Women and Children First

What a way to kick off a new decade of rock! The same decade that gave us a ton of great rock, as great as it was, never really lived up to the Van Halen mythology. An immigrant-brother bar band with a tenor bass player and a wacky lead singer that should have starred in silent movies—if he came of age a generation earlier—produced music that people still talk about with awe. Eddie Van Halen was the spark that fueled this band that God providentially gave the world. Women and Children First is so unlike VH’s first two albums with the notable exception of EVH’s musical artistry and virtuosity. But it’s Van Halen through and through nonetheless, raw as can be, caring not a whit about radio play or a music critic’s acclaim. Looking back one can see that Women and Children was the necessary link bridging the Eruption heard ‘round the world, it’s sequel, and the shock and awe that was Fair Warning. 1980-81 was the apex of DLR-era Van Halen.

This album captures the rawest and most honest essence of the David Lee Roth era VH. Here’s a group of incredibly gifted artists who spent years honing their craft as a bar band, yet those roots don’t really surface much on any VH album…except this one. From the atomic blues power of Romeo Delight and Fools, to the anthems And the Cradle Will Rock and Everybody Wants Some, there’s is a loose but focused power to these songs. The tunes are not overproduced, in fact, they don’t really sound produced at all. It’s as if Producer Ted Templeman and engineer Don Landee threw some mics up and hit record. That’s a good thing though, because we get to hear what the band REALLY sounded like. Raw. Powerful. Relentless. Let’s not forget In A Simple Rhyme and Could This Be Magic, two songs that defy categorization, they are pure Van Halen artistry. Often imitated, never equaled. This album is mostly deep cuts, and they are incredible sonic monuments to the Original Four and their mastery of all things Hard Rock. Make this your soundtrack to 2022. Rock on…

Purchased this album then after a month two songs won’t play and prompt stating “Not authorized for this device”. I am done with you iTunes, back to vinyl

This is another great Dave album Could this be magic or in a simple rhythm

This is by far the best VH made with DLR. The boys come into their own...Romeo Delight and Everybody Wants Some blasting from my speakers pulling into HS. The good ole days!!

The good old days, not a care in the world... Van Halen blasting out of my under powered car stereo.... man, if I could go back in time....

This is Van Halen when they were the best. Raw and powerful.

Both!! Van Halen absolutely freaking rock without keyboards. 1984 and Diver Down are less satisfying, as is Hagar on vocals. Roth fits the band much better especially great on MS and WACF.

Again the boys tear it up and put out another beast of album. DLR vocals again are amazing. Not sure why so many say he never had range

Again VH at its best