LogFAQs > #964734355

Ive always thought of this album as Don Henleys masterpiece, even though it was his "brother" - the late great Glenn Frey - who was getting into shouting matches and altercations with the other band members during the tumultuous time of turnover. I would think that the conflicts actually fueled Henley and Frey's musical creativity and helped contribute such a fantastic direction, since they didn't listen to Bernie Leadon (who left because they weren't going to do another Desperado). I think the fighting fueled the passion, which always contributes to success. The whole album is fun and does the good moods and the not-so-good moods well. At least at this point, the guys were able to work harmoniously together to produce something awesome.

1. Hotel California Like those guitars. The theme. All the good stuff.
2. Wasted Time Underrated Don Henley ballad. The instrumental outro (originally separated due to LP restrictions) punctuates it, too.
3. Life in the Fast Lane - A song that somehow manages to mix the thrills of drug dealing with the eventual placation one feels. Probably because of the drugs themselves.
4. New Kid in Town Its surprising that this is the only Glenn Frey vocal on here, and that alone makes it a standout since its among his best.
5. Try and Love Again - The only Randy Meisner vocal here. It's not Take It to the Limit but it's almost there.
6. The Last Resort While it goes on a little too long, its still epic, and I honestly feel bad putting it this low.
7. Wasted Time (Reprise) - If we're really separating them; AFAIK the band no longer does.
8. Pretty Maids All in a Row The silence is unnecessary and the shortness of this one gets drowned out by those around it. It's still good though!
9. Victim of Love This one is forgettable because of just how great the rest is. That and this was primarily Don Felder's song, so Henley didn't have the same passion for it that he does his own compositions.

Wish I could've gone to the tour for this album (still a small handful of shows left) but I have no money. (I'm also learning that Deacon Frey just left the band - news to me!).

(P.S. If you guys can't access the comic above, I can repost it in a different way.)