1984 is one of Van Halen's better albums
by Bill Corgan - Features editor

(Sent to us by Asra Syed)

Up until this date, I have only purchased two Van Halen albums, numbers one and three. As many know, Van Halen's first was a masterpiece, a classic show of what rock 'n' roll can be. Albums four and five, whose titles I shall not even mention, were great disappointments. So, along comes 1984, yes, the year and the album. I figured to myself, oh no, I'm going to get another dose of boring cover songs coupled with some on the spot guitar riffs.

Wrong, wrong, wrong! 1984 got me right between the eyes. Emotions such as shock, relief, happiness, ang general applause greeted my worn pshcye.

Eight songs characterized as five Van Halen songs and three cooked keyboard songs. Side "un" (I love to write in French) opens with Ed fooling around on his Oberheim. Quickly follows is the first Van Halen number one song ever, "Jump," which by now is causing your brain to phosphorescent mustard, but is worthy of a gold star.

Then the album begins--"Panama" wails in with David Lee Roth cackling he Jack Danieled dosed voiced and Edward with some accelerating pyrotechnics. I can't figure out what "Panama" is about, save for David Lee Roth and his overgrown hormones. Fingertips catch the ear on "Top Jimmy," about the ultimate rock and roll singer who sings "So good that the roof fell in and he didn't even stop the show." I'm positive that this is D.L.R.'s mirrored image of himself and his acceptable vocal conditions.

The album ends with Van Halen doing what they do best, out of control rock and roll. "Girls Gone Bad" sums this up with Edward casting every spell and trick in the book. The final, "House of Pain," which is slightly indiscussible in this newspaper.

1984 is THE best Van Halen album in a seemingly long eternity.

This abum proves by far that Edward Van Whalin' is THE best rock guitarist. Oh joy of joys, at last, real rock and roll.

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