for Joe.
'I Love To Watch A Woman Dance' - Glenn is channelling Paul McCartney here. This one was written by Larry John McNally. For an Eagles album, this has more covers than any other record but the band has chosen well and they have picked songs that without us knowing, you would think were their's anyway.
'Business As Usual' - A Henley rocker. Lyrically, this is part 2 of 'Frail Grasp'. "Look at the weather/look at the news/look at the people in denial" he sings before slamming Bush with "We've got the prettiest White House that money can buy/sitting up there on that Beltway bubble". It's business as usual, don't you get in the way!
'Center Of The Universe' - Another Henley vocal. This one has another slightly Beatles-eque melody and a Crosby Stills and Nash-like harmony. Frey and Smith contributed to this haunting ballad.
'It's Your World Now' - And in closing, Eagles go Spanish. Glenn Frey sings this one. Watch Linda Ronstadt jump on this one for a future record. Frey wrote this one with his solo buddy Tempchin.
So, after 28 years, is this worth it? YES!
