What ties the two sides of the record together is the strength of the band's musicianship, which burns brightly and powerfully on the hardest rockers, as well as on the sensitive ballads.

"[2] Music critic John Swenson named it "one of the most important rock records of the Seventies.

"[4] All tracks are written by Joe Walsh, except where notedOn the initial pressings of James Gang Rides Again, a 1:25 electric rendition of Maurice Ravel's "Boléro" is interpolated into the song "The Bomber."

Ravel's estate threatened suit against both the James Gang and ABC Records for its unauthorized use.

[5] As a result, the track was edited, and the "Boléro" section was removed on most subsequent pressings of the album.