Customer Reviews

Van Halen II (US Internet Release)

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Van Halen II is every bit the classic their debut was. David Lee Roth's talent really shows here. From what I hear this album was recorded in less than a week! You wouldn't know it, as the songs sound masterfully crafted. Not one second seems rushed.

Another fine cover tune opens the album,
"You're no good" and gets things going in full throttle. "Dance the night away" with it's pleasant harmony reached the top 20. The feel-good chorus of "Bottoms up" never disappoints. Eddie showcases his acoustic chops on "Spanish fly" followed by the all-out rocker "Dead or alive". "Women in love" will lift you up during the dog days of summer. Capping it off is the classic "Beautiful girls" playful lyrics, strong chorus, what's not to like?

The songs on Van Halen II encapsulate the ultimate Summertime feel. This is a must-have.

After the astonishing success of their groundbreaking debut, Van Halen refused to rest on their laurels and quickly followed it up in 1979 with the release of VAN HALEN II. Although the first album is truly a landmark achievement in the hard rock/heavy metal genre, VHII is an even better record. The band has never sounded tighter. David Lee Roth's unique and raucous vocals still proves he can scream with the best of them; drummer Alex Van Halen and bassist Michael Anthony are still one of the finest rhythm sections in rock; and Eddie Van Halen's rapid-fire solos and innovative guitar work sound even more groundbreaking than ever before.

Michael Anthony's awesome bass riff kicks off the album's opener, a bluesy cover of Linda Rondstadt's "You're No Good," which is quickly followed by the band's first Top 20 hit, the melodic "Dance the Night Away." The one-minute instrumental "Spanish Fly" shows that Eddie Van Halen can rock just as hard on acoustic guitar, while "Somebody Get Me a Doctor" and "Outta Love Again" showcase the band's blues influences. "D.O.A." (which stands for "Dead or Alive") is one of the band's best songs, a head-banging heavy metal rocker which features some of the best tough-guy-on-the-street lyrics ever written.

Pretty much every song on this sophomore LP is great, no filler just like the first album. The musicianship is top-notch, DLR's showmanship is incredible, and the production by Ted Templeman makes sure every guitar note hits the speakers as expected (loudly). VAN HALEN II is a classic hard rock record.

NOTE: Check out Alex Van Halen's drum solo in the middle of track #6 "Light Up the Sky." It's something to behold.

After the brilliant VAN HALEN,Eddie and Co. had the difficult task of a follow up release.The first notes of YOU'RE NO GOOD wind out from your speakers like a blues boa constrictor.Not quite as heavy as it's predecessor,VH2 covers many areas :comedy(BEAUTIFUL GIRLS);radio friendly(DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY);acoustic guitar(SPANISH FLY);blues rock(YOU'RE NO GOOD,SOMEBODY GET ME A DOCTOR)and heavy metal(LIGHT UP THE SKY,DOA).Many of the songs don't work as well as their VH1 counterparts,but this is an enjoyable album just the same.

I said it 25 years ago and I still say it today - if you don't own this album, you don't know Van Halen!
Van Halen II is the quintessential "side b" of their debut album. A second helping of the same smokin' guitar riffs, whimsical vocals and high energy good times that made this band the toast of the rock music world.
A bit under-produced by some standards, Van Halen II is unadulterated by synths or MIDI technology. This is pure no-nonsense artistry and raw power.
Hungry to make their lasting mark, the band exudes energy from the pop-friendly radio staple "Dance the Night Away" to the hard driving rock anthem "Light Up the Sky". David Lee Roth's trademark screams along with a powerhouse rhythm section spin the cover tune "You're No Good" into a metal classic. Eddie debuts his acoustic prowess with "Spanish Fly" and unleashes a fury of scorching riffs on "Somebody Get Me a Doctor". The ballad "Women In Love" showcases the dynamic abilities of this versatile ensemble as "Outta Love Again" betrays their heavy metal roots.
Chemistry like this cannot be duplicated. Van Halen II is a must for any VH fan.

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.

Van Halen 1 is a monster on it's own.A record which can completely stand it's ground as one of the greatest hard rock albums of all time.Van Halen II may not be as beastly as VHI,but boy,this baby is without a doubt a kick arse hard rock album everyone's gotta have.The tunes on this one have more of a "party" vibe,nothing wrong with that since VH was known for their backstage antics.Their love to party is captured by tracks like "Bottoms Up" and "Beautiful Girls".The band dabbles into some nice pop/rock tunes like "Dance..." and "You're No Good".Then there's Halen's metal side which sounds awesomely heavy in tunes like "Light Up The Sky","Somebody Get...","Outta Love",and "DOA"."Spanish Fly" in an insane acoustic solo by Eddie.Almost like "Eruption",just not as flashy and loud but still a great tune which is one of my fav Halen solos on record.Then there's "Women In Love" which is one of the most criminally-underrated Halen songs of all time.The intro is pure genius and just tugs at your insides.The background vocals on this one simply soar and make you just want to sing along.I think it's Dave,Eddie,and Mike all singing.Like I said in a previous review,this was the only band that could combine heavy metal riffs with beautiful background harmonies without losing their edge.

VHII rocks big time and this is a must have for any hard rocker or Dave era Halen fan.A classic!

I just recently bought the remastered version (which sounds amazing) and I'm dying to get in my car and blast it while cruising. Of course, being in my 30's and with a wife and son, I would look pretty silly doing that. But that's the power of this album; it takes me back to when I was 16 and my friends and I actually DID cruise around blasting this to the heavens. Not having heard this in many years, I can't believe how strong this sounds. Another reviewer said that this was the greatest summer album ever and I would certainly agree, since all the topics covered (women and partying) are best at that time of year. Additionally, I would much rather hear an album that's barely 30 minutes long and filled with nothing but killer, than hear the usual, bloated 65 minute CD's made today and have to skip tracks. You just DON'T skip any tracks here and now I'm thinking where I'm going to cruising for chicks (Don't tell my wife!).

The always tough task of following up any hit album is apparent throughout music. But what if that debut album is perhaps one of the top ten best albums of all time and not some 90's garabage, wannabe crap. Van Halen expands their musical range somewhat here, but still uses the same basic format that served them so well on VH1. Songs like "Outta Love Again", "D.O.A" and "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" aren't as memorable as "Runnin' With The Devil", "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love" and "Jammies Cryin", but they are still truly great songs and album rock staples. To go along with that, VH actually shows more diversity on VH2 as they add pop songs like "Your No Good" and "Women In Love", a classic ballad in "Dance The Night Away" (which was the bands first real major hit, charting at no. 15) and even a tongue and cheek, pre pop metal song in "Beautiful Girls". Though VH2 is not quite as good as its predesescor, it is another classic album by any decent standard in the rock and roll cannon. Van Halen 2 is certainly well deserving of the nearly 6 million albums it sold in the U.S. alone.

Van Halen II proves that the music wizardry found on the Halen's debut album was not a fluke. Van Halen revolutionized guitar driven rock, and Van Halen II is a must have album that established the band, and proved they were more than just a flash in the pan. You have to have heard all of these songs at one point or another if you grew up in the late 70's and early 80's, and I would be surprised if there are too many folks out there who don't own a copy of this album in some form or another. Overall, Van Halen II is a little more mellow than the debut album. You get the great cover of "You're No Good", "Dance the Night Away" is the biggest hit off the album which follows up, and both are a bit more on the lighter side. Even the instrumental on this disk, "Spanish Fly" is a light little acoustic number. And though there really isn't an "Atomic Punk" like cut on VHII, the album still rocks out. "DOA" and "Light up the Sky" stand out as great early metal classics. "Outta Love Again" actually has Michael Anthony's bass-line emerge from it ususal background status. And "Bottoms Up" and "Beautiful Girls" are still two of the best summer jams around. You can't hear "Beautiful Girls" without wanting to put on some suntan lotion and hit the beach. If you are just discovering Van Halen, or know only the Sammy years, be sure to pick up this early classic. You can't go wrong with Van Halen during the David Lee Roth years.

Van Halen pumped this album out a mere thirteen months after exploding onto the rock 'n' roll scene with their debut. Van Halen II, although it's one track shorter than its predecessor, might not be considered "better," but it is, at the very least, satisfying. The style of II is essentially the same as that of Van Halen I, with plenty of Eddie's good ol' riffs, hooks, and melodies ... and it might be a little more wild, too. The album opens with the mellow "You're No Good," thankfully the album's only cover song. It's always nice to hear these guys "Halenize" a classic with their magic, but it's even better to hear their own stuff.

Just two singles were released from II: "Dance the Night Away," the band's first mainstream hit, and "Beautiful Girls," the up-tempo album closer. "Spanish Fly" is a short, sweet, solo piece, like an acoustic "Eruption." Some consider it filler material, but listen to it and see if you have any complaints. My personal favorite here is "Light Up the Sky," with its great opening and up-tempo beat. The album's heaviest cut is probably "Somebody Get Me a Doctor," or maybe it's "D.O.A." (which stands for "Dead or Alive," by the way).

As far as follow-up albums go, this one's a winner, considering it was put out just a year after Van Halen's debut. Kick [booty]!