Van Halen — 1984

Van Halen -- 1984

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: 1984
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Not sure when, bought it used at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA
• Keeper: Yes

Guess when this record came out. Incorrect! Or maybe, correct! I don’t know. Everything on the record and sleeve says 1983, but according to some sites it was January, 1984. Anyhow, what’s more important is that this was the last Van Halen record with my hero Diamond Dave. The guy’s lyrics were excellent, his singing was crazy, and he was, is maybe, a world class entertainer like no other.

The album starts off sounding like Eddie has OD’d on Human League. The synth stuff is over the top. Maybe that’s the reason I tend to forget how great this record really is. It’s chock-a-block with hits and lesser-known gems. At the time I thought the hit “Jump” was a bit cheesy, but of course it’s an excellent song with excellent lyrics which explains why someone like Aztec Camera/Roddy Frame would make a cover of it.

Another popular winner is “Panama” which I always associate with one of my many lessons in humility. Back when 1984 was new I remember being at a guitar store with my friend Tom Bundick when he started playing “Panama” and I think I responded with something like “what the hell are you doing?!” To which Tom replied “that song is great!” Of course, he was right and I was too punk, too cool for my own good. I’ve mentioned that affliction before, but at least I eventually got hip to these records.

1984 was their best selling album at the time. 10 million! Everyone knows the hits, but I also really like “Top Jimmy” and “Drop Dead Legs.” Of course the most awesome classic is “Hot for Teacher”, even the video is a classic. And awesome. For real.

“I don’t feel tardy.”

Van Halen — Diver Down

Van Halen -- Diver Down

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: Diver Down
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Used. Can remember when or where…

This is the fifth Van Halen record, and at least the third time I’ve mentioned how cool there were because they performed covers on their records. Name another multi-platinum selling hard rock group that did this on a regular basis. It was a tradition that mostly died in the 1960s, when bands were covering even comtemporary hits. On “Diver Down” they might’ve gone over the top. There are five covers here, and from all types of music and periods.

“Where Have All The Good Times Gone” by The Kinks is my favorite cover, and maybe my favorite song on the album. I’ve always loved The Kinks. “Diver Down” was a rush job and that’s probably why there are so many covers. ClassicVanHalen.com explains the whole sitch.

Van Halen — Fair Warning

Van Halen -- Fair Warning

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: Fair Warning
• Year: 1981
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Dunno

I should’ve mentioned this earlier. Ted Templeton’s production work on these records is fantastic. He’s a genius. Anyhow, Van Halen’s “Fair Warning” is excellent and the lead track, “Mean Street”, is possibly my favorite song from all their work. It’s rock and roll perfection, from the guitar solo intro, Dave’s lyrics and singing, the riffs, the bridge, to the slow fade. Other hits and personal faves include “So This Is Love?” and “Unchained.”

And we don’t worry ’bout tomorrow
Cause we’re sick of these four walls
Now what ya think is nothing
Might be something after all

Van Halen — Women and Children First

Van Halen -- Women and Children First

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: Women and Children First
• Year: 1980
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: No idea.
• Keeper: Yes

“Women and Children First” is the third album by Van Halen, and it’s brilliant, if not quite as stunning as the first two. These guys followed no rules. It’s hard to believe how eclectic this record is. “Loss of Control” sounds like Slayer for a minute or so, and this is only 1980! Then there’s “Could This Be Magic?”, which is an acoustic number that I suppose you could call old-time folk, blues, or maybe even a “standard.” I don’t know. That one includes the line “Women and Children First” which became the album title. The big hits from this record are “And The Cradle Will Rock…” and “Everybody Wants Some!!”

Have you seen Junior’s grades?

Van Halen — Van Halen II

Van Halen -- Van Halen II

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: Van Halen II
• Year: 1979
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: ? Bought it used…
• Keeper: Yes

Oh man, the unpacking continues. But tonight I got my priorities straight and finally set up the stereo. And what was the first record to rock the house? That’s right, “Van Halen II.” Considering that we bought this house from a woman in her 80s who lived here since the 1960s I think it’s safe to say tonight is the first time Van Halen shook these walls. My daughter Paris came downstairs and said: “Mom, stop dancing. And can you guys turn it down some?” We couldn’t help rockin’ out.

As I mentioned before, Van Halen is one of a very few popular rock groups to have the guts to perform covers on their proper albums. This time they open the record with one, “(Baby) You’re No Good” by Clint Ballard, Jr. This song was popularized by Linda Ronstadt a few years earlier. My mother likes to tell a story about how my brother as a child heard Linda’s version in the car one day and started crying because that lady was saying mean things to a “baby.” Sorry G, had to tell that.

Other hits include “Dance the Night Away” and the most awesome “Beautiful Girls.” My favorites include “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” and acoustic solo “Spanish Fly.” Tonight when “D.O.A.” started with Eddie’s chunk-chunk-chunk guitar riff Mary said “that’s sooo rock ‘n’ roll.” Yes it is.

This site about Van Halen has the scoop about every song on this record.

Van Halen — Pretty Woman

Van Halen -- Pretty Woman

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: Pretty Woman
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: We’re not sure.
• Acquired: We’re not sure.
• Keeper: Yes

Ah, Van Halen, one of the few mega rock bands with enough guts to record covers and actually put them on their proper albums. Most bands tend relegate covers to b-sides or other oddball releases. Van Halen on the other hand celebrated the covers, with complete respect for the songs and the original artists, and put them out front so folks could hear these tunes again. When their version of Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” came out I remember my friend Bennie, hardcore VH fan, thinking it was goofy, but I thought they rocked it solid. OK, the flipside cover of “Happy Trails” is a little goofy.

Van Halen — Van Halen

Van Halen -- Van Halen

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: Van Halen
• Year: 1978
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: ? ?
• Keeper: Yes

I’ve always liked Van Halen, but I was too busy trying to be punk rock when their records came out to buy them. I got ’em all now though! My friend Bennie Ingram is above any type of posing and was a huge fan from the get-go. Fortunately, hanging with Bennie (Bobo) kept me clued in.

And when I say “their records” I mean the ones when “Diamond” David Lee Roth was in the band. I know Hagar was in the band even longer but who cares? Not me. Roth is the only front man I can imagine complementing, and competing with, Eddie Van Halen’s guitar work. Both guys are so good at, and so over the top in what they do it’s hard to believe the union lasted as long as it did.

I wish I had been paying closer attention when this record first hit. I remember riding in the car with my dad when “Jamie’s Cryin'” came on and I said “I’ve been hearing a lot of Van Halen lately” and he replied “that’s too bad.” And my dad is a rocker! I should’ve known right then that this was something special, and very different. Every song on here is exciting and totally original sounding, even today.

I had a friend, Bill Rogers, who once said that Eddie Van Halen ruined rock guitar for the next decade because everybody wanted play like him. Of course, who really could? The guy was a total innovator and the song writing matched the technique. The same can be said for Diamond Dave. Insane showmanship, crazy good voice, and really smart and occassionally smart-assed lyrics.

Dave’s famous quip that the reason more critics like(d) Elvis Costello than Van Halen is that more critics look like Costello is pure genius, and of course true. I don’t look like either of them, but if I could choose it would be the high kicking Diamond Dave… for sure. I’m finding it difficult to stop writing about them. Just be glad you’re not in the same room with me right now. Seriously.