I was a bit over-critical in my initial thoughts on the Eagles latest offering, mainly because I had only listened to the album a couple of times, and after being so blown away in 2006 with Falling In Between I guess I was trying to expect the same high standards of Toto from other bands, which as you all know is virtually impossible! Anyway, after having the new Eagles album on repeat play for the last month I feel I can give a more informed review of it, with my ratings for each song:

CD 1 -
1. No More Walks In The Wood - 7/10 - Harmonies are absolute perfection, a very distinctive little track that grabs your attention and makes you think.
2. How Long - 10/10 - classic Eagles style music, very accessible, loved it first time I heard it, and love it even more now.
3. Busy Being Fabulous - 7/10 - Classic Eagles feel to it, very accessible, but very thoughtful too.
4. What Do I Do With My Heart - 4/10 - I'm not really into 'soppy' songs, especially not from such a musical band like the Eagles, though I do like Glen's ad-libs towards the end.
5. Guilty Of The Crime - 5/10 - a fun style song that really suits Joe Walsh, classic Joe guitar playing, but the song gets a bit repetitive after a while and doesn't hold my interest for long enough.
6. I Don't Want To Hear Anymore - 9/10 - A song written specially for the Eagles by Britain's much-loved Paul Carrack. Didn't think much of it first time I heard it, but it's really grown on me. Very melodic heartfelt song.
7. Waiting In The Weeds - 10/10 - Best song of the YEAR in my opinion. It's unique, really insightful, and the melody is enchanting. Even though it's almost 8mins long, by the time you get to the end you want it to keep going.
8. No More Cloudy Days - 6/10 - A nice song, great as background music or on a drive, but doesn't hold my interest enough to sit down and dedicate my full attention to it.
9. Fast Company - 4/10 - Not my taste, especially Don trying to sing in a Barry Gibb style falceto.
10. Do Something - 3/10 - So unimaginative and uninspiring, the lyrics must have been penned over a cup of coffee, by the time you get half way through the song you hope it ends soon but it doesn't.
11. You're Not Alone - 6/10. A nice song, again great background or driving music, but not to sit down and really devote listening time to.

CD1 Rating (based on each track's score) = 6.5 / 10 (this score would have been a lot higher if it wasn't for a couple of track's being particularly poor).

CD2:
1. Long Road Out Of Eden - 10/10 - Genius, unique, you get lost in the song, great for driving and equally great for critical listening.
2. I Dreamed There Was No War - 5/10 - Seems a little out of place, sounds like it should maybe be on a Mark Knopfler solo album. Nice enough melody, not outstanding.
3. Somebody - 8/10 - Great catchy tune, really holds your interest, makes you drive that extra bit faster down the freeway.
4. Fail Grasp On The Big Picture - 4/10 - Becomes repetitive, doesn't make me warm to Don when he preaches on his soapbox like that.
5. Last Good Time In Town - 7/10 - Fresh, smooth, really suits Joe Walsh's style.
6. I Love To Watch A Woman Dance - 3/10 - I regret wasting precious time trying to get into this song because I just don't think these types of songs should be included in a Band's album. Perhaps Glen should've kept this for his solo album, or kept it private?!
7. Business As Usual - 7/10 - New Age style, up with the times, works really well.
8. Center Of The Universe - 3/10 - Starts off really promising, I like the melody and the verse, but the lackluster chorus spoiled it for me.
9. It's Your World Now 4/10 - Nice enough background music, but too obvious and cliched for me.
10. Hole In The World - 7/10 - Unique little tune with great harmonies.

CD2 Rating (based on each track's score) = 6/10 (again this score would have been a lot higher if it wasn't for a couple of track's being particularly poor).

Overall album rating: 6.5/10
but I would still wholeheartedly recommend buying it, especially for 'How Long', 'Waiting In The Weeds' and 'Long Road Out Of Eden'.

Disclaimer: The above comments of course are just my 2 cents, and I don't intend any of the comments to be derogotary to any band members of the Eagles.