Van Halen II proved the band wasn’t just a one-album wonder. It’s loud, fast, and packed with Eddie Van Halen’s killer guitar playing, the kind that grabs you right away and doesn’t let go. It might not have the shock factor of the debut, but it sounds like a band having a blast and cranking things up even further.

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Kip -  In the course of doing the work for this website, I have discovered my affection for a number of albums is correlated to the context of acquiring them. Every summer, after baseball was over, I spent two weeks in eastern South Dakota with my two grandmothers. I would spend a week in town with one, then on the farm with the other the following week. Invariably, my “town” grandmother would take me downtown to “shop.” The summer of '79, my purchase was Van Halen II. I had worn out the debut album the previous year, so I was ecstatic to find the new release. The problem was, my grandmother didn't have a stereo, so I spent the remainder of the trip staring at the cover and the inside sleeve, imagining what I was to hear. When I finally got home, I was greeted with the newest copy of Guitar Player magazine, which just happened to have an interview with Edward Van Halen. My parents had an engagement that evening, so I put it on my mother's upstairs stereo, on just short of volume 10 and settled in with my magazine. I was quite disappointed in the opening cover of “You're No Good,” but that dissipated quickly, as the opening chords of “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” reverberated through our high-ceilinged living room. Oh, was I hooked. With it's short run time, I did at least 6 trips up and down the stairs to continuously flip the album over. I loved the less polished production, as well as the dry drum sound (which my magazine declared that drummer Alex just hated.) From the crazy time changes in “Outta Love Again,” to the goofy drunken bar sing-a-long of “Bottoms Up,” I loved every unvarnished minute. Then I flipped sides and was gobsmacked by the locomotive that was “Light Up the Sky.” Later that year, Van Halen played here, and the opener of “Light Up the Sky,” with Roth doing his trademark splits to kick off the show, followed by, with no break, “Somebody Get Me a Doctor,” is to this day the greatest concert moment I've witnessed. The place absolutely exploded with positive energy. Initially, I rolled my eyes at “Spanish Fly” being an attempt to replicate “ Eruption,” but that feeling had definitely softened over the years. The song and playing stand on their own and the groan at the beginning and deep breath at the end simply solidify the “rough” feeling that the entire album possesses. Though I am always hyper critical of their track order, finishing with “Beautiful Girls” leaves the listener with a positive, summertime optimism that just feels like carefree youth. This is an album I never tired of hearing and just a glimpse of the cover in my album and CD collection brings an immediate smile to my face.

 

Grade A- (point off for brevity)

 

   On a somewhat side note, several years ago, Jeff made me a CD called Zero that was the demos Van Halen cut before the first album. A surprising number of songs or at least riffs, that ended up on albums AFTER the debut were on it. One in particular, that was a complete song, “She's the Woman,” didn't appear until  2012's "A Different Kind Of Truth” and would have fit seamlessly on II. I distinctly remember the reviews of the album in my music magazines being largely positive, but each one criticized the shockingly short running time of the album. That they had a song as complete as that in their catalog already and didn't include it is baffling to me.

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Mark -  A day or so ago I had the pleasure of getting together with Kip and Jeff for a listening session for this month’s write up of Van Halen II. I must say that friends are a wonderful thing. I highly recommend having them! Van Halen II is my favorite from the band still. I died on that hill long ago and there I remain quite satisfied. I remember the anticipation of plopping this brand spanking new Van Halen vinyl on my Thorens TD 160 turntable. Aaah! The smell of new vinyl what a luxury. The sounds that I heard were amazing. For me this was a whole band showcase. where Van Halen I was the Eddie and David show, this was more complete. More unified. Michael Anthony is a total bass Guru. His grooves lock in with Alex Van Halen just right, not too loose and not to tight (baby bear). He’s up in the mix nicely and I am a better person for it. Alex is stellar! That sweet, sweet snare sound is what I crave! The song "Outta Love Again" is so kick ass it makes me go FTW! And of course, Eddie is riding that volume knob to perfection. It’s cool to hear him get these clean tones during an intro or bridge Then push the volume for riffs and solos. And that wonderful brown sound that we all hunt for but never quite achieved... the journey right...yes, it’s all in the hands, heart and mind. Now Dave is like a midway hawker. Selling his vocal wares to those who stray too close. Taking all we have and in the end we thank him for it. How does he do that? I love the cover and the inside sleeve as well. Great photos of the band and Eddie's bumble bee guitar is still my favorite. As you can tell I really love this band and love this album.

Grade - A+

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Jeff - There’s a lot to like about Van Halen II. The first thing that jumps out at me is Eddie Van Halen. His guitar work just never gets old, and even on repeat listens I’m still catching little runs, tones, and fills that make me shake my head. He’s not just shredding for the sake of it either there’s a groove and a swagger to his playing that drives this whole record. Michael Anthony’s harmony vocals are another massive plus. They’re freaking fantastic and add so much to the band’s sound. Without those harmonies Van Halen is not Van Halen. Alex’s drumming is tight and powerful, and the production sounds great, big, loud, and confident, exactly what you want from this band at this point.

   That said, the album isn’t perfect. By around the eighth song, I start to feel a little worn down by David Lee Roth. He’s full of attitude and personality, which works most of the time, but I wish he showed a bit more range here. There are a few tracks I’ve just never fully connected with, and they don’t quite hit as hard as the highs. On the flip side, songs like “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” absolutely rip. That track should’ve opened the album in my opinion, it’s pure Van Halen energy from start to finish. And “You’re No Good” is one of the best cover songs ever, period. They take it and completely make it their own.

   Overall, I still think the debut album had stronger songs front to back, but Van Halen II is no slouch. It feels like a wall of sound built by three incredible musicians, with Roth coming in to put his flashy finishing touch on top. Even though I don’t love it quite as much as the first record, the sheer musicianship keeps this album exciting and powerful all the way through. Roth’s vocals and a handful of weaker tracks are really the only things holding it back from a solid A. As it stands, Van Halen II easily earns a strong B+ from me.

Grade - B+​