Great Metal Albums of 1988: Bullet Boys

Yet another album which I missed back in the day but was made aware of it by one of you out there. As far as I know, Bullet Boys might have been a sensation in the US but they never made an impact in the UK. That’s my excuse for missing them back in the day and I’m sticking with it. Still, they say it’s better late than never and after listening to this debut album, I’m glad that I finally got to experience them.

Bullet Boys come out firing on all cylinders with “Hard As a Rock.” It’s a throat grabbing opener and lets you know that these guys are out to rock you. This is immediately followed by the single, “Smooth Up In Ya.” My initial thought was that this tune was too high energised to be a single given the music environment at the time. This song just rocks, pure and simple. With that title, I’m surprised that this song wasn’t on some sort of PMRC hit list. So, two songs in and I’m enjoying the album very much.

A “Working for the Weekend” percussion intro brings in “Owed to Joe.” This track is a little slower and more 80s metal sounding, not that that’s ever a bad thing. Returning to the musical climate of the time, one would have thought this one might have been the single because of said vibe. Nevertheless, the song still kicks ass, the guitar solo especially. Afterwards, we move on to the very Van Halen sounding “Shoot the Preacher Down,” which gets my vote for hidden gem. I can definitely imagine Van Halen playing this. The singer does his best DLR and the guitars are Eddie inspired. Then the rhythm section is definitely Michael and Alex cloned. Maybe because the song sounds like one of my favourite VH songs, “Hot For Teacher,” is the reason I like it so much.

However the band doesn’t rest on their laurels. Midway through the album, we get a metalized cover of the O’Jays classic, “For the Love of Money.” I don’t know how the O’Jays might have felt about the cover but I sure like it. The guitar work of Mick Sweda and bass of Lonnie Vincent reigns supreme here. As we head to the second half of the album, we get my least favourite track, “Kissin’ Kitty.” It’s in no way a bad song, it just doesn’t reach the heights the other songs on the album do. It has this ‘all been done before’ vibe to it even though the Bullet Boys play it very well.

If the mentioned hidden gem wasn’t on the album, then the track “Hell On My Heels” would have been bestowed the honour. While a slower neo-blues song where the rhythm section shines, the song still is able to knock your socks off. It has a cool guitar solo but I think what kept it from being the gem is down to my belief that singer Marc Torien tries too hard to be Joe Cool metal singer. Quarterback signals begin the fastest track, “Crank Me Up,” which they do. This song is what Van Halen might sound like if they went speed metal. Furthermore, I’m really beginning to like Mick as a guitarist.

Some very interesting guitar riffs, bass notes and drum fills bring in penultimate track, “Badlands.” It’s short and to the point but catchy nonetheless. Closer “F#9” begins as if it’s not going to be a closer. However, that changes as the song progresses. The tempo changes to more of a wind down vibe as the song and the album is heading for its natural conclusion. Still, we get one last cool guitar solo from Mick. Overall, I’m impressed.

Track Listing:

1. Hard As a Rock
2. Smooth Up In Ya
3. Owed to Joe
4. Shoot the Preacher Down
5. For the Love of Money
6. Kissin’ Kitty
7. Hell on My Heels
8. Crank Me Up
9. Badlands
10. F#9

Marc Torien- lead vocals

Mick Sweda- lead guitar, backing vocals

Lonnie Vincent- bass, backing vocals

Jimmy D’Anda- drums

Yes, I regret missing the Bullet Boys self titled debut album back in 1988. I got to hear it now and while, in spite of Tee-Bone Man and Superdekes’ adventures, I can’t go back in time. Still, I think it’s a great album.

Next post: Winger

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: David Lee Roth- Skyscraper

My first thought when I heard David Lee Roth’s album, “Skyscraper,” was whether or not it was simply going to be a rehash of his successful debut solo album, “Eat ‘Em and Smile.” I do hear similarities between the opening track, “Knucklebones” and the previous album’s opener, “Yankee Rose,” although that was Dave’s first big single. Also there is the fact that there is no pre-song banter which Dave is famous for. So, I won’t say that “Skyscraper” is a carbon copy of the previous album, Dave does pretty much stick to the formula.

Dave’s big hit for this album comes with the second track, “Just Like Paradise.” This was a huge hit for him and even charted in the UK, so Dave did something right with this song. It’ is very catchy and the backing vocals are a throwback to the Van Halen days and another point, guitarist Steve Vai is let off the lead more and allowed to play a few more solos. I really like his guitar work on “The Bottom Line.” While the lead guitar on the intro gives me the impression that the song would be a good closer, it goes into that swagger style which suits Dave to a tee. However, it’s Steve’s guitar work and Billy Sheehan’s bass line which does it for me.

Further reassurance that this album is not a carbon copy of the previous is that Dave sings a ballad. I always knew that Dave was capable of one but he does do a damn good job on “Damn Good.” Yeah, pun intended, so what? I can imagine many a young lady and a few men as well went all doughy eyed when they heard this one. It’s a total acoustic ballad and again, Steve gets an assist for his acoustic guitar playing. However between the two songs come what might be a misstep on the album. The title cut is just a little too synth pop for me. Dave sings well and there is some great guitar work from Steve and a cool bass line from Billy but the song doesn’t do it for me.

“Hot Dog and a Shake” is a fun rock tune which keeps things ticking along nicely. It’s the heaviest song on the album and it’s good that Dave shows he still has a sense of humour. Definitely, the hidden gem on the album with Steven’s best guitar solo. The remaining tracks all are similar to the funky, rock sound from the first album, but not carbon copies. Though I won’t call it a misstep, “Hina” is one song that just doesn’t totally click for me. However, the other three songs are good so that it doesn’t matter. Billy’s bass is king on “Stand Up.” “Two Fools a Minute” is an excellent closer, it reminds me of the closer on “Van Halen II,” “Beautiful Girls.” Not quite the same, “Beautiful Girls” is more heavy rock while “Two Fools a Minute” is more funky jazz but it has that same cool album closing vibe.

Track Listing:

1. Knucklebones
2. Just Like Paradise
3. The Bottom Line
4. Skyscraper
5. Damn Good
6. Hot Dog and a Shake
7. Stand Up
8. Hina
9. Perfect Timing
10. Two Fools a Minute

David Lee Roth

Dave’s band

David Lee Roth- vocals

Steve Vai- guitar, horn

Billy Sheehan- bass, backing vocals

Greg Bissonette- drums, percussion, backing vocals

Brett Tuggle- keyboards, backing vocals

Additional Backing Vocals:

Gary Falcone- tracks 1 and 9

Joe Pizzulo- track 1

Tommy Funderburk, Tom Kelly- track 2

John Batdorf- track 5

Magic Moreno- track 10

In 1988, Dave was riding high on a wave of two killer albums. While there is evidence of interfering producers trying to make him sound more of the time, Dave still did what Dave did best with “Skyscraper.” Having a great band behind him helped a lot as well.

Next post: Saxon- Destiny

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Great Rock/Metal Albums of 1988: Van Halen- OU812

When I heard Van Halen’s eighth studio album, “OU812,” the second album with Sammy Hagar on the vocals, I was greatly relieved that they were heading away from the keyboard influenced “5150.” Okay, I’ll be the first one to admit that it’s nowhere near as heavy as their first four albums but at least it was a step back in the right direction. My speculations as to why is that possibly Eddie realized he was much more proficient with the guitar and possibly he wasn’t so whipped by Valerie. Anyway, I enjoyed the album.

With that said, the first two tracks on the album had me wondering otherwise. Both are keyboards infused but the big difference is that on the second track, “When It’s Love,” Eddie does rip a guitar solo, something he didn’t do enough of on the previous album. Guitar solo aside, the rest of that song has a really catchy melody and Sammy’s vocals bring extra meat to the table. I can see why it was a top selling single, number 5 in the US and 28 in the UK. Another song which follows this format is “Feels So Good.” It has a 1980s synth pop intro but when it gets going it’s pretty good and a great guitar solo, ala Eddie, definitely helps.

Unlike “5150’s” half and half split between hard rocking and synth songs, “OU812” goes seven to three in favour of the hard rock. That starts right away with a blinder of a rock song, “A.F.U. (Naturally Wired.)” When I heard this one, I simply shouted out, “That’s more like it!” Then you get the slower but powerful, “Cabo Wabo.” The chords just pound away and the backing vocals, rhythm section and guitar licks are just superb. That’s when we come to the hidden gem of the album, “Source of Infection.” The reason why I like this track so much is that it reminds me quite a lot of my all time second favourite Van Halen song, “Hot For Teacher.” It has that vibe on it and even Eddie’s guitar solo is quite similar, so for me, what’s there not to like?

Maybe “Feels So Good” was placed where it was on the album as some sort of break in the action. It does allow the listener to catch their breath before being blown away by the remainder of the album. Leading off the bombardment is “Finish What You Started.” This song is different in a good way. The guitars have more of a Southern vibe to it. The next two tracks, however, are totally blow your eardrums type metal tunes. Now, the vinyl and cassette versions of “OU812” end with “Sucker in a Three Piece Suit,” and while that’s a great track, (I like how it takes a dig at the 80s yuppie culture), I think it was a mistake. Because on the CD and streaming version, it ends with the very bluesy “Apolitical Blues” and for me, that is the best song to close out this album! It just kicks ass, I love the backing piano and it does what any good album closing song should do, make you want to come back to the album again and again.

Track Listing:

1. Mine All Mine
2. When It’s Love
3. A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)
4. Cabo Wabo
5. Source of Infection
6. Feels So Good
7. Finish What You Started
8. Black and Blue
9. Sucker in a Three Piece Suit
10. Apolitical Blues

Van Halen

Sammy Hagar- lead vocals, rhythm guitar

Eddie Van Halen- lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals

Michael Anthony- bass, backing vocals

Alex Van Halen- drums, percussion

Like I said, “OU812” was a step in the right direction for Van Halen. The album offers less synth pop and definitely some more of the hard rock which made them famous in the first place. And for those who want to rubbish Sammy, I think his vocals are spot on here!

Next post: Next post: Aerosmith- Gems

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Great Rock Albums of 1985: David Lee Roth- Crazy From the Heat

Here’s a thought, I wonder if David Lee Roth had some sort of deal with MTV back in 1984 and 85. The first video shown on the channel in 1984 was  the debut video for Van Halen’s “Jump.” One year later, the first video shown in the new year for 1985 was from the video from David’s solo album, “Crazy From the Heat,” the Beach Boys’ classic, “California Girls.” This seems too much of a coincidence for me and I wonder if David did have some sort of deal with MTV.

The first noticeable thing about “California Girls” is that it sounds nothing like the Beach Boys nor Van Halen. David puts his own spin on the song and I think he does a very good job on it. That is if you cast aside the predictable girls in bikinis video for the song. He sings very well on not just this but all songs even if sometimes one can’t take him seriously. On the other three songs on this four song EP, he departs even further from what he did with Van Halen and heavy metal in general.

With two of the remaining three songs, David tries to be a 1940s era type big band singer. Always being more the showman as opposed to the singer, his personality does burst through more than his vocal ability but he does sing very well on it. Full credit, he’s a more versatile singer than what he was often given credit for back then or even today. As for the final song, “Coconut Grove” I have always had trouble getting into that one but the reason is not down to David. Three of the four songs are good for me and it doesn’t matter that the entire EP is less than fourteen minutes.

Track Listing:

1. Easy Street
2. Medley: Just a Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody
3. California Girls
4. Coconut Grove

David Lee Roth

David Lee Roth- vocals

Dean Parks- guitar on “Coconut Grove”

Eddie Martinez, Sid McGinnis- guitars

Willie Weeks- bass

John Robinson- drums

Sammy Figueroa- percussion

James Newton Howard- keyboards on “Coconut Grove”

Edgar Winter- keyboards, saxophone, backing vocals on tracks 1&2

Brian Mann- keyboards

Carl Wilson, Christopher Cross- backing vocals on “California Girls”

David Lee Roth’s debut solo album sparked a lot of rumours in regards to his relationship with Van Halen. It has been said that the success of “Crazy From the Heat” inspired him to go solo. Maybe it did. All I know that this is a cool little album.

Next post: The Firm

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Great Rock/Metal Albums of 1984: Autograph- Sign In Please

According to a radio interview with this band, the story behind how Autograph got to record their debut album “Sign in Please,” is rather amusing. Apparently, it resulted from a bet the band made with Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth. The bet was that if Autograph could stick going on tour as a support band with Van Halen, Roth would get them a recording contract. I know for a fact that they did tour with the mighty VH in 1984 because my sister saw them in Philadelphia. She also said that they got booed off stage when one of the band members accidentally knocked over a microphone. Gee, I knew Philadelphia sports fans were tough but didn’t think music fans were like it. Anyway, despite this setback in the City of Brotherly Love, Autograph survived the tour and were rewarded with a record contract and this is where we get the debut album, “Sign in Please.”

Autograph’s best known song, “Turn Up the Radio” appears on the album. The video for it seemed to be on every time I switched on MTV in the late part of the year. Saying that, it is a good catchy song that has remained with me ever since. Not metal, definitely more melodic rock, which was the direction Van Halen seemed to be heading in at the time anyway. Most of the songs also are in the vein of “Turn Up the Radio” but because there is some heavy guitar and the association with Van Halen, Autograph have always been called heavy metal. You be the judge on that one.

The first four tracks on the album are near clones of each other. Obviously, “Turn Up the Radio” is the standout but the other three are quite good. “Send Her To Me” was the second, although less successful, single from the album and there is a cool guitar solo on “Cloud Ten” and “Night Teen and Non Stop” has a catchy vibe to it as well. Then things get a little harder with “Deep End” as the keyboards take a back seat and lead singer, Steve Plunkett, tries to be more of a metal singer. A decent effort, I have to say. However, following that is my vote for the hidden gem of the album, “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend Isn’t Me.” It too is a bit of a rocker but done better than the preceding track. A good hard rock song with just the right amount of melody. The keys are there but don’t dominate and then there’s the twist in the title that is a source of amusement. I don’t even mind the fact that it lacks a guitar solo.

Steve Pluckett proves himself to be a good singer on “Sign In Please,” when it keeps within his range. It is lead guitarist Steve Lynch whose talents seemed to not have gotten the recognition they so deserve. He shines best on the big single, “Cloud Ten” and “Feel the Thrill.” As much as keyboards are often looked down on by some for daring to appear on a metal album, one can’t deny that Steven Isham does play them very well. Keyboard and lead guitar team up very nicely on “Friday.” That, with a tidy rhythm section, one can see why this album got so much notice in 1984.

Track Listing:

1. Send Her To Me
2. Turn Up the Radio
3. Night Teen and Non Stop
4. Cloud Ten
5. Deep End
6. My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend Isn’t Me
7. Feel the Thrill
8. Friday
9. In the Night
10. All I’m Gonna Take

Autograph

Steve Plunkett- lead vocals, guitar

Steve Lynch- lead guitar, backing vocals

Randy Rand- bass, backing vocals

Steven Isham- keyboards, backing vocals

Keni Richards- drums

Autograph won a wager and as a result, we have their debut album, “Sign In Please.” Reflecting back on the time, it was a good melodic rock album in a world that was being divided into heavy metal and commercial synth pop.

Next post: Queensryche- The Warning

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Great Metal Albums of 1984: Sammy Hagar- VOA

Sammy Hagar was most definitely a busy boy in 1984. In the early part of the year, he made the one album with HSAS along with Neil Schon from Journey. When I reviewed that album, I wrote a follow up post of what music life would have been like if HSAS had stayed together and released more albums. On the plus side, there would have been a couple more great albums from that quartet and we would have have been spared from Van Hagar, whether that’s a good or bad thing is up to the individual conscience to determine. Furthermore, Neil Schon’s career would have been still going strong because Journey was fading from view by then. On the minus side, had that band remained in tact, we might have not been able to feast upon Sammy’s solo album from later on in 1984, “VOA.”

As a result of the big single from the album, Sammy would be described as the “red haired rocker who couldn’t drive fifty-five.” “I Can’t Drive 55” received constant airplay on radio and MTV, not that I ever complained about that. It is my favourite Sammy song of all time, a great tune about driving really fast. Funny thing was that I have no recollection of anyone calling for the song to be banned because it encouraged people to break speed limits. All I know is that I love that song.

Seven other songs also adorn the “VOA” album and all of them are really good. “Rock is In My Blood” is a good power song where Sammy declares that rock is in his blood and his soul. It also demonstrates that Sammy can play a guitar a little bit as well. Two songs come closest to being a power ballad here. One of them is “Two Sides of Love.” It’s not slow enough in my opinion to be a ballad but it is a song about a failing relationship. The guitars are good and the keyboards punctuate the song very effectively. Sammy’s solo is pretty good too.

Now let’s talk about the hidden gem on the album and man, do I love this song. I’m talking about “Dick in the Dirt.” The song is about a man named Richard to is a bit of a ladies’ man. The innuendo behind the lyrics is comical and remains so throughout the song. I always laugh my ass off whenever I listen to the song, even after more than thirty years! Apart from that, it is a good power song and comes with another cool guitar solo. So, I guess you could say that the song hits you from both sides.

For me, the least strongest song, (I call it such as none of the songs are weak), is the title track. Maybe it because it was used so much for patriotic purposes in the days of 80s Reagan America. Actually, it’s because the keyboards take over too much of the song. It’s good but not as much as the other seven songs. Fortunately, the last two songs are much stronger and end the album on a high. “Don’t Make Me Wait” is another song that comes near to being a power ballad but not near enough. It starts as if it’s going to be one but it just rocks. There is some great  guitar work from Sammy and the closer, “Burning Down the City,” all I can say is “Wow! What a great song to end the album with.”

Track Listing:

1. I Can’t Drive 55
2. Swept Away
3. Rock is in My Blood
4. Two Sides of Love
5. Dick in the Dirt
6. VOA
7. Don’t Make Me Wait
8. Burning Down the City

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar- lead vocals, lead guitar

Gary Pihl- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Jesse Harms- keyboards, backing vocals

Bill Church- bass, backing vocals

David Lauser- drums, backing vocals

Whatever your thoughts might be on the path Sammy Hagar took in 1984 and after, you can’t fault that “VOA” is a great solo album. Things have moved on in the past three decades and in most American states, the speed limit is above 55. Maybe the big single influenced government to raise the speed limits.

Next post: Waysted

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Great Metal Albums of 1984: Anthrax- Fistful of Metal

Normally, when I hear a band’s second album before their first one, I appreciate what a great album the debut was, even if I prefer the second one. That was the case with Twisted Sister, Van Halen and Molly Hatchet for sure. However, there’s always an exception and that comes in the form of Anthrax. My first experience with this band was the second album, “Spreading the Disease,” and you will hear me sing its praises to the heavens. Now, I in no way, shape or form, dislike Anthrax’s debut album, “Fistful of Metal,” it has some great songs which I will elaborate on in a minute. What I do think is that “Spreading the Disease” was a major improvement from this one.

The big improvement comes in the form of the lead singer. While I have nothing against the vocal ability of Neil Turbin, he does some great things on “Fistful of Metal,” it’s just I think Joey Belladonna is a far superior singer. That’s just my opinion. Therefore, I will cease the negative and go for the positive because I have always thought this was a brilliant, in your face, thrash album. In fact, I’ll change my personal history and pretend that I first heard “Fistful of Metal” when it first came out in 1984.

Power chords of Scott Ian and Dan Spitz, combined the shrieks of Neil begin the album in a totally mad metal mayhem. Even though I hadn’t yet heard the term ‘thrash,’ I would have thought that the opening song “Deathrider” comes out and grabs your attention. With the exception of Motorhead, I would have thought it was the most aggressive sound I ever heard back then. Following on immediately after is my favourite song on the album, “Metal Thrashing Mad.” It’s just as thrashy as its predecessor but there is a slight melody to the chorus and I do mean slight. Of all the tracks on the album, this one highlights Neil Turbin’s voice the best.

What I have always liked about the cover of the Alice Cooper classic, “I’m Eighteen,” is the fact that they don’t thrash it up and they pretty much stick to Alice’s formula. Hell, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The next three tracks go back to more mad thrash. It is on the tracks, “Panic” and especially “Subjugator” that I fully hear the brilliant guitar work from Dan Spitz. Also on “Subjugator,” rhythm guitarist Scott Ian has a cool guitar bit on it. It’s certainly the best song of the three and I’ve always questioned why “Soldiers of Metal” was released as a single as there are better tracks to choose from. It still gives you a good mosh. Oops, that word didn’t come out til 1985.

Scott Ian- Anthrax

“Death From Above” is my second favourite song on here. I can’t explain the semantics as to why but I really love this song. Maybe it’s how the song starts with a cool guitar solo from Dan but it just does it for me. The album concludes with “Anthrax,” followed by a very cool instrumental, “Across the River” and probably the best song for the closer, “Howling Furies.” Now there’s a song that lets you know you’ve just had year ears bashed by a cool album.

Track Listing:

1. Deathrider
2. Metal Thrashing Mad
3. I’m Eighteen
4. Panic
5. Subjugator
6. Soldiers of Metal
7. Death From Above
8. Anthrax
9. Across the River
10. Howling Furies

Anthrax

Neil Turbin- vocals

Scott Ian- rhythm guitar

Dan Spitz- lead guitar

Dan Lilker- bass

Charlie Benante- drums

Looking back at history, I now realize how important “Fistful of Metal” was in establishing Anthrax in the metal world and laying down a foundation for them to go onto to better things. The band is certainly hungry on this album, no doubt. The weird thing is that shortly after the album’s released, Dan Lilker would be forced out of the band by the same two band members whom he’d join up with a year later to make my all time favourite album. Still, that’s something to worry about in the future but if you want a thrashing good mosh, then “Fistful of Metal” is one to have.

Next post: Lee Aaron- Metal Queen

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Triumphs and Other Happenings in 1984

 

Evidence that heavy metal had truly established itself in 1984 can be sited with the 1984 Monsters of Rock Festival at Donington Park, in England. This was the first and probably only Donington to feature seven artists and you can only look at the poster here, see which bands played on draw your own conclusions as to whether or not it was a kick ass day. I wasn’t there but I know people who were and they can confirm it. The only negative comment I heard about the day was that Motley Crue had bottles thrown at them for making too many comments about sex, drugs and rock and roll. Something an opening band should probably not do. Anyway, to see Ozzy, Van Halen and AD/DC all on one stage must have been mind blowing.

I must apologize for Youtube not having any individual songs recorded from this memorable day.

Cyndi Lauper

You are probably asking yourself, “What is she doing here on an 80smetalman’s post?” Well, some misguided individuals thought that Cyndi Lauper had replaced Joan Jett or Pat Benatar as the Queen of Rock in 1984. Nonsense, I say. I will never recognize Cyndi Lauper as such and will go to my grave stating that fact. Yes, I liked “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” the very first time I heard it but afterwards, I wanted to take an Uzi to the television every time the video came on MTV. The only song from of hers I nearly liked since was “Money Changes Everything” and a few years later, grew to like “I Drove All Night” a little.

So, why is she here you ask. Back when I posted about my weekend at Download, where I went to see wrestling, I mentioned that the Rock and Wrestling Connection began in 1984 and it began with Cyndi. At the time, wrestling manager, Captain Lou Albano, claimed she managed Cyndi Lauper on wrestling shows. Cyndi refuted that claim and without going into great details, she made a challenge to Captain Lou that she could manage a wrestler better than him. So, while Lou took Women’s World Champion The Fabulous Moolah under his wing, Cyndi managed challenger Wendi Richter. I’ll leave  you to watch the video to see who won but the Rock and Wrestling Connection started here.

There was a tragedy too in 1984 but that happened at the very end of the year, so I’m saving it for the end of the 1984 tour. So here, let us reflect on the happy times with all the great heavy metal and some wrestling too.

Next post: My Underrated Band

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Your Opinion: Would It Have Been Cool if HSAS Continued After One Album?

HSAS

Thinking more about my previous post on the only album from HSAS, I continue to speculate what would it have been like if they didn’t stop at one album. In the last post, I put forward the historical evidence that Journey went completely downhill and that Sammy went onto join Van Halen and received a lot of unfair criticism for it. My feelings are that they would have gone on to make at least two more killer albums before any super group egos began to get in the way. Hopefully, I might be wrong there. So, what I’m doing is putting the question out there to the cosmos. Would any of you liked to have heard more albums from HSAS and gone to see them live? Let me know your opinions and don’t be shy! I will look at both sides of the argument with equal eyes.

Now, in two days I’ll be off to Download and have come to an interesting situation. It was my intention that on the Sunday, I was going to see the top four bands on the main stage so I can get a good position for Aerosmith. Having not seen them since 1990, I was prepared to give Slayer who are headlining on the second stage a miss. Particularly because I have seen them at Bloodstock twice in the past three years. However, Slayer will be on before Aerosmith so I do have the chance to see them. To throw a further spanner in the works, I really want to see Airbourne and Steel Panther who are on the main stage before Slayer but had not heard of the band between Steel Panther and Aerosmith, Alter Bridge, who are on when Slayer goes on. I know that I can easily move stages but I fear I won’t get a good place for Aerosmith if I do. Furthermore, I have familiarized myself with Alter Bridge and am very impressed with what I heard. So, I’m tempted to stay and see them. What would you do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Van Halen- 1984

History is the reason why I am beginning the journey through 1984 with Van Halen’s sixth album, which is also named after this same year. Going back to in time, minutes after the bells rang in 1984 as the new year, MTV started the year by playing the first single from the album, “Jump.” Like many a metalhead at the time, I wasn’t too sure about the large amount of keyboards used in the song. However, I didn’t think the song was bad and Eddie proved he knew his way around a keyboards almost as well as he does his guitar. That’s how the year started for me. I then proceeded to get rather sloppy drunk as you do on the new year.

After “Jump,” things go back to more traditional Van Halen territory, with one exception, which I’ll get to. “Panama” was also released as a single and I definitely like it more than “Jump.” Eddie works his magic with the guitar and David Lee Roth uses his mouth in the only way he knows. I’m not just talking about his singing either. I’ve always liked his talking bit in the middle of “Panama.” “I reached down and put the seat back.” It doesn’t translate well here in print but if you listen to the song, you’ll see what I mean.

“Top Jimmy” and “Drop Dead Legs” are both good songs and I like the little guitar bits done on both songs. However, whenever I hear “Drop Dead Legs,” my mind immediately goes to when I heard the song used in an episode of “Family Guy.” For those who don’t know, it’s the episode where Brian and Stewie travel to a parallel universe and find a world where Meg is hot.

Drop Dead Legs played to this scene

Another good thing about both of those songs is that they lead beautifully to my favourite song on the album, “Hot for Teacher.” Every thing you loved about Van Halen is found on this song. Roth’s little quips between the verses and don’t forget, he can sing some too. Eddie plays the longest solo of all the songs on the album and very well too and of course we can never forget the rhythm section of Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen. While these two remain tight on the whole album, they seem especially so on “Hot forTeacher.”

After my favourite song comes the other exception. “I’ll Wait” is another keyboard dominated song but I never disliked it. If Van Halen had been making albums in the 1970s, many people would have used this song to label them a progressive rock band. Still, Eddie plays a decent solo on it. “I’ll Wait” leads the way for the album to go out on the good foot. I do like the intro on “Girl Gone Bad” and “House of Pain” is a suitable closer. For me, though I hadn’t listened to “Diver Down” at the time, I still drew the conclusion that “1984” was three steps up from it. Now that I have listened to that album, I will stay say that this one is the better album.

Track Listing:

1. 1984
2. Jump
3. Panama
4. Top Jimmy
5. Drop Dead Legs
6. Hot for Teacher
7. I’ll Wait
8. Girl Gone Bad
9. House of Pain

Van Halen

David Lee Roth- lead vocals

Eddie Van Halen- guitar, keyboards, backing vocals

Michael Anthony- bass, backing vocals

Alex Van Halen- drums, backing vocals

This was how my 1984 began. There aren’t too many better ways to ring in a new year but what I do know now is that Van Halen’s “1984” opened the port hole to all the great music that would come our way in this year.

Next post: U2- Under a Blood Red Sky

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