Review Summary: 1984 is the record where Van Halen showed everyone they were THE band, commercially, but more important, musically.
He was out, delivering newspapers in order to pay for his drumkit. So, his older brother Alex saw the chance to "borrow" it and play. Once he find out (Alex was clearly a better drummer) he said: "well, i´ll play the guitar", and rock history changed forever.
Years later, the Van Halen brothers, along with bass player Michael Anthony and legendary frontman David Lee Roth, were the biggest band of the world. Eddie (the younger brother) blew every guitarists minds and changed the guitar rules for good with every album. Since one of the best debut albums ever (regarded by this fellow rocker as the best VH record) they managed to fuel the scene with amazing tunes. VH II was VH I perfect sequel. Women and Children First was wild and more experimental. Fair Warning is a harder, darker guitar driven record, cementing Eddie´s fame as a true guitar hero. Well, they started to argue while they made Diver Down just for fun.
Now it was 1984. David (and producer Ted Templeman) were hesitant about the idea of a Guitar Hero playing... keyboards? Well, keyboards were around since 1980, but never in the spotlight as Edward wanted. As we all know, the guitarist´s will prevailed. They released MCMLXXXIV and took the world by surprise... again. And big time... again.
1984 is often regarded as their musical pinnacle. Despite i like VH I more, i have to agree. Here is why.
I imagine how was for a VH fan the exact moment he took home his brand new copy and play it to listen a pure synthesizer intro. After the "what the hell" moment, he´d probably enjoyed the tune (probably feeling a little bit guilty). Poor kid, he did not see what was coming. Jump.
I guess most of us Van Halen followers love and hate Jump. I personally hate this song because everytime i talk to a non hard rocker person about Van Halen, he/she always hits back: "Van Halen? oh yes, i heard Jump!". And that´s all they heard. Of course, they think VH is just an eigthies hair band. Yes, i hate that song for that.
But Jump is a terrific song. Showcases all we love about this band. Eddie declared his love for music, not just Rock. And it has absolutely fine guitar parts also. The solo is pure wizardry. Rhythm section is as live as ever, and Roth lyrics and performance is better than ever. You can´t help yourself and love this song.
The second single back in 1984 was I´ll wait, another synth-driven song. Catchy. Very eighties indeed. I really enjoy Alex drumming on this one, and the way the guitar solo makes his way.
Luckily for hard rockers, we didn´t lose our favorite band in a sea of keyboards. Panama is one hell of a song. Eddie, our hero, was an amazing soloist. But he is, and i´ll be profane and say even better as riff maestro. And Panama is exhibit A. It has not one, but two absolutely great riffs in just 30 seconds of the song. Then we can hear his Lambo.
This record also has a song called "Hot for Teacher". Is hard to take a song with that title seriously, but you have to. This one is Eddie´s finest moment, and also Alex´s. And the rest of the band as well. Hot for Teacher is the main drummer fan´s argument to defend Alex as prime drummer. David and Mike never sounded greater than this. And Eddie... oh man, that riff. Funny, catchy, unique. The only thing that tops that riff is the solo, the best in-a-song Edward solo.
1984 is often divided between this very well known tracks and the rest of the album. But don´t be naive. Here you won´t find any filler track. Top Jimmy and Drop Dead Legs are amazing songs, absolutely well written and executed. Girl Gone Bad, the tune Eddie wrote in a closet, is another masterclass. And then they closed this record with a heavier song, House of Pain, ala On Fire. All four members were at the top of their games. Alex was hitting hard and precise, Mike grooves and rhythm foundation is superb and Diamond Dave proved everyone he was not just the best frontman at that time, but terrific vocalist as well.
They never achieved this level again, and i´m not a Van Hagar hater, i do like them a lot too.
