Check In... You'll Never WANT To Leave

This was the album that certified, 100%, beyond a doubt, that The Eagles were THE band of the 70's. Having overcome inner turmoil, the launched into "Phase Two" after the release of a Greatest Hits album that many felt spelled the end.

Hotel California was perhaps one of the most anticipated albums of it's time. Replete with A sides, it in and of itself almost constitutes another greatest hits album. "New Kid in Town", "Life in the Fast Lane", "Victim of Love", and the Title cut all scored well on the charts, and even today can be heard in finer "juke boxes" around the country. Other cuts, like "Wasted Time", "Pretty Maids All In A Row", and my personal favorite of this tier, "The Last Resort" are better than most bands A sides!

Losing talent like Don Felder and then Randy Meisner was a sure sign of disaster, but this band; like the Raspberries a couple of years earlier, regrouped for their best album to that point. (Having the talents of Joe Walsh... and Timothy B. Schmidt on the next album... no doubt helped ease the losses... and the fans embraced Hotel California, giving the band members the impetus to continue. (Unlike what happened with Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson and the 'berries those short years earlier; when despite critical praise, the sales never happened.)

The Eagles certainly were masters of musical change over the course of their career; moving from predominantly a country-rock flair to solid rockers. They are a group of guys who STILL command the affection of a generation of fans. This album will give you a clear understanding as to why.