1007. Van Halen / Van Halen II. 1979. 4/5

Retrospectively going back to review an album of such undoubted influence upon many bands of the 1980’s is a difficult thing to do, especially from someone who didn’t cotton on to Van Halen until the dawning end of the first DLR era. Thus my favourite albums have always been the mid-80’s releases. Even given the blues roots of the first album there was plenty to enjoy, especially when Eddie let fly and Dave just went with it. The second installment is more or less an extension of the first album, with a similar structure and song body about it.

As with most first albums, there was enough left over material from the band’s work to stretch into the second album, and I suspect mostly for this reason it does come across as a sister act with the debut release. I’m not sold on the cover version of “You’re No Good” that opens up the album. I’ve been spoiled by the version that is in the cult movie classic “House” for years, and this doesn’t do enough to top that. The first single from the album is the classic “Dance the Night Away” which harbours all of the great things about this band in one song. It may not be the most energetic of the songs here but given its exposure it is the most well-known.
For the majority of the album it’s an upbeat jaunty exercise, mixing the jive drum beat of Alex and funky bass of Michael along with the ridiculous guitar skills of Eddie and the athletic vocal chords of Dave, which are also packed in support by the other members. Each song is short and sweet, and action packed. When an album only stretches to 31 minutes you’re going to get that. Songs like “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” and “Bottoms Up!” and “Outta Love Again” all have that upside joyous vocal quality backed up by Eddie’s wonderful guitar licks. “Light Up the Sky” really does light up the sky, with Eddie’s flying solo and even a solo drum piece for Alex to get his chops around.
Whereas the first album had Eddie’s “Eruption” to listen to with mouth agape at his skill, here we have “Spanish Fly”, a one minute instrumental piece with Eddie again excelling on his instrument in a different form. It’s still great to listen to. This is followed by the straight up rock guitar stylings of “D.O.A” which still does most things right.
The final two songs on the album slow back down to a different tempo. “Women in Love…” and “Beautiful Girls” both go for a more reflective, less urgent style, and while others may enjoy them, for me it comes as a slightly disappointing end to the album after what has come before this.

This album feels like the band is having a party in the recording studio. The whole vibe is fun and fantastic, with all four members at the top of their game and sounding like they are having a great time. This moves away from the blues base of the first album and tends to take on the live sensation they must have been channelling at this stage of their career. Comparing it to the debut release, there are positives and negatives against both. In the end, on a comparable scale, I probably prefer I to II, but there’s not a whole lot in it.

Rating:  “I heard the wind a whisperin', strong magic comin' on”.  4/5