Van Halen II [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Van Halen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 1979
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B00004Y6O8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (116 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #507 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #8 in Music > Rock > Rock Guitarists > Guitar Gods
  • #15 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > Hard Rock
  • #23 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > Pop Metal

Editorial Reviews

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. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Second times the charm!, March 19, 2003

By 

Stretch (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Van Halen II (Audio CD)

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.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Van Halen's Best!!, July 25, 2001

By 

A.F. "musicfan585" (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Van Halen II (Audio CD)

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.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Van Halen 's Bluesy Course, March 20, 2000

By 

Brent Evans (Rockhampton, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Van Halen 2 (Audio CD)

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.