Hotel California

"I hate the fucking eagles, man."

Where California isn’t a setting, but rather an idea about feeling ugly and dark when everything around you is gorgeous and sunny. As we learned from another 1970’s song, it never rains in (southern) California. But man, it pours. We’re always going to fuck up a wet dream. Dreams of land, cocaine, the warm smell of colitas, relationships, cruising the freeway with a drug dealer named The Count, success. The album's theme is how inevitable it is that we’ll destroy everything that's beautiful. And it's the masterpiece from perhaps the most-hated, most-loved band of the past 50 years. This is the sound of a band clicking on all cylinders. A band that finally realized their strengths (their drummer being their best vocalist and songwriter, having now two rock guitar virtuosos in their lineup) and eliminated their weaknesses (Glenn Frey might have been the band’s “leader”, but his vocal skills were better suited to harmonize with Henley and Meisner). It’s Henley’s voice that dominates the album, but Frey, Joe Walsh, and Randy Meisner each get a lead vocal on standout songs. Don Felder, the lone band member who doesn’t get a lead vocal, makes his presence known on two killer songs in particular that he co-wrote: “Victim of Love”, a song he’ll go to his grave believing he was promised was his to sing lead on; and the title track, which wouldn’t be the classic rock staple it continues to be without his incredible guitar work. The guitar “duel” at the end between Felder and Walsh is so incendiary that the band insisted on keeping it unedited on the single, where it went all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Each member’s contribution on that song alone is essential, from Henley’s seething vocals to Meisner’s bassline. Frey especially shines on “New Kid in Town”, the vocal arrangements of which are among my favorites of any song. It’s a pretty song, where the band admits they’re hot shit right now, but they know there’s a slew of rising artists bubbling up on the scene ready to take their place (The Eagles worrying about when all the fun will be over certainly seems like the most Eagles thing ever). Bob Dylan said that Joe Walsh’s “Pretty Maids All in a Row” could be “one of the best songs ever”. I’m not one to judge Dylan’s taste, but I’m all in favor of anything that makes Joe Walsh feel good. But again, the vocal harmonies are nothing short of sensational. When they harmonize like this, I’ll take the Eagles over any band. I’ve always thought of “Try to Love Again” as Meisner’s sequel to “Take It to The Limit”. In my mind, the Eagles aren't the Eagles without Randy Meisner, an exceptional bass player with a high falsetto so breathtaking it eventually became too much for him to perform on a nightly basis (which fits right in with this album's theme now that I think about it). But this is really when Glenn Frey realized it’s best to get out of the way and just let Henley cook. Henley handles the lead vocals on 5 of the albums 9 songs, including the band’s best-known track. Henley's voice is perfect for emphasizing how anything that feels so good comes with a price on “Life in The Fast Lane”, and the album’s closer, “The Last Resort”. And it's on the heart-wrenching, underrated ballad “Wasted Time” where Henley firmly steps out from the drum kit and is allowed to just stand alone and wail. His vocals brim with soul and emotion in his attempt to reach out to a former lover and convince her to accept that it was all worth it, underscored by the quick instrumental reprise that opens Side Two of the album. There’s a reason why Don Henley’s solo career left Glenn Frey’s in the dust. Henley was not only a better songwriter, but a more soulful and interesting vocalist (just listen to Henley’s background vocals on Linda Ronstadt’s cover of “Blue Bayou” for further proof). This is one of my Desert Island Albums. Frankly, any album that an artist can play in its entirety live in front of sold-out crowds is essential. I own this album on practically every format possible, save for 8-Track, because I’m not a monster. The Eagles even got me to buy a remastered 40th Anniversary Expanded Edition, which included a live set from the band at the peak of their powers (listen to that version of the album on your preferred platform). If I could only listen to 10 albums from this list for the rest of my life, this is clearly one of the ten I'd choose.

Instructive listening for a Warren Zevon fan. I now understand how much of his 70's output was an Eagles piss-take. But that's just another instance of the anti-Eagles sentiment I've been surrounded by forever. From the Dude's antipathy in The Big Lebowski to Zevon's jokes to Elizabeth Nelson's article in The Ringer earlier this year (so good!), the message has been loud and frequent: This Is A Not Good Band. Yet always with the not-at-all-confusing rider: Except They Kind Of Are. Now I've taken the plunge, consider me still confused. I mean, they're exceptional players. Dependably harmonic and pretty much faultless in all things song construction. They rip through solos like a crisp lettuce leaf, even rhyme well every so often. And it all happens within a synthesised country-rock aesthetic so polished you could go blind looking at it. But you might also go dumb listening to it, because even though there's more than a little to enjoy (have you heard the title track, by the way--although what is that accent he's doing?!) the emotional girding is always big dick bathos. Whatever they have to say (mostly gripes about women and some laurel canyon mysticism mixed with LA grit) it's all couched in self-pity--none of it self-reflective or self-critical. Twas ever thus with dudes who love their instruments as extensions of their egos.

NOW That's What I Call Dad Rock

I fucking love the eagles, man.

Aside from a few half decent songs I’d always discounted the Eagles as boring, middle of the road, country-rock. On the evidence of this album I was probably right to do so. Title track drags the album up to 2 stars.

“Hotel California” by the Eagles (1976) “Hotel California” is a prime teaching example of what can make an “album” great. It delivers excellent performances of inspired songs by gifted artists, with state of the art production. All that is a given. But the temptation with this recording is to deal with it as a mere collection of songs, with ‘hits’ and ‘misses’, and to ignore the conceptual unity that holds it all together (even in the reprise of “Wasted Time” as you turn the LP over from side one to side two). Here’s a record with brilliantly brooding thematic cohesion. It powerfully declaims its main topic: the dark side of the American ‘paradise’—a darkness that nevertheless resolves into redemptive hope by the album’s end (but not without a well deserved prophetic dig at a misguided American version of pop Christianity). This is a sermon in sound. Lyrically, there are multiple levels of meaning in virtually every line. Don't let anyone tell you a given expression means ‘x’ or ‘y’ or ‘z’. It probably means all three and more (the song “Hotel California” is notorious for spawning countless hermeneutical ‘certainties’). These lyricists (primarily Henley, Frey, Walsh, and Meisner) were all intelligent enough to be aware of the referential overtones. Take, for example, the clause “She came from Providence", the opening line in the closing track “The Last Resort”. Songwriters Henley and Frey explicitly tell us in the next line “It’s the one in Rhode Island”, but it’s not just a meaningless reference to a random city. Do they really want us to ignore why Roger Williams (in 1636) named it “Providence“ in the first place? It was a testimony to the fact that God has mercifully provided what is good, true, and beautiful. Now this is a theological datum which, admittedly, got transmogrified in history into pseudo-pious sloganeering like “Manifest Destiny” and “Go west, young man!”. But in what other country could you get rich by calling that out? Despite America’s record of huge injustices and flaws, scores of millions have striven to get here, and still do, with no end in sight. Carly Simon was also right (in “Let the River Run”): “We, the great and small/Stand on a star/And blaze a trail of desire/Through the dark'ning dawn.” Contrast the flip side of this same coin as the Eagles deride the namers of ‘paradise’ who watch “the hazy sun, sinking in the sea.” The Eagles (Check the symbolism of the group’s name) are well aware of this tension, and have put it to good use in the pursuit of their music and their successful careers. And later in “The Last Resort” they ask “Who will provide the grand design?” We know intuitively. Patience and Providence are both rightly attributed to God who loves. The Eagles employ a variety of compositional styles, from the unique flamenco rock of the title track, to their signature country rock (“New Kid in Town”), to jazz rock (“Wasted Time”, beautifully symphonized in the reprise), power riff rock (“Life in the Fast Lane”), stadium rock (“Victim of Love”), with elements of blues rock, folk rock, and protest rock. But it all rocks. And it’s all harnessed in service of expressing the sadness, disappointment, fear, and disillusionment in the main theme. Vocally, this gang would be a choir director’s delight—and also his nightmare. With widely different timbres and projection styles, these five tenors pound their voices into a unified blend that is magical (“Try and Love Again”). Vocal solos consistently demonstrate the fruitful labors of singers who potently evoke within their limitations. Are they better than CSNY? On this album, yes. Listen to “Pretty Maids All in a Row” and tell me how one could put a more perfect choral texture behind the voice of Joe Walsh—Joe Walsh, folks! Instrumentally, the Eagles show stunning virtuosity, from innovative percussion arrangements (Henley) and bass lines (Meisner) to the splendid guitar work by three masters (Felder, Frey, and Walsh). And the guys in the control booth did their part, with skill application of effects. This is a near perfect collaborative product. If you haven’t yet heard this album when it comes time to die, you should apply for an extension. 5/5

having to listen to the whole album almost made me quit my 1001 albums project altogether

Classic. Many consider it overrated but in my opinion that's just because of how ubiquitous it is. Every song hits, and even though they're nothing groundbreaking or spectacular, you still feel them all the same.

Love it, have always loved it, will always love it.

I hate the fucking people who hate the fucking Eagles, man.

Fucking hate the Eagles

I don't think I've ever been more disappointed when seeing a new album pop up. How can a 43 minute album feel this long? 2/5

I hate the Eagles and everything they stand for. To quote Elizabeth Nelson's excellent article 'The Case Against The Eagles' : "It is tempting to connect the [Eagles'] dual animating impulses of aggrievement and ambition to a boomer generation that would, in 1994, usher in a new era of hard-right American politics." She quotes Rob Sheffield, who calls them "the official band of toxic boomer masculinity." Thus, their loathsome nature extends far beyond the banality of evil that are their records, and becomes a malevolent cultural force creeping into our daily lives. I don't trust anyone who tells me that they love the Eagles. It's not that I don't like their musical taste -- that's fine, like whatever you like -- but I don't trust their politics. The Eagle's career is the chart of how the Flower Generation ultimate morphed into MAGA. Their music is ubiquitous -- I know nearly all the songs on this album just from ambient music in supermarkets -- and inescapable. But ubiquity (or even 'quality') is not the same as virtue or worth. Musically, the Eagles are a pox on rock and roll, and a clear indicator of why we needed punk rock. I despise their technical proficiency, their smooth harmonies, their polished songwriting and slick production. I don't necessarily hate any of these particular facets of their music (they are all forgivable, in the right context), but combined in a monster of ambition, entitlement, sexism and hubris like this is just horrible, and the antithesis of good rock and roll. That said, the documentary 'The Story of The Eagles' is fascinating, just as a tale of how far some people are willing to go for the sake of ambition. Glenn Frey and Don Henley are two of the greatest villains of rock history, which makes for good viewing. But I did not mourn Glen Frey's death, and neither will I mourn when Don Henley finally shuffles off this mortal coil. So, how to rate this album? It's sold, like 30 million copies, and so I admit it is a classic album, and you should listen to it at least once. But, if you have ever been within earshot of recorded music, you almost certainly already have. It has some really big songs on it, well sung and played, and spit shined to a glossy radio sheen. Hotel California is a metaphor of itself; it is a song that we all checked in to and can never leave. Again, I really cannot stand the Eagles or anything they stand for. 1.5 stars, rounding down. My recommendation is don't listen to the album. Go read Elizabeth Nelson's article instead. You can find it here: (https://www.theringer.com/music/2021/5/5/22420083/the-eagles-glen-frey-don-henley-50-years)

You know that feeling you get when your mother has stuffed cake after cake down your fat gob and although you love the taste of the chocolate frosting and the sponge and the jam and the cream, you've just over indulged so much that you're violently sick all over your grandmother and her new pristine white air max trainers? Well, this album perfectly encapsulates everything about that feeling. Except the cake tastes like rotting fish guts.

The song Hotel California always felt a bit too earnest and pompous for me. Pretty boring.

Mellow rock started here. The warm smell of colitas, rising through the air. The Eagles have the highest selling ‘best of’ album because of their steady even flow of songs. They can also rock out, as evidenced by Victim of Love. Glenn Frye has a smooth voice and Joe Walsh can slam the guitar. In a world of British rock, the American Eagles stand out.

If the rest of album was as good as “Life In The Fast Lane” and “Hotel California” we’d have a 5 here but sadly the rest of it is just okay to me. Solid 3.

I fucking hate Hotel California. It’s a metaphor for dog shit.

Hotel California, Eagles:7/10 The title track is a certified classic for good reason. Iconic guitar riffs and solos, singalongable lyrics, plus danceable drums and fantastic production all make this song infinitely replay-able. “New Kid in Town” is very catchy with vocal harmonies that are like candy to the ears. “Life in the Fast Lane” starts out with one of the most iconic guitar riffs of all time, and doesn’t get any less good throughout the entire song. “Wasted Time” is a surprisingly sentimental soft rock balled that’s quite good, if not a little dramatic. “Wasted Time (2.0) is a beautiful stringed instrumental that serves as a nice interlude before the next half of the album. “Victim of Love” is a solid track, but maybe lacks a bit of the emotion or energy of some of the previous tracks. “Pretty Maids All in a Row” is a pleasant sounding piano balled where the Eagles once again show off their talent for harmonies. “Try and Love Again” isn’t anything too special, but still a solid song, albeit it might stretch a little longer then it needs too. “The Last Resort” is a fitting ending to the album, combining aspects of what I thought were the best parts about the album as a whole. Conclusion: Classic album, an absolute powerhouse for the entire first half, but maybe loses its momentum in the second section.

Meh... it hasn't aged well for me. So middle-of-the-road, so massaged, I found the second half to drag to the point that I was treating it like supermarket music... which, when I think about it, is where I mostly hear Eagles these days. Highlights are the title track and Life in the Fast Lane.

I hate this album.

Yes, love The Eagles. Although that's long past, they used to be my favorite band for a while and I even had a t-shirt with this album art. The guitar-work on this album is fantastic throughout and I consider the title-track nothing short of a masterpiece. My criticism would be that the album is a bit too ballad-heavy and that those ballads can tend to the kitschy side. I'd prefer less "Wasted Time" and more "Life in the Fast Lane". Or if their calmer songs would all be like "The Last Resort" (my second favorite track of the album) there would be absolutely nothing to complain about.

Such a great album. So many good songs. Been listening to this one since it came out (high school).

Obviously HC is a classic, and so are some other songs I didn’t know were Eagles’ songs.

Fantastic album. One of my favourites

Hotel California by The Eagles. This is some archetypical dad rock and I am unapologetically loving it. Similarly to a few of the albums that we have experienced so far, we kick off with a banger. The title track and an absolute classic, Hotel California slowly guides you into the LP with a gentle rock ballad including a soaring chorus punctuated with lovely little guitar licks and a classic rock guitar solo. I was expecting the second tune to be a big rocky blast but surprisingly out came the soft and easy listening 'New Kid in Town' which I actually really liked. As the 2nd tune came to a close, I started to wonder if this album really was going to be one for fathers to listen to whilst dropped their kids to school. It turns out that it was; even down to the name 'Life in the Fast Lane'. The Eagles 3rd track gives us a big guitar riff to kick us off and nod our heads to. However, it doesn't last long as 'Wasted Time' brings us back down with a very slow but lovely tune mostly orchestrated with piano, including an orchestral 'part 2' lasting a minute afterwards. 'Victim of Love' almost made me wet myself laughing as we blast straight back into some solid guitar riffs from the get-go and provides us with a power ballad feel. 'Pretty Maids...' and 'Try and Love...' were both less full-on rock with gentle but quality tunes to enjoy and smooth us into the end of the album. 'The Last Resort' (we see what you do did there) is a 7-minute creeper that slowly builds and builds as we enjoy the soft piano at first that builds up, drops again and then fills our ears with a loud orchestral finish. I was maybe expecting a couple more loud rocky numbers but I'm not disappointed with that. Thoroughly enjoyed throughout.

Eagles, at their edgiest, are just barely sharp enough to be interesting. When they soften that edge even slightly, the songs quickly become mind-numbingly boring. It's boomer soft-rock and I'm not interested in anything but the two hits ("Hotel California" and "Life in the Fast Lane"). The rest of the album is utterly forgettable. In the words of my 9-year-old daughter, "I didn't really like that. It's kind of boring. Like, The Beatles have slow songs but they're interesting. These slow songs weren't interesting. I'm glad it's over, dad."

This is quite the collection of truly boring soft rock ballads. The hits are okay, and the guitar playing is fine, but I find no pleasure in the majority of these songs. 2 stars.

I think a quote from the Dude best sums this up - "I had a rough night and I hate the fuckin' Eagles, man!"

The title track is very good which almost saves this from a 1 star. I really don't like anything else by the eagles. Will I listen to again: 0%

Eagles are the worst mix of boring and uninsightful. What is the point of this music?

Sheesh

45 minutes of my life I can never get back

They made me listen to it. At first it didn't hurt as much as I expected. But soon I got that gnawing feel... "It might feel good, but its bad for you." either literally or figurately. Like chewing gum, processed food, breakfast television, and Guantanamo Bay or infinite detention at Nauru, Christmas Island, of the Australian mainland (another kind of hotel your cant leave). Ok, its going too far to equate The Eagles with human rights violations. Special rendition. and Enhanced interrogation (kidnap and torture int he same of freedom, or revenge, or deterrence?). smooth, polished and sweet, and a bit flavourless and lacking fibre

The dude was right. The 1 star is for the title track, even though Gipsy Kings did it better.

0 ⭐️

This album asks the brave question "What if Steely Dan sucked ass?" Hotel California is my sleep paralysis demon.

I had to listen on YouTube because I refuse to stream this and let it fuck up my algorithm. Fucking dreadful album and band.

"i hate the fucking eagles"

Probably one of the best albums ever made. And I'm not even really an Eagles fan. It's just that good. Don Henley fucks.

Jokes aside, there isn’t a miss in this album and there are a couple of songs in the top 100 of all time.

Hotel California has one of the best guitar solos ever!

-Came and stayed for Hotel California the song, but this was very consistently good and catchy -The first half of the album specifically is so majestic -Favorites are Hotel California, Life In The Fast Lane, and Victim Of Love

Wait… the Eagles are epic?!?

A dark classic, the title track would have been enough to immortalize this record. It’s strange to think they achieved such massive success and recognition (along with a gang of dedicated haters) from a record which is essentially a meditation on the perils of excess, the spiritual ennui of the West Coast, the betrayal of love, and the desolation of fame. That’s a bit of a neat trick, all played and sung with a glossy LA sheen. It’s unclear if it’s a loose concept album or not—seems like we’re meant to think so. In any event, we begin at the enticing haunted house of “Hotel California,” full of cocaine paranoia, and we end on “The Last Resort,” a tale of suburban sameness that manages to cover additional sociopolitical critiques of colonialism, religious hypocrisy, and environmental destruction. Of course, this is the Eagles, so they have to make even their political commentary sound perfect, railing against conformity and excess in a bloated 7+ minutes in the most musically agreeable way, complete with string section. No wonder this record was such a giant hit—even when they’re trying to expose the tarnished promise of the American Dream, the band can’t help but spin FM gold.

Almost everyone knows of this band and the same would go for at least two of the tracks on this album. I honestly find it hard to believe anyone could actually dislike these songs. They might be a little too familiar and yes you’ve probably heard the hits way too much...but it’s surprising how much you can still enjoy them once you decide to sit and listen again. They are comforting & homely and no doubt raise various emotions for just about every person. Ultimately though, you know what you’re getting and it’s absolute in it’s promise...but isn’t that really what we all long for every now and then? 4 Stars!

Its fine I guess. It's the hotel art of rock music. Inoffensive and broadly appealing as possible and boring. Not something I'm going to listen to on purpose.

The Eagles will always be a standby for a few good jams and the rest of the album being listenable but bland

Solid shit. Spanish hotel California slaps tho lol

This lbum falls off QUICK. Hotel California, the single, what a masterpiece. Quite simply a masterclass in how to write a single that will still be heralded decades (and generations) after release. The rest of this album is pants though. How can you go from /that/ solo to what is ultimately an additional hour of filler. Just release the single bro! Were it not for the single this would easily be 1*

I enjoyed like one song but the rest was boring

2/5. I get it, it's capital G great and is the provenance of most rock ballads. But it just sounds like all other rock ballads after it which makes for an uninteresting listen.

Welcome to the Lowest Rated Albums section of my user summary.

I hate this album.

The ultimate dad rock album, there's not a single person born in the 70s or 80s who's dad did not own this on either vinyl or cassette. This was the soundtrack to road trips, always was, always will be... Opens up with 3 huge all time songs in "Hotel California", "New Kid In Town", and "Life In The Fast Lane" before settling into a deep groove like the slow sad vibe of "Wasted Time" and its reprise and the straight up rock and roll of "Victim of Love", the rest kind of follow what came before. A victim of its own monster success often leads to people turning on it, but this is an easy 5 star album.

Album 620 of 1001 Eagles - Hotel California (1976) Rating : 5 / 5 A long time favorite. I once wore Side 1 out but rarely gave Side 2 the time of day, especially the last 2 songs. Giving a closer listen, after so much time, I'm happy to say I was wrong to basically ignore Side 2, while in my teens. Awesome album.

I liked it a lot, the songs are beautiful and perfect for a walk. Although for my taste they are quite soft, I still think it is a great album and highly recommended.

Jugamo fuimo al frente, ganamo y a otra cosa

die gross dualität vo lugerdawg. ich lieb big lebowski und ich lieb d eagles. würkli ich check wiemer die buebe hasst aber sie sind SO GUET. so schnulzig aber ihri songs sind unglaublich guet komponiert sie singed alli unglaublch guet. ich mues s solo wieder lerne. ich ha e ziit lang bew kid in town zum ipenne glost wells so beruhigend isch ich LIEBS. boooah tuet das guet. jedes lick isch gnaaau am richtige ort und perfekt. de glenn frey het d idee für life in the fast lane gha wo de satz sin koks dealer gseit het im cabriolet irgendwo in kalifornie (californiaaa). nöd so cool aber au mega cool. hui wasted time hittet gad hüt (ich bin sit gester single) meeega hert. d reprise hani vergesse. wer het das arrangiert? ok de ed norman. victim of love goht jo huere blöd die zweit siite kenni viel weniger guet. aber recht geil und s slide solo geeeil. pretty maids all in a row isch en scheisstitel eagles hahaha. aber ich mag de joe walsh er singt eigentli guet.

I don't like the Eagles but this album is flawless. It's as if they put together their greatest hits and decided that a whole album should sound that good.

I was raised on the Eagles, so I guess they bring out the defensive side of me. It's perfectly valid to like or dislike them. I've decided, however, that hating them excessively is the most boring opinion in music. No, they're not cool. Yes, The Dude hates them. Yes, Henley and Frey are/were assholes. So are at least 2/3 of YOUR favorite artists. But I feel like the performative hate they receive comes from people who feel like they need to take the default "cool guy" position. What is so hateable about them? That they're really good at their instruments? That their harmonies are just "too clean"? I feel like any criticism of the actual music boils down to broad, purely subjective adjectives like "soulless". Well, Mr. Eagles Hater, I think you're a poseur. Quoting The Dude in your review does not make you The Dude. Anyway, this album rips. Not a weak track among them.

Stone cold classic with amazing songwriting and musicianship

Possibly the most front loaded album of all time? Hotel California, New Kid In Town (one of my favourite songs of all time), Life In The Fast Lane really sweep you off your feet on this album until they totally change gears with Wasted Time. After this, all the songs work together cohesively as an album but individually don't hold a candle to the opening 3 tracks. When I first listened to this album in its entirety last year, I was a bit let down with how the B side slows down compared to the first but with repeat listens I have greatly grown to appreciate it. Special mention to Pretty Maids All In A Row, Walsh kills it on vocals and lyrics. The instrumentation and vocals here are much better developed than the Eagles' debut album, each band member is allowed their time in the spotlight. I will never stop glazing New Kid In Town, Frey's vocals, the instrumentation, the lyrics, everything works together and fits the theme of the album. Though I'll never be able to relate to the feeling of being yesterday's big thing/hasbeen in the music industry, the feeling that's cultivated in this song of being over the hill and past your prime is something that really moves me. I don't think I need to say anything at all about the title track. Every song is a highlight. I've had a great day and I love the fuckin' Eagles, man.

It's one of those albums that is in popular culture because it is up there as a great piece of work. Musically interesting, good songs. I mean it's not going to start a revolution but everything has its place.

Fantastic album. The reprise for wasted time is beautiful.

I love this album so much, hotel california has been one of my favourite song ever for a long time and the rust of the album is all such a vibe! Definitely deserves a 5 star rating

Awfully good, measured and polished, for all the sublimated angst, anger and cynicism. The first four cuts are as good as any rock history. Title cut is a masterpiece for all the usual reasons and "New Kid in Town" might be the all-time soft-rock tune. One doesn't have to think that "Wasted Time" and "The Last Resort" are epic codas/fond farewells/curtain-droppers on a lifestyle to think they're great songs – richly sad and resonant. One can't help but think that the Byrds deserved this level of success. And there might be an issue that maybe they didn't have the best fans. Punk had no chance against anything executed this masterfully, this thoughtfully layered; even if it was the last breath of a dying civilization, the weather in Southern California might be the best revenge.

This is one of the greatest all time albums cover to cover!

4.5. Great slice of 70s California coke rock.

De helft van de Eagles-haters praten alleen een quote na volgens mij. Dit is oprecht wat mij betreft een van de beste albums ooit.

05/10/24 Surprisingly a good album.

I know this album well. I have listened to it all the way through several times. It's definitely an album that you can listen to all the way through from beginning to end.

Great

The best of the best

Life in the fast lane is a banger

Classic. One of my top 10 of all time.

(Insert The Big Lebowski line about hating the Eagles here) I know every note, every word and probably ever instrumentation on this album. I have been to three Eagles concerts and I am not a Boomer. I understand why people do not like them and I think this book does a good job of putting the two essential Eagles album in here. This album is just hit after hit though. A great encapsulation of the band's songwriting and production prowess. This has everything you need in an Eagles album on it. Hotel California: A strong, original guitar-led song with lyrics by Don Henley that are super-serious and have some allegory that have the audience could give a shit about. New Kid in Town: Probably one of my favorite Eagles songs. The harmonies and the way they are arranged is just perfect. This is Glenn Frey wanting to do country music but realizing Don Henley will get mad at him if he goes too far country. Life in the Fast Lane: Riffs that Don Felder and Joe Walsh tear up, along with a lecture about the life the Eagles led. Do as I say, not as I do. Wasted Time: A perfect (yes, perfect) soul song that may be my very favorite on this album. It's a journey and a real highlight for me. Wasted Time (reprise): A needless instrumental to justify paying for the orchestra on the previous song. Victim of Love: Another rocker that is very simple and has slightly misogynistic lyrics because Don Henley is above it all. Pretty Maids All in a Row: Joe Walsh's vocal introduction to the Eagles. I like the wistfulness of this one, which is something Joe Walsh is pretty good at when he sets his mind to it. Try and Love Again: Randy Meisner's only vocal on this album as Don Henley firmly grasped vocal control of the songs and choked the very life out of other vocalists' ideas they can sing a song, simply because Henley had an excellent voice. Fair, but unfair. The Last Resort: I mean, the lyrics are true! This is the true beginning of the Don Henley lectures about the environment and how capitalism can ruin everything that was good. This song is a slippery slope that brought us a variety of lecture-songs by Henley. So many of these songs are cheesy/played out, yet I still find myself connecting with them. I love this album and it absolutely deserves a spot in this book and it is okay if you hate the Eagles, man.

Wow! This was amazing. I really enjoyed this. It’s very calming and 100% my style. This band is great! Setting: driving and on a hammock in Eisenhower.

Great record

One of the best selling albums of all time. Concept album for a more modern America 1976. Deep themes, great songs throughout and highly iconic.

Yaaas.

Nice album. "Hotel California" song is a masterpiece.

Good

The definitive Eagles album!

What a great way to start my day. Pure joy!

Banger after banger. I really like the Eagles style. Soft rock, but still with some shredding guitar now and then. Good singing, good music, some variety. No complaints from me.

Always amazing

A timeless classic.

Absolutely love the Eagles. I own their greatest hits 1971-75 on vinyl too, absolute classic :)

One of my fav

Ahhhhhhh music perfection! ❤️❤️

The title track alone earns this album 4 stars, add a couple more iconic tracks and you get one of the most iconic albums of all time.

your uncle’s favorite album

Does anyone need a review for this album? It's one of the most famous classic albums of all time. In addition to the constantly played title track, Hotel California delivers one great song after another. It might be the best album of that soft country rock genre ever recorded. You don't need me to tell you how great this album is.

bunch of bangers on this one, hotel california was a classic, lot of great tracks i’ve never heard on this so was a great listen.

Great variety, every song is super solid, powerful lyrics

Favourite tracks: hotel California; new kid in town; life in the fast lane; last resort

Really a great album. So many hits. Not just hits, all-time great songs. They were true masters of the trade.

Fun album with a fantastic diversity of tracks