Review
"The Long Run" by the Eagles is like a notorious rebel marching into the town of 1979—a cloak of complexity and pivotal shifts in every note. Gone were founding fires, as bassist Timothy B. Schmit replaced Randy Meisner, bringing his own vibe to the final line-up before Don Felder’s unforgettable exit. The creation wasn’t a walk in a California park either; it was a grueling marathon stretched over 18 months across five studios. Initially dreamed of as a double album, the seeds of creativity dried up under the desert sun of exhaustion post their iconic “Hotel California” exploits.
Now, let’s talk sounds. The mix of fiery rock stands side-by-side with pensive ballads and the oddball eccentricities, with tracks like "Heartache Tonight" fearlessly bagging a Grammy. The saccharine and unshakeable "I Can't Tell You Why," thrives alongside the resilient anthem "The Long Run," battling whispers of the Eagles being relics amidst disco and punk storms. You can get a taste of their bite with "The Disco Strangler," a defiant middle finger to the dominant disco daze, whilst "The Sad Café" reminisces in the haze of Hollywood nights. Jolted with emotion, "In the City" was borrowed from Joe Walsh's movie pursuits, and "The Greeks Don’t Want No Freaks," adds a cheeky nod to vintage ‘frat rock.’ Though reactions might have been blended with spicy praise and cautious critiques, commercially, the album soared like an eagle, staking their claim as titans of rock. - Izzy
