Van Halen - Van Halen II
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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.
Free Music Review: Great follow up to there classic debut, more commercial than the debut
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is almost as good as there monumental debut album not quite there but almost as good.
1.You're No Good- 8.5/10 A good intro that leads into a slow bluesy track. Some trademark falsetto screams from David Lee Roth. A great creative bluesy solo by Eddie Van Halen
2.Dance the Night Away- 10/10 A poppy hair metal track here with a very catchy riff and chorus.
3.Somebody Get Me a Doctor- 10/10 A great classic Van Halen track. With a trademark catchy chorus and some trademark falsetto screams. A great solo from Eddie Van Halen too. One of the best riffs on the album too.
4.Bottoms Up!- 8.5/10 A great fast paced track. A good riff and an awesome solo from Eddie Van Halen. Some great vocals by David Lee Roth too.
5.Outta Love Again- 9/10 Another great song with some more falsetto screams and another great riff. Eddie Van Halen shreds away on this track.
6.Light up the Sky- 9/10 Another good fast paced song with a greta riff. This song has a great bridge which leads into one of Eddie's best solos on the album.
7.Spanish Fly- 10/10 An amazing showcase by Eddie Van Halen who shreds away on an acoustic guitar and finger taps on an acoustic guitar aswell. Amazing guitar work...kind of like an acoustic version of Eruption.
8.D.O.A.- 7.5/10 A good track although it sounds dated. However Eddie Van Halen shreds away on this song.
9.Women in Love- 10/10 Another great catchy track. David Lee Roth's vocals are excellent and Eddie's guitar work is flawless. One of the band's first ballads too.
10.Beautiful Girls- 10/10 A great catchy track with a great riff. The chorus is great as are the main vocals and Eddie's lead work is excellent aswell
This album is great and I think anyway hard rock fan should own this although It's not quite as good as the debut album. This album is more commercial than there debut. The band is
David Lee Roth- Vocals
Eddie Van Halen- Guitar
Alex Van Halen- Drums
Michael Anthony- Bass
Free Music Review: Great album
Hit: 4 Stars
This is a great rock music album. What's so wonderful about it? It's got energetic, driving riffs, it makes you feel good and it rocks. What else do you need?
This one's a little mellower than some of the other Van Roth albums, with melodic songs like 'Dancing the night away'. There's also some really heavy songs, like 'Light up the sky' and there's really riff driven numbers like 'D.O.A.' (dead or alive) which just plain rocks.
Free Music Review: The Kings
Hit: 5 Stars
In 1979 when this record was made, Van Halen was the hottest up and coming band on the planet. They had toured with Sabbath and Journey and word was spreading quick that This was the band to see and hear. This record starts off oddly with two melodic pop songs, a smoldering version of You're No Good and the good time bliss of Dance The Night Away. Then, the mood changes drastically- Somebody Get Me A Doctor starts off like a Kiss song and then kicks into a classic Eddie Riff. Roth screaming nonsensical lyrics that are freakin perfect. This song is Van Halen nirvana. Party keeps rocking along with Bottoms UP! and Outta Love Again- nothing amazing here, but solid songs with Roth and Edward wailing away. Track 6- Light Up The Sky is the real gem on this record- mean guitar riff with lots of mood and subtle volume changes. This song showed that these cats were way beyond rock and roll party animals. Behind the booze and egos was an incredibly tight and talented band. Name a band in 2005 that can write a riff as hot as D.O.A. They don't make bands like this anymore. Aint no Pro Tools used on this one either. Made in 6 days. I love this record.Free Music Review: Decent follow up to "Van Halen"
Hit: 3 Stars
Van Halen II is a fine album from Van Halen. Not in the same league as their debut, but still pretty good. Diamond Dave hadn't got to annoying yet, and VH were able to come up with a good batch of songs. Highlights include: a cover of Linda Rondstats "You're No Good", Dance the Night Away", Beautiful Girls, Bottoms Up, and DOA. If you liked Van Halen's first album you should like Van Halen II as well.