Diver Down: Van Halen

Features
By ( Classic Rock ) published

On April 14, 1982 Van Halen released DIver Down, one of their most underrated albums. Here's a reassessment that appeared in Classic Rock issue 72

Why it’s underrated: “It’s got too many covers and too many fillers.” That was the complaint when Van Halen released Diver Down in 1982

But actually listen to this record, and what you find is an album that gets closer to the philosophy and spirit of the band than any of their others except for the debut and 1984.

It has energy, humour, attitude, and an in-your-face live feel that really does bring the band into your boudoir. And the cover of (Oh) Pretty Woman is one of the great covers. If you don’t understand Diver Down, then you don’t ‘get’ the essence of the David Lee Roth-era Van Halen.

(Oh) Pretty Woman

Classic Rock
Classic Rock

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