The mid to late 1970s was an interesting era for music. Whilst Punk was gaining momentum, the mainstream of music was distorted in what it offered. Disco was about to be unleashed and the dinosaurs of progressive rock were still floating around. It was a rather bad time for the representation of real music within the music industry by the time 1976 came around. This release in that year, however, is a gold standard classic. Ironically, it came to represent virtually everything Punk eventually musically loathed: perfect harmonies; structured guitar parts and glossy production. The Eagles were very much a supergroup as well, which Punk detested the idea of. This is the first album by the group to feature awesome guitarist Joe Walsh on board, alongside Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Randy Meisner and Don Felder, a real bunch of talented musicians in general in a sort of supergroup. It is also an era-defining record and the best album that the Eagles ever made in retrospect. This a real gem of an album so let’s take a listen to the music and we shall hear where it takes us.

Hotel California is the title track that opens the album. It begins with some sweet and excellent 12-string acoustic guitar, which sounds really great. A very pretty introduction and a fantastic listen from the start of it all. Additional guitars and hi-hats enter to accompany the main melody. Soon enough, drums enter and a quirky pseudo-Reggae tune begins here. Don Henley takes the lead vocal on this amazing song, and the music paints a picture of beauty and imagery that is fantastic. A really good tune. When the chorus arrives, one will never forget hearing it. With lyrics about a hotel gone astray, this is matched by clean, pristine and beautiful music throughout. Detailing an Orwellian sort of scenario, this is a really deep and dark tale of cynical observation. This details such a strange scenario with awesome guitars and playing throughout. An awesome tune to listen to, with a great plot twist throughout. There is a lyrical twist throughout, and this music reaches a fantastic climax. This is followed by a really excellent Fender Telecaster-styled guitar solo by Joe Walsh. A great listen, it is clearly easy to hear why this is a radio staple to this day. This is great music to listen to. The guitar solo has some fantastic usage of pinch harmonics and other subtle guitar work tricks that are really awesome. A fantastic song from start to finish. A must for any Rock Music fan, to this very day. It fades out nicely at the end.

New Kid In Town is the follow-up song which begins with an organ and strummed acoustic guitar with some clean electric guitar licks to boot. This story eventually evolves into song about a newcomer to a small country town. A very unusual listening experience, but the singing by Glenn Frey and the musicianship is fantastic. This is a strange listen that has a fresh, unique and memorable message lyrically and musically. The harmonies and singing are really fantastic in this song, and the guitar solo is very nicely played as well. This also has some small village style message present as well. A good song about how familiarity breeds contempt, within the context of a good Rock song. Again, this song is literally fantastic to listen to. A great listen with sunshine-styled harmonies, singing and playing that sounds really great. This is a great five-minute-long song to remember, and it further cements the legendary status of this album. Fantastic and brilliant from start to finish. Legendary music.

Life In The Fast Lane begins with a fantastic guitar riff and launches into an equally fantastic and upbeat-sounding song that is a real gem to listen to throughout. The multitracked guitars and Don Henley’s musicianship are both really awesome, along with some awesome rhythm sections to match. This is a very catchy and awesomely listenable about being in a fast-paced lifestyle, both literally and metaphorically. A really awesome tune about the wild life of Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. This is a brilliant tune, and it still has a wonderful and upbeat power to this day. The guitar solo present on slide guitar is very brilliant. This is followed by another bunch of brilliant guitar riffs and melodies, before launching into the eventual disaster to unfold. A really great listen, and a warning to those who pursue a fast-paced lifestyle and who refuse to pay attention to a more laidback style of thinking. This ends with some fantastic guitar solos, a true winner of a song. Worth every second of listening.

Wasted Time begins with some moody piano and launches into a sweet ballad that neatly follows the previous song very nicely. This adds to the concept of this album and is about death and grieving. Nonetheless, a killer tune to listen to. Don Henley’s vocals on this tune are fantastic, along with the symphonic music to match it. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic, even underrated musical listen. A great song with some delicious and rich production, it really does sound like a million dollars, particularly with the guitars and string sections throughout. This song is one of the standout moments from this album, and it is a lovely tune overall. A really great song to listen to. Period. The Eagles give us their all for this lovely and unique album and song. If you need a song to hear upon the passing of a loved one, then this is it. A really great piece of music, this sounds sad but catchy. A great piece of music from this album, definitely worth your ears. Superb.

Wasted Time (Reprise) is a bit of an oddity on this album, especially given the previous track was the main song. It is a one-and-a-half-minute string section playing the main melodies from the previous song. Still, it does sound very nice and sweet in general. A really great tune to listen to, there are some cool violins and melodies being played here. An excellent listen, once again. Really great to hear.

Victim Of Love begins with some clean and pristine Fender Telecaster-styled guitar parts, which sound sweet and amazing throughout. This quickly launches into a groovy and rocking tune about a woman who is a bit of a lady who sleeps around. Nonetheless, the music is fantastic and the chorus itself is very anthemic to listen to. Overall, an absolute winner of a tune that still sounds amazing to this very day. A really awesome and catchy tune from start to finish, this is very much a song about being in love with said lady who is special to a guy. The music and playing are absolutely professional, complete with a joyous slide guitar solo in the second half of this song. A sweet, passionate and catchy tune from start to finish. Definitely worth your ears and time, this is a special sort of song to listen to, in a good way of course. Great to hear.

Pretty Maids All In A Row begins with a slow and gentle fade-in of piano playing, which is really sweet sounding. This sounds very atmospheric and gentle as a result. Some acoustic guitars enter, followed by some precise drumming. A really lovely ballad then emerges with Joe Walsh singing very well through it all. A magical and pretty piece of music that is also matched by substance. There are soothing backing vocals, slide guitar and other instrumentation to make this song come alive. Nonetheless, this is a real winner of a song that sounds pretty, lovely and sweet. In any case, the songs on this album are absolutely memorable and fantastic to hear. A gem of a song, the extended outro has some gorgeous harmonies and wraps up sweetly with a long fade out. Very good.

Try And Love Again begins with some chiming and dual-tracked electric guitars, with acoustic guitars quickly thrown into the mix. Randy Meisner launches into a fantastic song with a killer vocal present. The rest of the group plays really well, too and the music present in this song is really legendary. The guitars, in particular, deserve credit on this song, they just sound really sweet and lovely throughout. Another timeless tune, this is a real gem from the Eagles. This proves that this album is a decent slice of musical quality. There is a neat slide guitar solo in the middle of this song which sounds awesome and mindblowing. The verses quickly resume and this piece of gorgeous romantic music comes alive. A fantastic song for all to enjoy, this is a very enjoyable and sweet piece of 1970s romanticism. This song eventually reaches the outro, and it does sound pretty, lovely and inspirational for generations of musicians going forward. A really sweet tune to listen to, this wraps up with some awesome vocals and precise playing. Fantastic.

The Last Resort is the final song on the album and is fitting in position for this pseudo-concept album. It begins with a slow piano part that sounds great. Don Henley sings a very sweet song here, and the music throughout is awesome. A lovely and gorgeous tune, drums eventually kick in and this song gets grooving. A pretty, lovely and near-perfect listening experience, this is proof of the power of the music of the Eagles. A really sweet and enjoyable song about trying to build a paradise in a certain location, this follows into a cut section with piano alone. This is then followed by the next set of slide guitars and piano, which sound really sweet and lovely. A good song about the nature of humanity, there are some pro-environmental themes throughout this tune as well. The drumming is very spot-on throughout this tune as well, being the perfect accompaniment. Soon enough in the middle this song changes melodic structure and playing on piano, quickly followed by some decent electronic sounds. Don Henley sings about the destructive nature of Christianity, surprisingly enough. This quickly launches into a really good second half musically, and the music is absolutely gorgeous. A rather bitter musical statement matched with pretty music, the extended outro on this song is very welcomed. If you do believe in God, then you may wish to skip this tune as it points out the dark side of religion. Otherwise, a great conclusion to a pretty and enjoyable album. Very sweet.

This album is a real musical landmark in modern history. The combination of polished music, Country Rock themes, excellent lyrics and great performances have made this album an instant classic upon release and in addition one of the best albums of all time. That is the overall feel of Hotel California: a true classic that deserves to be heard. Should you listen to this album? If you love Rock Music and/or Country Rock, this is a definite starting point for you as a listener. Other music listeners will no doubt enjoy this album as well.

Absolutely fantastic.

9/10