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.

If you are a casual Eagles fan then you would do well by purchasing this album and the Eagles first Greatest Hits album. The differences between the two are interesting. As everyone knows, the Eagles were more or less a country rock band on their early albums (up to One of These Nights) and their first Greatest Hits album reflects that. This album, however, is different. With the addition of Joe Walsh to the band and the switch away from a country-rock sound (for the most part, anyway) what we get here are equally good (arguably better) songs in a different vein. The songs for the most part are more "rock 'n' roll-esque" than were the songs on the first set. Absolute classics like Life In The Fast Lane, The Long Run, and Victim of Love are excellent examples of the Eagles harsher sound towards the latter part of their career. And of course, you get Hotel California, which is unarguably one of the greatest songs of all-time in anybody's book. However, there are also songs that are more of a throwback to their earlier albums. New Kid In Town, Heartache Tonight, I Can't Tell You Why, etc. After The Thrill Is Gone from One of These Nights is also included. So is the live cover of Steve Young's Seven Bridges Road and the closing album track from The Long Run, The Sad Cafe. All are good songs. This is a worthy purchase for the new Eagles fan, along with the first volume, and perhaps Hotel California.

However, all of that said, there are some negative things that need to be pointed out about this collection. First off, there are some great songs missing. Notably, Wasted Time (one of my favorite Eagles songs) and The Last Resort from Hotel California, and Those Shoes (a very underrated song) from The Long Run. Granted, these songs were not necessarily "hits", but they are missed. So if you want these tracks, you might be better off just getting the original albums instead. Hotel California is one of the greatest albums of all-time and belongs in everyone's collection, anyway. Also, there is nothing new here for the Eagles fan who already has all of the original albums. Thus, I will not recommend this album unceasingly (though granted it does contain a lot of great music), whether you should purchase it or not rather depends on your position.

I love this album, if they call it that still. I had it on vinyl, I had it on 8 track (LOL), I had it on cassette, then CD, and now MP3. I guess I like the Eagles.

My mom got this CD a couple years ago and it made me fall in love with the Eagles music. They are no doubt one of the best Southern Classic Rock groups in history. My favorite tracks on the album are: "Hotel California" to "I Can't Tell you Why." They can mix different styles in music well and the lyrics are great. This CD contains some of the best Pop Rock songs ever written in history. "Heartache Tonight" is my favorite one on this whole album which includes great Guitars and Lyrics and is fun to listen to in the car. "Sad Café" is undoubtably a masterpiece lyric-wise, being a metaphore for downfalls in one's life. The saxophone solo in it as just incredible. I was suprised on how many songs I recognized when I first heard this album...it's just awsome! If you enjoy classic rock then this CD is for you!

After the Eagles became "Walshified" (this guy's guitar lick ideas are just oh-so-boring to me), the quality fell down. Sure, praise is heaped upon Hotel California, and half of that album is pretty great. But the other stuff from Long Run and their later albums just falls flat.

Get Vol. 1 instead, then buy Hotel California.