EAGLES (180g)

The Eagles least commercially successful record still retains qualities that make it one of their best. Building on the harmony-heavy folk-rock sound of the Byrds and Crosby Stills & Nash and the edgier country-rock of the Flying Burrito Brothers the Eagles brought to the recipe a penchant for radio-friendly hooks and a lush production bolstered by superb musicianship. These qualities can be heard here on some of the band s most memorable early hits. Their classic reading of Jackson Browne and Glen Frey s Take It Easy for example with its picking crying guitars breezy tempo and gorgeous high-flown harmonies is a case study in California country-rock with a pop twist. Don Henley s slinky eerie Witchy Woman is another highlight as is the languid lovely Peaceful Easy Feeling (Both tracks appeared on THEIR GREATEST HITS 1971-1975 along with Take It Easy ). But there are other gems tucked away here too like the Bernie Leadon/Gene Clark-penned Train Leaves Here This Morning. EAGLES is a varied smartly composed and totally pleasurable debut; it defined the sound of one of the 1970s most popular bands.