Eagles

Greatest Hits Vol. 2

Great Stuff - But the original albums are better

Review Score:

(10/10)
Here is an interesting situation. The Eagles released their first greatest hits album after releasing four albums. They then release two more albums and then release a second greatest hits collection. Let me give you the end of this review. I like this collection. However, the two albums from which eight of the songs derive, "Hotel California" and "The Long Run", are better. Of the other two songs, "After the Thrill Is Gone" is from the 1975 release "One of These Nights". The other song is the wonderful "Seven Bridges Road", which only appears on 1980's "Eagles Live". I think the only reason I bought this CD was because of "Seven Bridges Road", otherwise owning the aforementioned albums covers the rest.

These songs show a change in musical styles, from the country rock of the first four albums to rock and pop/rock, likely a result of Joe Walsh' influence on Don Henley and Glen Frey. In the process The Eagles created one of the best story songs ever, "Hotel California", a surreal vision combining elements of the desert, the loss of innocence of all of us in the transition from the 60s to the 70s, and a longing for those things that never seem quite achievable.

The other songs on this collection range from very good to great. The Eagles hit a peak on "The Long Run" and "Hotel California" that was reflected in the sales of both albums, and the extensive list of singles released from both. While the early Eagles albums were influential in country-rock, the last two albums are what cemented their place in rock music.

As great as the music is, as I stated at the beginning, I find it difficult to recommend this CD as a must have. "The Long Run" and "Hotel California" albums are worth buying. Once you have those, there are only two songs you are missing from this CD. You have to decide whether owning "Seven Bridges Road" is worth the expense of buying this CD. I personally think that a new greatest hits collection should be released that includes "Seven Bridges Road". However, I do not get to make those choices. In the meantime, I decided this was the best way to get that particular song, which is one of my favorite Eagle songs. For the casual Eagles fan, if you do not plan to buy "The Long Run" and "Hotel California", then definitely buy this CD.

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