Ok so this was going to be longer but something is going on with the website and it reloaded on me and deleted everything I had already written... uhh.... :
The Eagles are back! Their long anticipated new dual disk album "Long Road Out of Eden" has been a smash hit around the world! In the US they have exclusive distro through Wal-Mart and it's sister brand Sam's Club and it has still gone platinum 7 times! Its gone platinum in a number of other country's as well including Australia, Sweden, and the UK.
The album is very diverse much like their other albums have been. Throughout the album are elements of Rock, Country, R&B, and Latin music. All band members, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy Schmit sing lead vocals in this album. Frey and Henley dominate lead vocals like much of their past works. The album has the amazingly well crafted harmonies they are known for. The intro track "No More Walks in the Wood", is a vocal track made up purely of these great harmonies.
The album has experienced two hit singles, "How Long" and "Busy Being Fabulous". Both of which have that signature Eagles sound, Country Rock! "How Long" is an up tempo song about heart break. "Busy Being Fabulous" is a mid tempo song also about heart break. They have been on rotation around the country on mostly Country music stations.
Bassist Timothy Schmit sings on both "I Don't Want To Hear Any More" and "Do Something" both of which are incredible R&B songs about, what else, heart break! Schmit's voice is still as clean and solid as ever, if not better! He has an amazingly clean range to work with making these songs so soothing to listen to. Although "I Don't Want To Hear Any More" is almost purely R&B, "Do Something" has a lot of Country influence. Both very lovely songs.
Guitarist Joe Walsh sings lead vocals on two tracks, "Guilty of the Crime" and "Last Good Time in Town". I won't lie, I've never been too big a fan of Walsh's vocals. They always seemed a little to ear piercing to me but thats besides the point. Walsh sings on two great songs that are very well written. "Guilty of the Crime" is very much so a pure rock song. "Last Good Time in Town" is very Latin influenced and would make anyone want to get up and dance! Well anyone except me, because I don't dance! But I'd love to learn the song and play it! That counts right?!?!
Drummer and lead vocalist Don Henleys voice is now showing his age a bit, but NOT to the point where it has ruined his voice. Henley has always had a raspy yet enjoyable voice and that has not changed. He still sings his heart out and has probably the most impressive range out of the other guys. Songs where Henley stand out include "How Long", "Busy Being Fabulous", "Long Road Out of Eden", and "Frail Grasp on the Big Picture".
Guitarist and lead singer Glenn Frey, my favorite Eagle... what can be said about this man other than WOW. His voice has gotten even better with age. Frey has progressed as a singer album to album and that has not changed this time around. Stand out songs sung my this amazing singer and song writer include "How Long", "What Do I Do with My Heart", "Somebody", and the Latin inspired "It's Your World Now".
Title track "Long Road Out of Eden" is very avant garde song at different times throughout. There are a lot of eastern melodies that sound eery and beautiful at the same time. Don Henley sing this song very well in a sort of broken down sounding voice that complements the song as a whole. This is probably the most different sounding song they have ever written.
Over all, the Eagles are still as powerful as they've always been. They kept their old sound while including new elements. They've always written melodies that stood the test of time and they still do. The lyrics are great and well written as they've always been. It's rare when you have a music artist or group that can write music that does just that, stand the test of time. Most modern music loses relevance when times change. Artists like the Eagles, John Mayer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc. are rare and refreshing. It's timeless music that makes truly good music and thats exactly what they are. If you haven't picked this album up yet, do yourself a favor and go get it!
you can find more about me @ www.myspace.com/gabe101
Musician, music major, college student, realist, Left-Libertarian, political activist, social activist, anti-imperialist, anti-fascist, anti-globalist, and ever evolving.
