I thought I would try to put together some of my thoughts from when the album came out and augment them with things that have changed. I'm gonna segment this because there's so much to say!
I still remember that excitement beyond belief when I held the album in my hands... the one that I thought would never happen, the one I was afraid to hope for. Even after hearing it on preview, there was just something about having it in my possession that made it REAL. The Eagles are so amazing for putting out new music after all this time when so many of their peers rest on their laurels.
THE EAGLES ROCK.
No More Walks in the Wood - I love the beautiful harmonies that this piece is obviously designed to feature. The individual voices come through loud and clear, each adding its own texture. Melodically, it's not very interesting, but the melody isn't what's important here, it's the vocal. The reason the melody isn't my favorite is that it reminds me of some of the doxology-type songs we would sing in church, where we would try to make Bible verses that weren't intended to be sung into songs and it got a bit awkward with the melody.Ideally, the melody would have a more satisfying structure that sounds more cohesive and less meandering. For an example of the ideal, see "Seven Bridges Road." That has a terrific melody that doesn't detract from the vocals in any way.
How Long - So much fun! This one makes me smile every time I hear it, despite the unpleasant opening image of a dissected bluebird.
This song has always been great, and the guys do it justice now just as they did over 30 years ago. It seems so "right"!
Busy Being Fabulous So, so catchy. I love it. It gets stuck in your head, and ever since, I've sometimes used the phrase as a joke - "I wonder if Stevie Nicks is busy being fabulous tonight?" lol I think they were right to choose this as the second single. It's got that "hook" that even catches the casual listener. This also has a bit of a country flavor to it. It's got a pleasant melody and the "uh-huh" is a nice touch.
What Do I Do With My Heart My favorite on the album, right up there with Waiting in the Weeds! Magnificent vocals, strong melody, effective song structure. Glenn nails that love-lorn vocal, rich yet vulnerable. Bringing Don in at the end for that back-and-forth just takes it to the next level and emphasizes it's an Eagles song. The bridge is unexpectedly different, and it's terrific. The power of Glenn's vocal from the bridge to the end is what really sells it for me, though. He make you feel it. That's what has always drawn me to his music, and he's done it again here.
More later!