The return of Henley and company offers some nice hits, as well as some misses.

This is it: The moment EVERY fan of The Eagles has been waiting for since I was in diapers:

"The Long Road Out Of Eden"- The Eagles first studio album in 28 years!!!!!

To say that the latest effort by America's favorite super group of the 1970's is slow in arrival is a vast understatement. Since The Eagles' last album (not including live albums and various greatest hits packages) 1979's "The Long Run", our country has endured four presidents, an oil crisis (or two...), and a countless number of musical trends that bands few and far between have been able to survive let alone still sound relevant in the ever-shifting trend known as popular music. That is where our heroes sometimes run into trouble on "Eden". Throughout the album, there are songs that can make you close your eyes and take you back to 1975. Unfortunately, there are also the songs that make you think you are stuck in 1985.

The album opens strongly with "No More Walks In the Woods" (think "Seven Bridges Road," with a slower and darker tone), and "How Long", a country rock track sung by Glenn Frey (with occasional vocals from Don Henley) much reminiscent of "Take It Easy." Within seconds of the song's opening, even the most casual listener of The Eagles can understand why the song was chosen as the album's lead single. The previously released "No More Cloudy Days" is finally made available on CD, as opposed to hearing the live version on the radio. "Days" and "What Do I Do With My Heart" are Frey's best moments on "Eden." Busy Being Fabulous" is a strong mid-tempo rocker featuring Don Henley and an ode to lost love. "Fabulous," "Waiting In the Weeds," and the album's title track (The Eagles "Hotel California" of sorts for the 2000's) are the high points for the singer/songwriter/drummer/activist on "Eden." Sadly, this track, coupled by the beautiful instrumental "I Dreamed There Was No War" will unlikely ever make radio play due to its excessive song time of 10:15.

The underused and greatly underrated Joe Walsh once again delivers two steady rockers with "Guilty Of The Crime" and the Steely Dan sounding "Last Time In A Good Town" (the latter being the strongest of the two). Walsh had only previously taken lead vocal duties in two Eagles songs ("Pretty Maids All In A Row" and "In The City"). However, he makes his presence known by delivering a hard rock edge that helps to fill the void missing after the departure of long time guitar virtuoso Don Felder while maintaining his sense of humor that these days even has the always serious Henley drawing a rare smile.

Although the previous songs mentioned are "Long Road's" strong points , other tracks such as "Fast Company," "Frail Grasp On the Big Picture," "Business As Usual", and "Center Of The Universe" sound more like leftover tracks from Henley's "Inside Job" in 2000, his last solo effort. Also disappointing are the two songs sung by bassist Timothy B. Schmidt, "I Don't Want To Hear Anymore" (penned by former Squeeze front man Paul Carrack), and "Do Something." While Schmidt has previously shined on such material as "I Can't Tell You Why" and even "Love Will Keep Us Alive" (also penned by Carrack), the material here just misses the boat and is way too sappy (yes, EVEN for an Eagles ballad). That being said, Frey's "I Love to Watch A Woman Dance" can be placed in equal company as well. "Somebody", "You Are Not Alone" and the album closer, the "Tequilla Sunrise"-esque "It's Your World Now" are simply album filler.

Truth be told, "The Long Road Out Of Eden" would probably have been better suited as a ten or eleven track album. It is quite possible that the Eagles were making up for lost time, yet Henley has even gone on record stating that there were some issues the band was in disagreement with up until the very end of recording (possibly alluding to an excess of material). When all is said and done, sometimes it's quality, NOT quality that prevails. Also intriguing is how and why some of the album's tracks are entirely penned by such songwriters as the aforementioned Souther and Carrack, Francis John Miller, Jerry Lynn Williams, Jack Tempchin, John Brannen and Larry John McNally. One would almost think from 2001-2007 (the estimated time it took to record the album), that two of the better songwriters in recent memory (Frey and Henley) would have some material better suited for "Long Road." Although "Long Road Out Of Eden" will almost surely find a home on XM radio, it will also be interesting to see what radio stations will be receptive to playing some of these songs due to the album's meandering identity .

While probably not one of their all time greats ("Long Road" is more on par with "On The Border" than "One Of These Nights"), the album's stronger songs compensate for its shortcomings with the bands flawless harmonies, catchy guitar licks and classic production. And for the price of a double album for just $11.88, it is definately worth buying in addition to being a great bargain as well.

Hey why not? It's a new Eagles CD! You need it to complete your collection anyway. Besides, you don't even want to think about how long it's going to take for their NEXT release!!! Now....if only the guys could let me get these songs on my MySpace profile..............................



3 out of 5 stars