Van Halen - Van Halen II
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Van HalenBrand: VAN HALEN
Edition: Music CD
Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2000-09-19
Music Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Soundtracks:
- You're No Good
- Dance The Night Away
- Somebody Get Me A Doctor
- Bottoms Up!
- Outta Love Again
- Light Up The Sky
- Spanish Fly
- D.O.A.
- Women In Love...
- Beautiful Girls
Free Music Notes for Van Halen II
Free Music Review: The second of six classics
Hit: 5 Stars
1979 saw the release of Van Halen's sophomore album, the aptly titled, "Van Halen II." Releasing a follow-up to their classic debut was no easy task. How on earth would you be able to top "Van Halen" (1978)? It would be like Neil Armstrong having to outdo his moon landing, or Charles Lindbergh having to one-up flying around the globe. Going into the studio within a year of releasing a masterpiece, without a lot of time to work on a follow-up, a sophomore slump would seem inevitable. After all, all the best songs are already used up for the debut. The remaining songs are just the left-overs. Right? Well, yes and no.
"Van Halen II" is not as good as its predecessor. How could it be? But in the late 70s, Van Halen was an up-and-coming band and they needed to churn out another album. Sloppy seconds or not, the songs on "Van Halen II" are better than most bands first course.
The songs on "Van Halen II" are basically cut from the same slab as the debut. Admittedly they're not quite as classic or infectious, but it's still a damn fine collection of songs.
Eddie Van Halen's guitar work is just as impressive here as it was on the debut. Song after song, his pioneering solos are both innovative and infectious. I've listened to "Van Halen II" a thousand times and never tire of hearing them. As usual Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen provide an exciting and dynamic rhythm section. But what makes these songs extra special and exciting, what really spices them up and makes them exceptional, is singer/frontman extraordinaire David Lee Roth. His master showmanship and delivery takes these songs from being just good 70s arena rock songs, and transforms them into classics.
"Van Halen II" opens with a bluesy rendition of Linda Rondstadt's hit "Your No Good." Eddie's solo automatically makes this cover outshine the original. David Lee Roth's hurt but confident baritone, over Michael Anthony's background harmonies are what really put the song over the edge. "Dance the Night Away" is easily one of the bands most memorable songs and remains a staple on classic rock today. No matter how crappy I feel, I always want to get up and dance around the kitchen/bedroom/office when I hear this song. The fast and furious "Somebody Get Me a Doctor" is akin to "I'm the One," from "Van Halen." Although not quite as memorable, it's still a great rocker. The mid-tempo cocky "Bottoms Up" has a great sing-along melody and keeps up the momentum. The album picks up a lot of steam with the lighting fast "Outta Love Again" and "Light up the Sky." Both first rate rockers. For an instrumental, rather than try to outdo "Eruption," (from "Van Halen") Eddie shows a gentler side with the impressive acoustic solo "Spanish Fly." The mid-tempo dodgy "DOA" (Dead or Alive) is one of the bands more underrated rockers. The highly melodic, melancholy "Women in Love" is one of Van Halen's best songs. With a soulful verse, and an infectious sing-along chorus, Roth is both vulnerable and confident, as only he can be. A truly underrated song if ever there was one. The album ends on an upbeat note with the buoyant "Beautiful Girls." This song possesses a great hook, witty lyrics, and a fun sing-along chorus. It is Roth's charisma, however, that ultimately caries the song and makes it a true triumph. The celebratory nature of the song is sure to up-lift the most despondent of spirits.
While "Van Halen II" will forever live in the shadow of the classic debut, it's still an outstanding album. From Eddie's screeching solos, to Roth's wit and showmanship, to Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen's stellar rhythm section, to Anthony's invaluable background vocals, "Van Halen II" is a sure winner. Like any of the first six Van Halen albums, "Van Halen II" is a must have for any great collection.
The 2000 remastered addition is a big improvement over the original CD, which sounded a bit stuffy. Now "Van Halen II" can be enjoyed in all its glory.
Van Halen II Poster
180-gram pressing. Originally released in 1979, the band's second album is a hard rock tour de force spotlighting the band's stellar musicianship and the up-front wizardry of guitar genius Eddie Van Halen and lead vocalist David Lee Roth. Highlights include Beautiful Girls, Spanish Fly and the US Top 20 single Dance The Night Away.Classic Rock Music CDs
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