The Metal Files

This is definitely one of my “back in time” or “nostalgia” records.  I can remember my oldest brother bringing it home on 8-track (late ’79 or early ’80) and playing it in his POS ’76 Mustang.

Just seeing the cover takes me back to a time when things were so much easier.  We had just moved from the ‘burbs to a farm (which I was none too happy about) and I was about 10 years old.  Dad had just retired from the NAVY a year before after 20 years of service.  Everything was different.  Dad was home more (which was great) and my brothers (6 and 8 years older than me) were getting into trouble all the time.  What was a kid to do to escape a little?  Music!

For whatever reason over the last few days, the song I Can’t Tell You Why has been playing over and over in my head.  I love that song and it’s quite possibly one of my favorite songs of all time, definitely my favorite Eagles song.

In general I love this album but there are a few tracks that while I probably loved them as a kid, I can’t stand them now…Heartache Tonight, Those Shoes and The Greeks Don’t Want No Freaks.  When the album is playing I always skip those 3.

But then there’s the rest of the album…man, what an album.  The title track, In The City (although I prefer the original version from The Warriors soundtrack a little more), I Can’t Tell You Why, Disco Strangler, King of Hollywood(!!!), Teenage Jail and The Sad Cafe.  All of these are such wonderfully written and performed songs.  King of Hollywood definitely ranks highly for me all time as well.  So dark and brooding.  Love it.

While I’m not the biggest Eagles fan in the world, I certainly would say this is their best effort.