The Eagles have landed.

The California rock icons, who produced the best-selling album of all time in the '70s then splintered for over a decade, are back with a vengeance. The Eagles are releasing their first full album of new songs in 28 years, making their awards-show debut on this year's Country Music Association Awards, and distributing their music through their own label.

That burst of activity adds an upbeat coda to a high-flying career that seemed to sour and stall after their 1980 concert tour and last studio LP, "The Long Run." They wryly acknowledged old wounds by dubbing their 1994 reunion tour and album "Hell Freezes Over," the first of several concert laps devoted to the hits that made their first greatest hits compilation the all-time industry champ at 29 million copies.

The new album, "Long Road Out of Eden," resets the band's agenda with an ambitious double CD that confronts both personal and social issues, finding the surviving quartet -- founders Don Henley and Glenn Frey, guitarist Joe Walsh and bassist Timothy B. Schmit -- at the top of their game musically.

Hear the entire album: Disc 1| Disc 2

In their only Web interview, Henley, Frey and Schmit talked with veteran music industry journalist Melinda Newman on the Culver City, Calif., soundstage where they were rehearsing for their recent concert run opening the new Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

WATCH EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

'LONG ROAD' OUT OF IRAQ

Don Henley and Timothy Schmit reveal how the album's centerpiece began with 9-11 and the Iraq war

Watch interview

GETTING BACK IN THE GAME

The Eagles discuss how the current quartet decided to tackle a double-album, and how it stacks up with their classics

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NEW TUNES, NEW TECH

Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Timothy Schmit talk about how 'Long Road Out of Eden' mirrors changing technology and changing lifestyles

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THE WAL-MART CONNECTION

Don Henley reveals why the Eagles broke ranks with major labels, and how they reconcile their Wal-Mart deal with their politics

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CMA AND THE CONCERT TRAIL

The band talks about their CMA Awards performing debut, their gala L. A. gigs and tour plans

Watch interview

Look at pictures of Country Rock over the years

See photos of the Eagles