"Some records with drum machines on them sound phony and plastic. It all depends on how you use the tools"

This quote by Don Henley speaks to the idea that the quality of a record is dependent on how the tools used to produce it are used. He is suggesting that drum makers can be used to develop a record that sounds "phony and plastic" if they are not used correctly. However, if the tools are utilized correctly, the record can sound excellent. This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the tools and how to utilize them in order to create a quality record. It likewise recommends that the tools themselves are not the issue, however rather how they are used. Henley's quote is a tip that the quality of a record is figured out by the ability of the person using the tools, not the tools themselves.