Eagles is anchored by one of the band's signature songs, "Take It Easy," cowritten with Jackson Browne. It defines their sound: Breezy tunes outfitted with golden harmonies about rambling and womanizing in the posthippie hangover days. 

 The Eagles strain to turn Desperado into a concept album. The album hints at the darkmess Eagles darkness that would imbue much of the band's later work, presenting their Old West outlaw conceits as a series of dirges. 

 On the Border rocks harder, bolstered by the addition of a new producer (Bill Szymczyk) and a guitarist (Don Felder) whose fills and solos are like miniature songs in themselves. 

 One of These Nights is the band's most musically adventurous outing yet, flirting with disco on the title song, a waltz on "Take It to the Limit," and bluegrass psychedelia on Leadon's "Journey of the Sorcerer." 

 Hotel California is widely regarded as the band's masterpiece, and as a snapshot of Seventies decadence and jadedness it'll do nicely: It's resplendent pop music about a spiritually bankrupt age. 

 A quintessential singles band, the Eagles are best represented by their hits collections. Their Greatest Hits 1971–1975 focuses on the country-tinged early years.  

 Walsh's presence also gives The Long Run a rougher edge, while bassist Timothy B. Schmit's "I Can't Tell You Why" just may be the mellowest gold in the Eagles' canon. But the album also marks the beginning of the end. 

 A quintessential singles band, the Eagles are best represented by their hits collections; Vol. 2 nails the more varied and adventurous approach of the late Seventies. 

 Hell Freezes Over includes 11 songs from an MTV Unplugged performance.  

 A quintessential singles band, the Eagles are best represented by their hits collections; the two-disc The Very Best of the Eagles provides the most comprehensive career overview.  

 Having booted guitarist Don Felder in 2001, the remaining four Eagles proceeded to spend nearly six years grinding out the double-CD Long Road Out of Eden. It's an incredible simulation of their Seventies prime, except without memorable songs.