From TampaBay.com:
A few days ago a listener to our Stuck in the ’80s podcast hit us with a seismic question: If you could travel back in time, what band would you want to see perform in its prime with its original lineup? Now, instead of saying the Beatles or Sly Stone or something critic-snobby like Big Star, I blurted, “Van Halen circa the 1984 album!” Reasons for this curious blurtation are myriad, but the main one is that I was a randy teen in 1984 and Dave, Eddie, Alex and Michael were the fun, bawdy embodiment of sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll — aka the antithesis of my safe, corduroyed life.
ANYWAY, a few days after this reader question, I received a large box from Rhino Records. Call it serendipity, call it the rock gods doing me a solid, but I was supernaturally gifted with a parcel of remastered vinyl, beautiful recreations of classic LPs. The Stooges’ Fun House was in there, so was Curtis Mayfield’s Super Fly soundtrack. But the best of the bunch were three Van Halen records, all of which Rhino released this week: VH II, Women and Children First (which comes with an original poster of a shirtless, shackled Diamond Dave) and, you guessed it, 1984. The latter doesn’t have any bonus goodies, although the 180 gram vinyl and the iconic cover of that smoking cherub are treat enough. And of course there’s the fun, below-the-belt, burnin’-loins rock. I’ll stir it up and say the best track on 1984 isn’t Hot for Teacher, Jump or Panama; it’s Drop Dead Legs.
All 3 Van Halen vinyl reissues are now in stock and shipping at Van Halen Store. Order by midnight on Sunday, Dec 19th for guaranteed delivery via Priority Mail. (USA customers only).
- Remastered from the Original Analog Master Tapes by Kevin Grey at Acoustech Mastering, using Half-Speed Mastering for superior sound. True Audiophile-Quality!
- Pressed with more care than ever on high quality 180 gram (180g) weight vinyl for longer life and superior sound
- Features all original artwork & packaging
Most experts agree that the richness and depth of the original master tapes is truly captured only on vinyl. These are worth buying a turntable for!
 Van Halen II 180-gram RTI Vinyl LP $24.95 |
 Women And Children First 180-gram RTI Vinyl LP $24.95 CLASSIC DAVID LEE ROTH POSTER INCLUDED! By photographer Helmut Newton! |
 1984 180-gram RTI Vinyl LP $24.95 |
 Set of the 3 new 180-gram RTI Vinyl LPs $74.94 $64.94 SAVE on the 3 new Van Halen 180-gram vinyls! |
 Set of All Four 180-gram RTI Vinyl LPs $99.92 $89.92 SAVE on all 4 Van Halen 180-gram vinyls! |
 Van Halen 180-gram RTI Vinyl LP $24.95 |