Eagles - Long Road Out of Eden (2007)

Eagles - Long Road Out of Eden (2007)

Album Review — Long Road Out of Eden (2007) — Eagles

Long Road Out of Eden is the seventh studio album by the Eagles, released on October 30, 2007, through Lost Highway Records, marking the band’s first full-length studio album in 28 years since The Long Run (1979).

The album showcases the Eagles’ signature blend of rock, country, and folk, while addressing modern themes such as fame, faith, and social commentary. It also represents the final studio recording with Glenn Frey, making it a significant milestone in the band’s history.

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🎶 Tracklist

The album was released as a double album with 20 tracks:

Disc One

1. No More Cloudy Days – 4:12

2. How Long – 4:13

3. Busy Being Fabulous – 3:47

4. Guilty of the Crime – 3:50

5. Long Road Out of Eden – 6:33

6. What Do I Do with My Heart – 4:35

7. I Dreamed There Was No War – 5:28

8. I Don’t Want to Hear Any More – 4:40

9. Somebody – 3:32

10. Fast Company – 4:06

Disc Two

1. No More Walks in the Wood – 5:15

2. Last Good Time in Town – 4:39

3. Do Something – 4:00

4. How Long (Alternate Version) – 3:55

5. Business as Usual – 4:33

6. What Do I Do with My Heart (Alternate Version) – 4:12

7. I Don’t Want to Hear Any More (Alternate Version) – 4:38

8. Fast Company (Alternate Version) – 4:07

9. No More Cloudy Days (Alternate Version) – 4:15

10. Busy Being Fabulous (Alternate Version) – 3:50

Total length: ~100 minutes

Notable singles include “How Long”, “Busy Being Fabulous”, and the title track “Long Road Out of Eden”, which received strong radio play and charted internationally.

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🧑‍🎤 Album Credits

• Artist: Eagles

• Title: Long Road Out of Eden

• Released: October 30, 2007

• Label: Lost Highway Records

• Producers: Eagles, Bill Szymczyk

Band Members:

• Glenn Frey – vocals, guitar, keyboards

• Don Henley – vocals, drums

• Joe Walsh – vocals, guitar, keyboards

• Timothy B. Schmit – vocals, bass

• Don Felder – guitar, vocals

Additional Musicians:

• String and horn arrangements by David Campbell

• Additional session musicians provided keyboards, percussion, and background vocals

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🎸 Musical Style & Themes

Long Road Out of Eden combines:

• Classic Eagles rock & country-rock: Songs like Busy Being Fabulous and Somebody feature catchy choruses, layered guitars, and harmonious vocals.

• Social commentary: Tracks like Do Something and I Dreamed There Was No War tackle political and environmental themes.

• Reflective ballads: What Do I Do with My Heart and No More Cloudy Days show emotional maturity and introspection, highlighting Frey and Henley’s vocal strengths.

• Epic compositions: The title track blends rock, country, and folk into a cinematic, multi-sectioned journey, echoing the scope of The Long Run.

Overall, the album balances timeless Eagles harmonies with contemporary relevance, appealing to both old fans and new listeners.

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📈 Reception & Commercial Performance

• Long Road Out of Eden debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200, becoming the Eagles’ first album to top the chart since The Long Run.

• It was certified 7× Platinum by the RIAA, with over 7 million copies sold in the US, making it one of the best-selling albums of 2007.

• Critically, the album was praised for:

  • Its tight production and musicianship

  • Successful blend of old and new styles

  • Strong lyrical content addressing contemporary issues

Hit Singles:

• How Long – reached #1 on Adult Contemporary charts

• Busy Being Fabulous – charted well on rock radio

• Long Road Out of Eden – fan favorite and concert staple

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🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia

• First studio album in 28 years: This release marked a major comeback for the Eagles’ classic lineup.

• Double album format: The band deliberately released a two-disc collection, allowing for longer storytelling and diverse musical styles.

• Grammy recognition: The album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

• Glenn Frey’s last album: This is the final studio album to feature Glenn Frey before his death in 2016.

• Chart dominance: The album topped charts in over 10 countries, including the US, UK, and Australia, cementing the Eagles’ global appeal.

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💡 Did You Know?

• The album’s title, Long Road Out of Eden, symbolizes both the band’s return after a long hiatus and reflects on social and personal themes.

• Several tracks were written during the Eagles’ 2000s reunion tours, showing the band’s continued creative chemistry.

• The album’s release strategy included exclusive distribution through Wal-Mart and the Eagles’ website, making it one of the biggest retail-exclusive albums of its era.

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Conclusion

Long Road Out of Eden is a triumphant return for the Eagles, blending classic rock and country influences with modern themes and polished production. With its chart-topping hits, epic title track, and socially conscious lyrics, it reaffirms the Eagles’ status as one of America’s most enduring and versatile rock bands. It’s both a nostalgic celebration of their legacy and a fresh addition to their catalog, capturing the band at a mature, reflective, and creatively vibrant stage.

Eagles Full Discography

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