I have a nebulous list of Undeniable Musical Truths running around in my head. One of these days I'm going to have to sit down and write them all out. I mention this list of truths because The Eagles have decided to take on one of them on their first new album in 28 years.
Which truism have the Eagles dared to do battle against? Most double albums would have been better off as a single album. So, are The Eagles exceptions to the rule or victims of it? Let's take a closer look.
The best thing about this record is the vocals. The harmonies are spectacular. Not many rock bands can run four lead singers to the mic. Not many bands can blend their voices this well. The weaker songs on this collection still sound good because the harmonies hypnotize. The Eagles belong in the discussion with The Byrds, CSN&Y, and a small handful of others as the best harmonizing rock bands ever.
The other strength of this record is that these guys didn't spend the reported six years it took them to make this record trying to reinvent themselves. Everything you ever loved about The Eagles can be heard on Eden. Harmonies? We already covered that. Country-flavored rock goodness? Check. Gorgeous ballads? Nothing on the order of "Desperado," but those are here, too. The passage of time between The Long Road and Eden can be sensed, but not as much as you'd think. Eden is a record that – self-consciously, at times – plays to the band's strengths.
The downsides to the record? Let's start with the production. I noted the band resisted making changes to their sound as a strength, and I mean that. Unfortunately, it also bites this record in the ass a time or two. Some of the slower songs – particularly those sung by Glenn Frey and Timothy Schmit – sound like '80s Adult Contemporary songs recorded by Basia's producer or that clown Walter Afanasieff.
Article comments
1 - Pico
After listening to this a few more times, I'm pretty much in agreement with almost every one of your points but in the end give this record a slightly higher grade. Why? Because Henley's preaching doesn't bother me that much, I learned to expect that from him.
The Wal-Mart deal doesn't bother me, either, because the Eagles are still thumbing their noses to the big record companies. Wal-Mart at least promoted the record aggressively. If this arrangement is a success, than other retailers will follow suit and other major acts will finally lose their fear of leaving the bigs. But that topic is probably best left for another Ray Ellis-moderated discussion.
And the 6-8 filler tracks I simply consider "bonus" tracks to a CD priced like a single-discer.
Overall this is still a much better record than what I was expecting.
Nicely done analysis, Josh.
2 - Josh
Henley's preaching doesn't bother me... when he writes a song to go with it. He used to do that. He didn't this time when he chose to go topical. That's the difference to me this time.
As for promoting the album... it took them six years to make the thing and they're so proud of it that Henley's said it is the last one they'll ever do and that they don't know if they're going to tour behind it. All they did was show up on CMT. I wish they seemed more excited about it.
I do like the record, though, and don't feel I wasted my money. I listen to most of the first disc, pick my way through the second, and it works out just fine.
3 - Pico
Just to be clear, I'm referring to Wal-Mart's promotion of the album, not the Eagles.
4 - Josh
Sorry, yes, of course. I follow you now. Read too fast.
Wal-Mart, to me, is no worse than any number of other corporations out there. My biggest problem is that if you want to make a record condemning corporate America and junk consumerism, etc., a Wal-Mart exclusive comes off as a little hypocritical.
Still, there are some good songs on this record and it had a really big first week of sales. It beat Britney on the charts. These are all good things.
5 - Pico
Josh, have you seen Henley's recent interview with Billboard.com? He addresses the issue of his band signing up with such a visible symbol of big bad Corporate America:
click clack
Whether you buy into his argument or not, you should find it an interesting read. Frey's interview is in there, too.
6 - Josh
I had actually read it and I don't entirely disagree with him but I'm somewhat skeptical. You know, thanks for taking Wal-Mart's money so you can lecture them about the environment for us. That CEO probably wouldn't have listened to you had you not taken his millions of dollars. Is he serious?
My biggest beef though is the message you send when you blatantly wag your finger at everyone about the bigs on a record and cozy up to one of the supposed worst of the bigs.
7 - Pico
Are you saying he has a frail grasp on the big picture? ;&)
And where the hell is Saleski to provide the counterpoint?
8 - Josh
More importantly than all of that is there are some good songs on this record. Pico, which songs are you digging most at this point?
9 - Pico
Off the top of my head I like "What Do I Do With My Heart" despite the cheesy Basia keyboards, "I Love To Watch A Woman Dance" and Joe Walsh's "Last Good time In Time."
10 - handyguy
Will someone please correct the typo in the title of this piece? Egad!
11 - Mark Saleski
i don't care.
12 - JC Mosquito
Twenty eight years ago, for me, The Eagles were the personification of all things bloated, slick, corporate & sterile in rock music. In the time that has passed since, I've accepted the fact that they are part of the lexicon of popular music and are important artists across the genres of rock, country and pop. But I'm still ambivalent - is this album an exercise in nostalgia or a genuine effort of relevant artists to do what they do best? Is it more "Life in the Fast Lane" or "New Kid in Town?" And is there anything as great as Henley's co write with Mike Campbell (of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers), "Boys of Summer"?
Or does it even matter any more? Will this album appeal across generational lines or be strictly for greybeards? Or will all the hoopla be over in a couple of weeks? I dunno - I bought Dwight Yoakam's tribute to Buck Owens the other day and I asked myself many of the same questions.
Hmm..... sorry - lost my train of thought here. Maybe it's just that the whole nature of how we listen to music in the modern age is in such a state of flux that even a release like this just can't start an avalanche of interest anymore.
13 - Christopher Rose
Handyguy, got it, thanks!
14 - Eagle Elf
These guys are the greatest musicians ever. I think Don Henley is one of the best ever vocalist. All the songs he leads in are exceptional (and not just in this album). The remaining songs are good without be "special".
You got have rocks in your head not see something you like in this.
15 - eucalyptus
The CD is growing on me. There's 2 things I like a lot about it - Frey's singles ("What Do I Do With My Heart", "No More Cloudy Days") and Smith's guitar ("Long Road Out of Eden"). Frey is proving himself to be the real driving force of this band, while Smith seems to have adopted the role of unsung hero, as songwriter, harmonizer and lead guitarist. Henley's preaching, Schmidt's thin vocals and Walsh's obstreporous presence don't do much for me, but I do like the rest.
16 - JoePike
Just an observation...on the back cover of the new CD packaging, there is a difference in the track listing TIMES from the regular 2 disc set vs. the "deluxe edition". Sometimes it's just a few seconds and sometimes the times listed are significantly different.
I'm wondering if the songs are exactly the same between the 2 versions of the release (other than the 2 bonus tracks)...or does one of them just have misprints on the back cover? Anyone else notice this?
17 - Giu
I love these guys. For me they are the greatest musicians ever.
18 - Caio
I would love if I could see them alive!! Bu I'm in Brazil!
19 - GiulianoFC
Very nice this article. This music - Long Road Out of Eden - remembers me a great time of my live.