Fair Warning

If you don’t like this album then you need to switch tastes in music !!!

… and that’s saying something! The musical genius, Eddie Van Halen, proves his prowess on this album, if one was tempted to think he hadn’t already. Fair Warning is every bit the juggernaut 40 years later. There are very few rock albums that have the same punch several decades after their initial release. FW is definitely one of them. The VH album that comes the closest to Fair Warning in its unique musical mastery is OU812 with Sammy Hagar. VH’s fourth and eighth albums are their most underrated, by far. The songs are heavy and slow, meaning, they’re not blazing fast, save, arguably, One Foot Out The Door. The space between chords and beats gives the listener space, and time, to absorb the sonic power of the songs. I could play this album a dozen times consecutively and it wouldn’t get old. This fact, along with many other arguments, which would take too much space, places this work in extremely rarified air, in my opinion.

Incredibly heavy. Eddie's guitar playing absolutely shreds on this album.

This is one of the best rock albums ever. Period. RIP EVH.

I love everything about Van Halen! From their Southern California roots to their laid back party-all-the-time persona to their non-stop passionate hard-driving work ethics pumping out a new album every year supported by a world tour. They embody everything American youth is made up of. A bygone era in music that may never been seen again and a band who’s charisma and sound will never be matched.

Many great artists and musicologists have championed the greatness of VH’s classic fourth album. They don’t typically scribe iTunes reviews though, so for the uninitiated, here goes... To understand just how amazing this album is, several factors must be highlighted. Firstly, VH was not a new band at this point. They were seasoned not only by years of playing clubs, but by several years of touring incessantly and recording professionally. This heightened level of experience honed their incredible talent even further. This is how great bands become legends. The result is “Fair Warning”, a batch of songs that showcase a world class band firing on all cylinders. By 1981, VH knows what works for them. When it makes sense, they double down on the “sure thing” ingredients that will dazzle fans and deliver classic songs like “Mean Streets” “So This Is Love” and “Unchained”. It’s all there: the classic EVH riffs, the wordsmith swashbuckling of Roth and the grinding, shake your money maker groove that only Michael and Alex can hold down. So...where do songs like “Hear About It Later”, “Sinners Swing”, “Dirty Movies” and “One Foot Out the Door” fit? They only fit on this album. They are glorious creative and unique soundscapes birthed from of a moment in time. A moment where a band at their peak is confident enough in their art to take chances and truly explore and shatter the limits of their abilities. They surprised even themselves. Bet Dave would agree if he was ever asked. There are very rare moments when the world’s best rock bands create not their best album, but the one that defines them. It’s not the one with all the hits or even the best performances. But, it defines the soul, the essence of the band. For Queen it was “Queen II”. For Zeppelin it was “Physical Graffiti”. For Pink Floyd it was “Animals.” For Van Halen, it’s “Fair Warning.” As the world grapples with the immeasurable loss of Edward Van Halen, do something good for yourself and for the legacy of the Mighty VH. If you’re a fan, Revisit this album and celebrate the genius. If you’re new to VH and curious where to begin the journey, start here. You’re gonna like where the music takes you. Promise. Rock on...

Rest in peace Eddie Van Halen. Thank you for your music and inspiration and your overall contribution to music. Eddie did things no one even thought about doing on the guitar. He blew the door open for what can humanly be possible. There are a million guitar players that try to emulate his style but there was only one Eddie Van Halen. Just check out the opening licks to “Mean Street” and “Unchained”. There’s so many other great tracks on this album. Not one bad song on this album at all! Highly recommended listening!

An under appreciated gem!

Fantastic album. Not a weak tune!

I love this album. It has to be top 3 for me. Sinners swing is my favorite song on this album. Just really good rock n roll.