99. THE EAGLES / HOTEL CALIFORNIA - APPLE MUSIC TOP 100 ALBUMS

When it comes to trying to explain the appeal of one massively popular 70s band, I tend to subscribe to The Dude’s philosophy: “I fucking hate the Eagles, man.” I’m not sure if it’s simply the era in which it was made, the breezy style in which it is presented or if it’s just that I cannot find an entry point to connect to the music and lyrics, The Eagles have always seemed to be a part of the culture that I skip or outright avoid. 

While the aesthetic has been embraced by 70s California stoners and buoyed by dive bars for the greater part of five decades, you cannot deny this group’s stranglehold over classic rock stations.

I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful arrangement of the “Wasted Time” reprise and almost came close to appreciating the rock-edge utilized in “Victim of Love” (until that refrain hits and then I’m back out). And yet, it is still baffling to me that this is one of the best selling albums of all time – and not even the band’s top selling album. That honor belongs to their Greatest Hits package – which currently stands as the best selling album of all time in the US (a crime).

Would it be in my Top 100: Nowhere close.

Sleeper Track: “The Last Resort” is a smart closer. It also means the album is almost over, which is a sign the album will soon stop playing.