Reason #215: 1984
There is no denying that the David Lee Roth version of Van Halen was the shit. Resistance is futile, even if you derided them back in high school you have to give it up. They were one hell of a fun band with an amazing guitarist, solid rhythm section and one very charismatic lead singer. And while I may prefer the Aztec Camera version of Jump, there is no denying that the ’80’s would have been poorer without the Van Halen version.
The whole ‘synth’ controversy was overblown as well, especially given that Panama and Hot For Teacher (glorious song, that) are two of their heaviest numbers. From allmusic:
” Of course, the mere addition of a synth wasn’t enough to rope in fair-weather fans — they needed pop hooks and pop songs, which 1984 had, most gloriously on the exuberant, timeless “Jump.” There, the synths played a circular riff that wouldn’t have sounded as overpowering on guitar, but the band didn’t dispense with their signature monolithic, pulsating rock.”
They even manage to bring the funk with House Of Pain.
I was one of those snobby bastards who dismissed this album back when it was released, but I have since changed my mind and am now helpless to resist its many charms. 1984 is not Van Halen’s best album, but it’s damn close!
I grew up on Prog, so synths don’t scare me. That said, when I first heard “Jump,” I found them a bit jarring at first, in the context of a VH song. I got over it, though, and “I’ll Wait” (more synths!) was a personal favorite. “Hot For Teacher” still rocks.
It took me a while to warm up to prog…as a kid I loved Supertramp, Alan Parsons Project, Jeff Wayne’s War Of The Worlds, Pink Floyd, Queen…bands any hardcore prog fan would mock as “prog-lite”–except maybe Floyd…but over the last 10 years I have come to really enjoy a lot of the so called “REAL” prog…early Genesis, Yes, Camel, especially Steven Wilson (anything he’s done), and a lot more…
Wow, did I digress there! Yeah, Hot For Teacher’s a hell of a tune!
As to your digression; you should post a ‘top ten’ prog albums page – like you did with Rush.
I remember when this album came out – it was a huge deal. I hoped it would lead to a new era of VH – longer albums, no covers, no intros or solos labeled as songs…I was partially right.
Yes ML, I remember seeing a TON more VH tee-shirts around the high school hallways, too.
“Fair Warning” is still a personal favorite.
I love that album, a much darker affair I think, a little more…sinister? But all the DLR fronted VH efforts have something.
DLR Van Halen was definitely the best Van Halen. I could never warm to Sammy Hagar. Nothing could top their first album & its unique sound.
Bonus points for mentioning Aztec Camera.
Hagar…pfft, although he did a cracking job on the title track to Heavy Metal. 🙂
And thanks for the bonus points! I think I like Aztec Camera’s version better than the original!
I only started listening to Van Halen last year. Always looked at them as no substance big hair and cocaine smiles. Big mistake. Truly marvellous band (I’m not so keen on VH without Roth).
I wrote them off as well during their heyday, but secretly LOVED the debut.
Despite beign a metaller VH have just never really done it for me, although ‘Jump’ is a total unalloyed work of frigging genius!
I’m sure you’re not alone…I remember when the British metal bands started coming out in the early 80’s (Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, etc) Van Halen and Roth’s antics in particular came off a little quaint next to the horrorshow of Eddie and the like.
It was all a bit slick for my tastes.