Van Halen--1984 (1983/Warner Brothers)
Rating--9.0
Panama--RealAudio Hot For Teacher--RealAudio
The band's huge commercial "comeback," as it sold of ton of records here in the States. A good, diverse album, mixing elements from each of the band's earlier
releases, it seems. Unfortunately, it would be the last full release with Diamond David Lee Roth.
"Jump" was the biggest radio/MTV hit, with its smooth keyboard
flow. Not far behind (and actually a better song) was the rippin' groove of "Panama," hearkening back to the old days of the band's self-titled debut. "Drop Dead Legs"
is a winding, note-bending tune, and the light-key feel of "I'll Wait" got a good deal of AOR airplay.
A host of "forgotten" tracks are spackled here as well.
"Top Jimmy" has the classic swaggering, lighter mood of the mid-DLR albums, and "Girl Gone Bad" fits the same era mold with its good vocal harmonizing. "House
of Pain" is yet another nice spot.
Oh yeah... And what about "Hot For Teacher?"
Those drums! The guitar! The spoken interludes! The video, for crissakes! Eddie soloing on the table! Yup, a classic.
"I don't feel tardy..."
TRACK LIST: 1984/Jump/Panama/Top Jimmy/Drop Dead Legs/Hot For Teacher/I'll Wait/Girl Gone Bad/House of Pain
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