Best Track On Van Halen II

assault_attack wrote:

Light Up the Sky

This came on one of my comps on the way home from work tonight.

corplhicks wrote:

Almost went with the wonderfully crafted and rather different Women in Love, but had to show love for Dance the Night Away. That song simply sweats everything Los Angeles. In fact, I had it full blast driving down there this weekend before the Metal Church concert. It was a perfect pairing. And those wind chime-style tappings that Ed does before the last chorus is so beautiful.

I can understand the love for Doctor. It's a wild ride with a punchy riff. In fact, I believe it used to be my favorite at one point.

This is such a wonderful album through and through.

One of the things about VHII that I really like is the guitar "tricks" EVH uses throughout the album that aren't as obvious as on the debut. They seem to be more interwoven throughout the tapestry of the songs on VHII and your example on "Dance The Night Away" is a perfect example.

Beautiful Girls gets me everytime!

^^Very Nice!^^

akeldama wrote:

^^Very Nice!^^

Another observation. I've always called II Van Halen's "Happy Album." Something that is displayed best in Bottoms Up when Dave starts giggling. It's 31 minutes of nothing but smiles, save for maybe DOA and the opener. Ed's tone is a little more controlled here than on the debut--his dummy load config used on the debut was dropped for this album, so they had to work a lot harder to tame volume levels--and there's something smoother and brighter about the guitar tones. As you said, Akel, his dynamics were really trippy here and spiced things up a bunch. I'm still wishing I could've been a fly on the wall for when he brought together all the parts for Women in Love. What an unconventional, somewhat odd, and very beautiful number.

And Dave is just a big dorky goof on Beautiful Girls. "I LOVE EM! I NEED EM! CAN'T DO WITHOUT EM, NNO!" The whole affair ending with a kiss still leaves me all LOL.

Van Halen II is definitely my favorite album. Great album from beginning to end. Favorite tune would have to be "Dance the Night Away".

I remember, about 15 years ago, being in this city club...tough side of town...and belting out " Dance The Night Away - on Karaoke night - a Thursday night type crowd - rowdy night - rowdy people - beer and whiskey flowing everywhere - and I nailed it People gave me a shout of applause.
I used to play the song on Les Paul guitar and sing it in a trio band in High School....but was surprised that I still, relatively, had it.

corplhicks wrote:

Another observation. I've always called II Van Halen's "Happy Album." Something that is displayed best in Bottoms Up when Dave starts giggling. It's 31 minutes of nothing but smiles, save for maybe DOA and the opener. Ed's tone is a little more controlled here than on the debut--his dummy load config used on the debut was dropped for this album, so they had to work a lot harder to tame volume levels--and there's something smoother and brighter about the guitar tones. As you said, Akel, his dynamics were really trippy here and spiced things up a bunch. I'm still wishing I could've been a fly on the wall for when he brought together all the parts for Women in Love. What an unconventional, somewhat odd, and very beautiful number.

And Dave is just a big dorky goof on Beautiful Girls. "I LOVE EM! I NEED EM! CAN'T DO WITHOUT EM, NNO!" The whole affair ending with a kiss still leaves me all LOL.

Glower wrote:

I remember, about 15 years ago, being in this city club...tough side of town...and belting out " Dance The Night Away - on Karaoke night - a Thursday night type crowd - rowdy night - rowdy people - beer and whiskey flowing everywhere - and I nailed it People gave me a shout of applause.
I used to play the song on Les Paul guitar and sing it in a trio band in High School....but was surprised that I still, relatively, had it.