The Eagles' 1976 Greatest Hits sold hugely in the US

The New York Times said the Long Road Out of Eden was "world weary" and "clings onto old musical templates".

The Times called it "wildly dated", while The Guardian said the double album "propels musical smugness to previously inconceivable proportions".

Billboard said fans would "not be disappointed" with the new opus.

'Haven't changed a bit'

Reviewer Ray Waddell said the album, which is being distributed in the US via Wal-Mart stores, contained "new and powerful songs".

David Fricke, writing for Rolling Stone, said the title track "epitomises everything that is familiar, surprising, overstretched and, in many ways, right about the entire set".

He concluded that buying the album online from the band's website was worth $11.88 (�5.77) "for the title song alone" and "a bargain even with the misfires".

The Christian Science Monitor newspaper said the album, which is said to have taken six years to make, was similar to previous material.

They opened their review with: "Good news: The Eagles haven't changed a bit. Bad news: The Eagles haven't changed a bit."

The band's new album deals with subjects including the war in Iraq, American consumerism and the death of journalism.

They are due to perform a private gig at London's O2 Arena on 31 October.