Van Halen II

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.


Van Halen's Best!!   July 26, 2001
A.F. (Bronx, NY USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

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.


Van Halen 's Bluesy Course   March 21, 2000
Brent Evans (Rockhampton, Australia)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

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.


Solidified The Van Halen Sound   September 21, 2004
Graboidz (Westminster, Maryland)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

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.


Awesome   September 17, 1999
Bxr53@aol.com Andy"Lost in Love"Spilos (Juno Beach, Florida)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This CD had me puffing up faster than a driver side air bag