Van Halen - Diver Down - Album Review!

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  • Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
  • Rolling Stone gave Diver Down two stars. Here, I ask the question, 'What do they know?!' Join me for a deep 'dive' into an album that is sure to get the party started!
    Please feel free to add a comment or start a conversation, especially if you love this album as much as I do!
    If you would like to listen to my instrumental composed in tribute to the late great Eddie Van Halen, please click here: • EV - The Institute of ...
    As always, thanks for watching!

КОМЕНТАРІ • 412

  • @TheInstituteofPop
    @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +23

    As many comments have pointed out, Secrets is a great song...and definitely not 'bland'! I totally agree! Thanks to everyone who has joined in with their insight and enthusiasm.

    • @Scottocaster6668
      @Scottocaster6668 Місяць тому +1

      That metallic sound during INTRUDER, I read Eddie used a Shlitz Malt liquor can over the pickups.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      @@Scottocaster6668 Wow! That kinda makes sense! Thanks for contributing…🙏

    • @fivestring65ify
      @fivestring65ify 19 днів тому +2

      Full bug is great too.

    • @davidsthubbins176
      @davidsthubbins176 2 дні тому

      Now that I'm at that age when I find myself gravitating towards easy listening, Secrets is my go-to song on DD. I love this album, and it will always have a special place in my heart. It was my first VH album, and I bought it in 1982 when I was 12 years old. Shortly thereafter, I became obsessed and had to own every album. I think Full Bug is as good as anything from the first four albums.

  • @Bill-hj5ll
    @Bill-hj5ll 22 дні тому +5

    I'm really happy to see there are people who love this album as much as I do. I love Eddie 's guitar tone on this one. There is nothing bad to say about it.

  • @VanHalenStarWars
    @VanHalenStarWars Місяць тому +35

    This album is very strong. Take it for what it is. The originals are classic. Hang em High is sick.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +5

      Totally agree about Hang 'Em High! So right, the album is what it is. Thanks for joining in!

    • @rjg2112
      @rjg2112 Місяць тому +1

      Absolutely agree!

    • @MrOctober44
      @MrOctober44 Місяць тому +2

      Hang em high is great..... and that's about It.

    • @BillDollar777
      @BillDollar777 Місяць тому +4

      ​@@MrOctober44 Secrets?

    • @fivestring65ify
      @fivestring65ify 19 днів тому +3

      ​@@TheInstituteofPopFull bug is a killer.

  • @seanpaul3954
    @seanpaul3954 29 днів тому +5

    Hand Em High and Little Guitars are my favorite VH songs. Eddies tone is his career best on this album and the drums sound amazing and high up in the mix I also feel like on Where Have All the Good Times Gone ,Dave's voice sounds the best it ever did....all just my personal opinion,of course :)
    Great video, nice to see this album getting some love.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  29 днів тому

      Thanks for such a wonderful reply! Like you, I love Diamond Dave's vocals on this album, he's rocking! What a great album, cheers! 🙏

    • @Movie-Collectibles
      @Movie-Collectibles 8 днів тому

      I love the extro to Where have all the good times gone. Blistering rhythm.

  • @sanclerribeiro4731
    @sanclerribeiro4731 Місяць тому +3

    Diver Down was the first album I ever bought. Used to listen to it every day after school, a few times, driving my parents nuts.
    I love it to this day. It changed my life.

  • @2216sammy
    @2216sammy Місяць тому +5

    I love this album , the Full Bug and Hang em high has some of the best rhythm playing ever.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +2

      @@2216sammy Totally agree! Thanks for contributing! 🙏

    • @rjg2112
      @rjg2112 Місяць тому +1

      EVH was an outstanding rhythm player, as well as an all around musician. R.I.P.

    • @denisfrench1389
      @denisfrench1389 Місяць тому

      Well said, totally agree

  • @peterhelmer6252
    @peterhelmer6252 Місяць тому +4

    Diver Down is such a summer sounding album! Not their best but still underated

  • @craigcole9133
    @craigcole9133 15 днів тому +5

    Absolutely love this album! Hang em High !

  • @VanHalenStarWars
    @VanHalenStarWars Місяць тому +3

    Greetings from Detroit rock city.
    Nice to see VH getting some love from across the pond. 🤘

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +1

      Hello, Detroit! Thanks for joining in. Plenty of love for this album from Australia! Time to reacquaint myself with the rest of their records...

  • @AltonW521
    @AltonW521 Місяць тому +6

    “Little Guitars”🎸 is a masterpiece. “Secrets” is a great one too.🎵

  • @user-wp4cs6eg8q
    @user-wp4cs6eg8q Місяць тому +6

    The absolute hidden gem on this album is Secrets. Such a beautiful feel good summer road trip tune, totally under appreciated and overlooked. The song is actually very sophisticated.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +1

      @@user-wp4cs6eg8q I was too hard on Secrets. Love the feel… and that solo by Eddie…fantastic! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

    • @ciretose2
      @ciretose2 Місяць тому +2

      Eddie said that Secrets was his favorite song on the album during a Jas Oberecht interview.

    • @user-wp4cs6eg8q
      @user-wp4cs6eg8q Місяць тому

      @@ciretose2 I never knew that! I love it such a sweet tune, Alex brings that swing, Dave’s lyrics and soulful delivery, Michael Anthony does some really nice bass work, and Ed’s song writing skills really shines with that bridge and all the transitions, a hidden gem for sure!

  • @DjangoPorter
    @DjangoPorter Місяць тому +5

    I love this album it's so unique

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      It's definitely a fave for me. Thanks for engaging! 🙏

  • @OzricTentaclesRule
    @OzricTentaclesRule Місяць тому +3

    Great review... this Album also has what I feel is some of Eds perfect tone... but that doesnt take it away from anything else by any stretch... After the Darker tone on Fair Warning this was that nice twinkle between the former and 1984... it was nice to see your enthusiasm for this one :)

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      Thanks so much for the kind words! 🙏 It's absolutely part of my musical soundtrack. Love Eddie's tone too! ❤️

  • @indivisibleman
    @indivisibleman 6 днів тому +6

    I love Diver Down. I think it's a Masterpiece and I could not possibly care less who disagrees with me.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  5 днів тому +1

      Glad it’s not just me! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

    • @davidsthubbins176
      @davidsthubbins176 2 дні тому

      Eddie disagrees with us. 😉

    • @indivisibleman
      @indivisibleman 2 дні тому

      @@davidsthubbins176 That's okay. I do think he topped it with 1984. He owes us nothing. Dude was the Santa Claus of electric guitar. I hope he has the peace he needed now. He added to the musical conversation like very few ever do. His achievements far outweigh his struggles 1000 to 1.

  • @MAG-li5jo
    @MAG-li5jo Місяць тому +6

    I love that record and Little Guitars is worth the price of admission all by itself.

  • @rjg2112
    @rjg2112 Місяць тому +6

    Diver Down is awesome, on my regular play rotation!

  • @robertdefex3439
    @robertdefex3439 14 днів тому +6

    The best guitar tone is on diver down😢

  • @aladinsarsipeus
    @aladinsarsipeus Місяць тому +4

    2 words: Fair Warning

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +1

      @@aladinsarsipeus Seems to be a huge favourite! Looking forward to having another listen. Thanks for the tip!🙏

    • @Movie-Collectibles
      @Movie-Collectibles 8 днів тому

      LORD strike that poor boy down 😂😁

  • @greyman334
    @greyman334 5 днів тому +3

    I'm a bit younger than most VH diehards. Eruption wasn't what I heard first. I was around 10 years old when Jump dropped and I was hooked immediately! I wore out my first1984 cassette and had to save up to buy another. The next VH cassette I got was Diver Down because I liked the cover and it was a couple dollars cheaper in the discount bin. I love it! Hang em High kills as a heavy metal song and it is never talked about.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  5 днів тому

      Such a cool memory, and I totally agree about Hang 'Em High. It kicks! Cheers! 🙏

  • @tomjulian7226
    @tomjulian7226 Місяць тому +2

    saw this tour in Phoenix. General admission at the Colosseum. What good times. I was front row against the barricade in front of Eddie. My god it was insanely loud and Eddie was going nuts. During his guitar solo he would run at his speaker cabinets and just slam into them while shredding With a big ol smile on his face of course. Wish i could go back in time. The album gets slagged a lot but it brings nothing but good memories for me.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      What an awesome memory... jealous! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

  • @johnrogan9729
    @johnrogan9729 21 день тому +3

    This might be my favorite VH record. I love it.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  21 день тому +1

      Cool, it’s definitely mine! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

  • @TheKitchenerLeslie
    @TheKitchenerLeslie Місяць тому +3

    I still feel like nobody has truly appreciated the greatness of A Different Kind of Truth. Eddie is using effects on that album I never heard him use and his playing seems to have a new gear. Dave sounds like Dave and his writing is as clever as ever.

  • @vonholland64
    @vonholland64 Місяць тому +3

    It’s absolutely killer no filler

  • @darylhance3769
    @darylhance3769 Місяць тому +6

    My favorite VH album along with Fair Warning!

  • @rdanalytics9197
    @rdanalytics9197 29 днів тому +2

    I would tell everyone that Diver Down was my favourite album and people would say that I didn't understand what "real music" was. It's light-hearted but a lot of the guitar playing is some of Eddie's best work.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  29 днів тому

      Stay strong! It's killer from start to finish. Thanks for sharing! 🙏

  • @lgmnowkondo938
    @lgmnowkondo938 7 днів тому +2

    This album has Eddie's grooviest playing ever! Fun...big band, groove...it's top notch musicianship.

  • @mattmartian1658
    @mattmartian1658 Місяць тому +2

    THis album reminds of my my mom drving me to school. I only had a few tapes in the car and this was one. I think I was in 8th grade. Also had it in my car and played it over and over for a long time. That would have been around 1987. Also had a friend who could play cathedral really close. He made it sound like it but he used his delay more than the volume knob. great album.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      What a great memory! Like you, it really is one of those albums that takes me back to a time and place. Thanks for the comment! 🙏

  • @ro307805
    @ro307805 Місяць тому +5

    One of my faves

  • @robp7729
    @robp7729 18 днів тому +2

    If you add up the originals, you only get four. Then 3 instrumentals & 5 covers. Your mileage may vary, but I think their best album for true Van Halen rock, all originals, and variety is Fair Warning. The only criticism I have about that album is that it's too short. I think Diver Down could have been more of what Fair Warning was. The covers and the instrumentals were fun, but I was a little disappointed with DD in comparison to the rest of the catalog. A friend's sister purchased it new & I borrowed it and recorded it, but it never really grew on me, but that's just my opinion. I noticed that you were a little critical of a couple of the songs on here too.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  18 днів тому

      Thanks so much for sharing your memories and insights. It ain't perfect, but I do love it. Cheers! 🙏

  • @jinky0u812
    @jinky0u812 11 днів тому +2

    I AM a dedicated Van Halen fan, and like yourself, it's my absolute favourite Roth era album! We are most definitely in the minority in that opinion. But seriously, "Little Guitars" is the best Van Halen song ever!! And all of the originals, from "The Full Bug", "Hang 'Em High", and "Secrets" are fantastic and Van Halen at it's best. But even the covers are great. I mean, let's face it, Van Halen covers are ALWAYS better than the originals!! It's the most played Van Halen album in my collection.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  11 днів тому +1

      We may be in the minority, but it's an awesome album! Listening to it again has made me want to go back to the others. Thanks for sharing! 🙏

  • @Swanlord05
    @Swanlord05 Місяць тому +4

    I love it ....Fun album

  • @user-wp4cs6eg8q
    @user-wp4cs6eg8q Місяць тому +3

    To quote Henry Rollins when talking about VH, “..even their bad songs are good…”

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      @@user-wp4cs6eg8q Gotta listen to Rollins! Cheers! 🙏

  • @chopayrussell9660
    @chopayrussell9660 Місяць тому +2

    Diver Down is a fantastic album its fun with imaginative guitar tones, ranks number two behind VH II.
    Played "Happy Trails" as my then wife and I left our reception, you should have our guests faces when they finally recognized the tune.

  • @diamondd2778
    @diamondd2778 Місяць тому +2

    Love this album! Its definitely a Roth album. It flows amazingly even though its sooooo diverse . Secrets is a 10/10. Hang em high perfecrion. Top 5 VH 4 me . I understand how people think its an a let down. But this was my 1st VH album i got . AMAZING! Album ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      So glad I am not alone in loving this album immensely! Totally agree with you about Hang 'Em High being sheer perfection. Thanks for joining in! 🙏

  • @jamyhengesbach38
    @jamyhengesbach38 29 днів тому +3

    I love Diver Down!

  • @antony5365
    @antony5365 Місяць тому +1

    Edward Van Halen once spoke in an interview about his frustration over the media’s criticism of the number of cover songs on this album. He said that he worked really hard on rearranging those songs, so it was disappointing for him that the album was dismissed by critics so arbitrarily.
    I’ve always considered the album underrated, not least because it contains my personal favourite Van Halen song, Little Guitars. That pick slide he does towards the end gets me every time.

  • @happy_jcg
    @happy_jcg 25 днів тому +2

    Little Guitars is hands down my favorite Van Halen tune. It just hits me hard.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  25 днів тому +1

      So cool. Thanks for sharing! 🙏

    • @Ontariosound
      @Ontariosound 15 днів тому

      Especially if you have ever been romantically involved with a Mexican girl 😊

  • @JohnSparkmanandBlackTopHerd
    @JohnSparkmanandBlackTopHerd 6 днів тому +2

    What a great Album, truly shows their range of talent. David Lee knows how to have fun, and this album illustrates that more than any record ever. I love the Rock feel of Secrets, Hang 'em High and the remake: Where have all the good times gone, and the other takeover-remake of Pretty Woman, it became a Van Halen song with this song! The EVH showcasing in Little Guitars, and Cathedral. David Lee does only What David can do with Big Bad Bill, Happy Trails and the second half of Little Guitars and The Full Bug. And Dancin' in the streets is a sing along that has always been cranked up on my truck radio. I loved it as a sophomore in High School, and still do!

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  5 днів тому

      Fantastic thoughts, a great review. Thanks for sharing! 🙏

  • @coreysmorgan8488
    @coreysmorgan8488 Місяць тому +3

    The covers are Bad Ass! I love it when Van Halen do covers. I love Diver Down. Never understood all the hate. "Where have all the good times gone?" Is my 2nd fave Vh song behind 5150...Big Bad Bill is just fun. I can go on and on

  • @danteantonsemaka
    @danteantonsemaka 19 днів тому +3

    Little Guitars is a great song.

  • @robf6105
    @robf6105 Місяць тому +2

    I love the album. Lots of variety. I especially love the intro to "Little Guitars" and "Little Guitars" itself. I love Ed's technique on both songs. I have never liked the cover art or title, however. Too negative. "Cathedral" was jaw-dropping back then. Their cover of the Kinks' song is awesome too.

  • @Dog-ManTribe
    @Dog-ManTribe 2 дні тому +1

    I have been a VH fan since the first time I heard them in the Fall of 1978. I've seen them countless times live with DLR & with Sammy. Both vocalist deserve compliments. When I first heard VH I was a Huge Kinks fan, it didnt matter that VH covered one of their songs.
    Van Halen brought a new twist on it & made it their own as IMO they did with all the covers they recorded. I never understand why Diver Down is so hated by critics, me & every VH fan I know lives it. It's one of my most loved albums. Who cares if there's covers on it? It's still Van Halen. And it fucking not only rocks but it shows just how much fun they had when they weren't fighting. Diver Down, & Women & Children First always takes me back to the early years, when the world was new new to me, & so was their music. We had the world by the tail, & we knew VH would last forever. I would have to go back & look but I'm pretty sure that every Van Halen album had covers on it, just not as many as DD, if not all of them did, then a majority of them did. And I still ran a needle through all of their albums time & time again.
    I always felt I was bound for something special and
    Like most HS kids I was that something special was that I was gonna be a Rock Star just like DLR no matter what. Well I never received that gift. Actually I got one that was better.
    I've since grown up, & God did give me a gift that I wouldn't trade for anything it came naturally to me, & sometimes I got treated like a rock star just for doing my job. You see I became am Expert Field Medic in the military, after I was discharged as a civilian I went on & became a Nationally Registered Critical Care Paramedic with several field accommodations, & loved every minute of my 30 year career running the trucks, & flying in the birds, working in the ER & ICU. My peers claim I was very good at my job, I thought I was just doing my job, & I felt lucky to have the opportunity to do it.
    Im retired now, my head filled with stories everyone is too busy to hear, so I mostly just sit alone & enjoy thinking of how once upon a time I was a rock star (in my own way). I can't begin to count how many calls we ran Balls to the Wall with Lights Flashing, Sirens Blaring, & VH blasting through the stereo speakers getting me & my partner pumped up & ready for whatever Hell we were fixing to be in the middle of!!!
    Call me an old softy, call me an old long hair, call me whatever you want but in those younger days it seemed like the music would just keep coming, Summers would last forever, & VH would always be the Kings of Rock & Roll! Salute to the Boys! & RIP Eddie you guys changed music, & impacted more lives than anyone will ever know.
    I can tell you there's nothing like running through rush hour traffic on a Priority 1 Life & Death Emergency call with Running with the Devil, or Everybody Wants Some, or some other VH song (or Rock song in general) blaring at 10 on the radio. There's no way my career came close to making the impact on the amount of people that VH's music did, but I know they helped me save quite a few patients, & helped me get them feeling better. So even if DLR was a shitty EMT, (Which he very much was a shitty EMT). he contributed more than he knows.
    These days I sit & do a lot of thinking about how much I miss those days being young & invincible, how much I miss the music, how much I miss saving lives, & how much I miss the way VH's & Rock music in general made me feel like I could handle whatever shit storm I was fixing to be flying through. The guys in VH were beautiful man & they made some beautiful music! And for the record (pun intended)
    Diver Down stands tall with all the other albums as Great!
    In closing I say don't take what you've been gifted for granted, I say✌to the new younger generation, stay young, & keep whatever music you love alive! And don't let other tell you what to or not to listen to. They're your ears, and it's your life!

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  2 дні тому

      Thank you so much for those amazing memories and sage words of wisdom! 🙏

  • @Slappedkat
    @Slappedkat Місяць тому +6

    VH is my favorite band. I only listen to the first 6 albums. Nothing against Hagar but for me VH ended with the departure of Roth the first time. Ive listened to all VH albums more then once and have a couple of albums released after his departure. I just have no interest listening to anything other than the first 6 albums at this point in my life. Diver Down is a weird album. I dont love any of the first 6 albums over another. I dont think there is a best or favorite. They are all different and part of the evolution of VH's sound. The early albums sound live, Fair Warning and 1984 not so much but the production is peak. They are all great albums. People hate on Diver Down. Doesnt change how I feel about it. Couldnt imagine not having a copy to listen to whenever I feel the urge.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +2

      Thanks for your insight and thoughts! DD = Diamond Dave’s influence? Wonderful album, thanks for joining in! 🙏

    • @bryanjordan4262
      @bryanjordan4262 Місяць тому

      You a fan of ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’?
      Best reunion album ever made imo!

    • @joqu6971
      @joqu6971 26 днів тому +1

      Spot on

    • @Slappedkat
      @Slappedkat 26 днів тому

      @@bryanjordan4262 I liked it. I listened to it when it was released and havent listened since. I suppose I am emotionally attached to the first albums and simply go to them whenever I want to listen to VH. I was thinking just the other day that I should sit down for the afternoon and listen to all VH albums made after 1984. Its been years (some decades) since listening to some.

    • @bryanjordan4262
      @bryanjordan4262 26 днів тому

      @@Slappedkat
      Don’t bother with Van Hagar - go straight to ADKOT! 😉🤘

  • @robertcook792
    @robertcook792 29 днів тому +2

    This is a great album. With the exception of dancing in the street. The only song out of the first 6 albums that I skip. It’s 4th on my favorite album list by VH. Full bug,big bad bill,hang ‘em hi,cathedral&secrets. Great songs. Big bad bill is awesome. Featuring Jan. What a brilliant idea for Ed to have his dad show us the influence he had on the brothers. This song proves that they were so good they could pull anything off. Thanks for your comments on this classic album.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  29 днів тому

      Thanks for such a generous reply. Love your insights and agree with you wholeheartedly! Keep rocking! 🙏

    • @dyer2cycle
      @dyer2cycle 25 днів тому

      People talk about some of the "cheezy" songs from the SH era...to me, "Dancing In The Streets" was cringeworthy when it came out...still stands as one of, if not the, cheeziest VH songs recorded..well...except maybe "How Many Say I" from VH III....

  • @jeffharris4593
    @jeffharris4593 17 днів тому +1

    This has always been my favorite. It’s just so good. They always made their covers 10 times better than the originals.

  • @whatarefriends4
    @whatarefriends4 Місяць тому +10

    It’s a masterpiece

  • @C_mao
    @C_mao 23 дні тому +1

    Cathedral is underrated. The two- hand tapping always gets mentioned as for its innovation. But for me, the volume swells/tapping mastery is so damn impressive.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  22 дні тому +1

      I agree, the volume swells are just so lush. Thanks for joining in! 🙏

  • @Jirass
    @Jirass Місяць тому +2

    I love Diver Down. All of the covers are well done and enjoyable and the originals are great.

  • @willbollman6246
    @willbollman6246 Місяць тому +3

    It's oddly enough my favorite VH album. Hang em high and little guitars are my top 2

  • @yogiblair22
    @yogiblair22 11 годин тому +1

    If it was their very first album, no one had ever heard them before, then they hear diver down, wonder how that would’ve went over

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  11 годин тому +1

      Sheer joy and rockin' happiness! Thanks for the hypothetical! 🙏

  • @MH1000a
    @MH1000a Місяць тому +2

    Great album, I've gotten 2 speeding tickets with the Full Bug playing on my stereo

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      That’s easy to understand! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

    • @kevinwilkes1963
      @kevinwilkes1963 22 дні тому

      Always thought Full Bug was underrated and I loved the whole album.

  • @captainkirk70
    @captainkirk70 14 годин тому +1

    My first VH record as a 13 year old. It was the current one. I love it. It's my #3 after II and WACF.

  • @bakeone4406
    @bakeone4406 Місяць тому +2

    Fair Warning may have the most start to finish brain warping guitar work in their catalog. It's for sure their darkest. Diver Down may have been a bit of a goof for the band, but when that era of VH just messed around and took a few chances some pretty interesting things happened. Sometimes the artist is last guy you should trust to accurately assess his work. Eddie bad mouthed Diver Down a lot but didn't ever tell the truth about the stale generic albums the band made after Roth left.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      @@bakeone4406 Definitely some interesting (and exciting) things happening on DD! Agree that sometimes an artist can get too close to their work to fully see it for what it is. Thanks for the tip on Fair Warning, it’s been a while since I last played it… 🙏

  • @robertmedrano2768
    @robertmedrano2768 15 днів тому +2

    Wanna know a “secret” ??? Listen to the intro to where have all the good times gone ( the fade in ) it’s actually the fade out of the song secrets but backwards 😳😳😳

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  15 днів тому +1

      How cool! I never knew that. Thanks for sharing! 🙏

    • @robertmedrano2768
      @robertmedrano2768 14 днів тому

      You’re welcome and keep on rockin’ 🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽🫡😎

  • @DjangoPorter
    @DjangoPorter Місяць тому +3

    Every one of their albums are. Genius and unique

    • @holland736
      @holland736 Місяць тому

      Nope Balance is dire as is VH3 songs crap and guitar playing drivel

  • @AB-iw9gr
    @AB-iw9gr 3 дні тому +1

    Summer of 82, just started driving used to go to the beach jamming this cassette,, to me it belongs in the top six and is better than any Hagar album,, the brown sound is in full force on this record.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  3 дні тому

      Great memories, great album for the car! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

  • @sparkletoo2
    @sparkletoo2 28 днів тому +2

    Secrets and Little Guitars are in my top 10 VH songs of all all time..

  • @lgmnowkondo938
    @lgmnowkondo938 7 днів тому +4

    Little Guitars should have been a hit!

  • @johnp1787
    @johnp1787 Місяць тому +1

    I've been an Van Halen fan since 1980..saw them live on the 1984 tour and they been part of my life..with all this time passing I have to say that Diver Down is my favorite Van Halen album..it has a positive feel about it..and also the ultimate Van Halen song..the song I would play to sum up the wibe from this band perfectly...Little Guitars!..come on!! That's the best Van Halen song ever!💯..Thank you 🙏

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +1

      Thanks for the comment and all the passion! Glad I’m not on my own with a total love for this great record! 🙏

  • @SidLaw500
    @SidLaw500 Місяць тому +3

    Great album!

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +1

      Cheers, I’m glad I’m not alone! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

  • @stephenlord7316
    @stephenlord7316 3 дні тому +1

    This was the album where I started liking Van Halen. I bought it in 1985 after I purchased 1984. I have bought every album ever since.
    Years later it is still great but my least favorite out of the Roth years. But if someone was wanting to get into Van Halen I would tell them Diver Down is a good place to start.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  2 дні тому

      Good advice for a starting point! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

  • @cbFIN
    @cbFIN 15 днів тому +1

    Diver Down is the first album where DLR finds his voice as a solo artist and it goes further to Crazy From The Heat. I'm glad both parties finally understood to quit it and many more great albums were made where people understood each other: 5150, Eat 'Em And Smile, OU812, Skyscraper, A 'Lil Ain't Enough, F.U.C.K. and Balance. Honorary mention to Best of Volume 1 for DLR songs and Humans Being.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  15 днів тому

      Thanks for sharing. Look out for my review of Skyscraper, coming soon! Cheers!

  • @kojam1
    @kojam1 6 днів тому +3

    My fave VH album is the one that Eddie played on!

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  5 днів тому

      A fairly failsafe strategy! Thanks for contributing 🙏

  • @erictripton
    @erictripton Місяць тому +1

    Great record, I remember when it came out. However..........I did notice something different with Edward's sound. Just something seemed to be fading out. 1984 kinda kept it going.... His roar of the first 4 albums began to change with this album.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      Thanks for your insight. I really appreciate the contribution!

  • @DTension
    @DTension Місяць тому +3

    Little Guitars slaps.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +1

      Yeah, I was a little tough on it. Duly noted, it's a great song! Thanks for engaging! 🙏

    • @DTension
      @DTension Місяць тому

      @@TheInstituteofPop All good. I just wanted to stick up for my favorite song on that record.

  • @zookdog68
    @zookdog68 Місяць тому +3

    Fair Warning is and will always be my favorite.

  • @hailmaryrecordings8255
    @hailmaryrecordings8255 День тому

    Diver Down is my favorite Van Halen album.
    It was just the perfect record for me when it came out … I was 13 and played it constantly during the summer of ‘82.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  День тому +1

      Great memories! It's an awesome album, thanks for sharing! 🙏

  • @lorieandpatrickdavies7483
    @lorieandpatrickdavies7483 Місяць тому +1

    I've always thought DD was the most quintessential VH album, because they started off as a fantastic cover band, covering everything from Black Sabbath to the Ohio Players. DD has that flavour, and its FUN. I absolutely love their version of Dancing in the Street, and Little Guitars and Intruder are fantastic. I only wish DD was longer, and had more cover tunes, just because they are so interesting and enjoyable. Of the Roth-era albums (six, I don't count A Different Kind of Truth because IMO it is basically terrible apart from a couple of tracks), I would rank them from best to worst: 1984, DD, Fair Warning, VH 1, VH 2, and last Women and Children First. I wish they would release VH "Zero", the demo album.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      Wow! I'm so glad other people love this record, I thought it was just me. Thanks for your insights and opinion! 🙏

  • @stephenchavura8456
    @stephenchavura8456 26 днів тому +1

    Easily my favourite VH album. I think it's the most consistently good album they ever produced.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  26 днів тому +1

      It's so much fun...and it pumps hard! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

  • @bryanwilliams3417
    @bryanwilliams3417 Місяць тому +2

    Whatever the movation, still turned out to be a classic work of art!

  • @JohnnyBeane
    @JohnnyBeane Місяць тому +2

    Love this album! "Intruder" alone is a great =VH= track with EVH's cool guitar tricks!

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +1

      Awesome! Agreed, ‘Intruder’ is something special. Thanks for contributing! 🙏

    • @JohnnyBeane
      @JohnnyBeane Місяць тому

      @@TheInstituteofPop Welcome!

  • @steveaustin6019
    @steveaustin6019 26 днів тому +1

    Love that album. Best sounding Van Halen album, they finally got the drums to sound good

  • @Thomasdgolden
    @Thomasdgolden Місяць тому +2

    This album is a great one.

  • @source4magic
    @source4magic 5 днів тому

    It’s an incredible journey. Who else could mix all those styles and sound and have it work out?

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  4 дні тому

      It’s a great achievement, and so much fun! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

  • @stephenchavura8456
    @stephenchavura8456 26 днів тому +1

    Secrets is one of their best songs of all time. The solo is so tight. Brilliant pop-rock song. Overall kind of reminds me of Badge by Cream.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  26 днів тому +1

      Yeah, I can kinda hear that Badge feel, especially in the 'Aww, she got rhythm' section. Cheers! 👍

  • @LIGHTintheHALLS
    @LIGHTintheHALLS 25 днів тому +1

    Little Guitars is hauntingly beautiful.

  • @dotyrocks33
    @dotyrocks33 День тому +1

    Favorite Album of All Time!!!❤❤❤❤❤

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  День тому

      Awesome, it’s sensational! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

  • @jeffreywarner6931
    @jeffreywarner6931 20 днів тому +1

    Van Halen the most ultimate rock band of all time RIP EVH

  • @jamestaylor7106
    @jamestaylor7106 Місяць тому +1

    Everybody needs to get Van Halenized. Greatest band ever.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      @@jamestaylor7106 Huge album! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

  • @thisklik
    @thisklik 4 дні тому

    Great Album!The drumming is AMAZING!!

  • @AsherJayDanca
    @AsherJayDanca 5 днів тому

    I agree mate. Always have. I never understood what folks were complaining about.

  • @dewayneavans8715
    @dewayneavans8715 Місяць тому +2

    I really liked the album

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +1

      Awesome! Thanks for being part of the DD fan club! 🙏

  • @basher5107
    @basher5107 Місяць тому +1

    This is where Eddy and Dave clashed.
    Eddy spent a lot of time on Fair Warning wanting a heavy album and he succeeded but Fair Warning outsold it!

  • @AppleOno
    @AppleOno Місяць тому +1

    Thanks for reviewing this! I've finished listening to the whole review and have some feedback!
    I like your reviewing style - we can hear your enthusiasm and joy and I like the detail you go into when describing the various tunes!
    My only disagree is "Little Guitars"... to my ears this is one of the most uplifting songs I've ever heard, before or since, one of the band's very best, but you find it bland? I wish I could show you how great that is, but music is subjective, so to each his own.
    One other thing to point out - no mention of Roth's keyboard on "Intruder"? To the best of my knowledge that's his "riff" the band is following. It's just a couple notes repeated, but what they did with it is killer!
    You're spot on for the rest and great delivery. Keep up the good work!
    PS this is the only VH record you still own? Go back and rediscover the others! The first 4 are fantastic! Cheers

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      Hi! Thanks for your wonderful and uplifting comments, they have really made my day!
      I agree, my choice of words when saying that Little Guitars is bland was poor, I really do like the song a lot. It's not bland at all, just a different mood and tone which is essential for a great album.
      Thanks also for letting me know about Roth playing keyboards on Intruder, I had no idea... So cool!
      Definitely going back to have a listen to the first four albums.
      Again, thanks so much for your insight and contribution! 🙏

  • @basher5107
    @basher5107 Місяць тому +2

    Little Guitars👍

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      @@basher5107 Great song. Thanks for contributing! 🙏

  • @jimrosser7494
    @jimrosser7494 Місяць тому +2

    I love the album!

  • @BillDollar777
    @BillDollar777 Місяць тому +1

    The ones they wrote on this album are fantastic. The ones they covered are well done.

  • @mikehunt3559
    @mikehunt3559 19 днів тому +1

    This was Ed’s least favorite album. Had a bunch of covers on it. He was pissed. Said he would rather fail with his own music than succeed doing covers. I have always been a huge VH fan, but I remember buying Diver Down and giving it a few listens and then I proceeded to take the album in my car and throw it like a frisbee out the window. Some poor bastard probably picked it up, listened to it and was as disappointed as I was.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  18 днів тому

      I think we’ve all done that with some album! Thanks for sharing the memory! 🙏

  • @rodneyradnowski8334
    @rodneyradnowski8334 2 дні тому +1

    I like vh1 album but diver down has always been my favorite. I love the full bug.

  • @KBH27
    @KBH27 7 днів тому +1

    Diver Down and the first 2 are top 3 for me. VH2 gives 1 a run for it's money. DD is probably 3rd place

  • @user-jq4fz6co8b
    @user-jq4fz6co8b 27 днів тому

    I love the album! It has a very wistful, whimsical vibe to it. There’s something “light” about it compared to Fair Warning, which was relatively dark.
    I like how you picked out Dave’s lyrics. Dude was a FANTASTIC writer and always had a poeticism that not a lot of people pay attention to. I’ve always said that he wrote lyrics and called up themes upon which the typical rock musician of the era wasn’t really ever able to tap into, like an 80s rock Bob Dylan.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  27 днів тому

      Thank you for such a generous comment. Diamond Dave certainly had a great way with words to get the party rocking! Cheers! 🙏

  • @JCDwyer
    @JCDwyer Місяць тому +3

    DD gets a lot of flak, but it’s a great record.

  • @donald-parker
    @donald-parker Місяць тому +1

    I wasn't wild about the covers. It always seemed like a vehicle for Dave to grandstand (what, you say - Dave grandstand??) rather than VH music. But I love the originals. Hang 'Em High, Secrets, LIttle Guitars - killer songs.

    • @lutherheggs451
      @lutherheggs451 Місяць тому

      It must drive Dave absolutely crazy that Van Halen had far more success with Sammy Hagar than they ever had with Dave

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      @@donald-parker Some covers work (when they make them their own) better than others, but the gold is in those originals. Thanks for the comment! 🙏

  • @heyman6010
    @heyman6010 Місяць тому +2

    Amen brother. Big bad will is sweet William now baby.

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      Cheers! One of my fave ever songs… Thanks for joining in! 🙏

    • @heyman6010
      @heyman6010 Місяць тому

      Bill. Not will. Stupid spell check. My bad. I should proof read. lol.

  • @ericpasquariello0418
    @ericpasquariello0418 Місяць тому +1

    I love it. Something special about that album

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +1

      Agreed… it’s a lot of swagger and fun! Cheers! 🙏

  • @dawnpatrol700
    @dawnpatrol700 Місяць тому +1

    I love this album. " secrets" is classic alone. I'm not a country guy, but the way they do it, worked. I had heard " big bad bill" by Preservation Hall, cause ive always been a record collector, but i think VH version is better. Little Guitars w/ intro is perfect. My music taste is all over the place, and so is this album. " could this be magic" is good, but i prefer " in a simple rhyme" from that older album

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      Thanks for the insight, I never knew that about Preservation Hall. Cheers! 🙏

    • @JCDwyer
      @JCDwyer Місяць тому +1

      There is nothing “country” about Secrets.

  • @SlickMopar
    @SlickMopar 22 дні тому +2

    Secrets. Best song on album 👍

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  22 дні тому +1

      Cool! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

    • @joshkava
      @joshkava 20 днів тому

      That's an extremely underrated VH song, in my opinion. Beautiful guitar playing and great lyrics!

  • @johnfletcher948
    @johnfletcher948 Місяць тому +3

    Little Guitars bland?! You high fella?! Little Guitars is the greatest song EVER ya big goof!!!!

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому +1

      Maybe a poor choice of words! Thanks for watching, from The Big Goof!

  • @miguelcruz2682
    @miguelcruz2682 Місяць тому +1

    From 1 threw 10 being the best I'd give it 6/7 .. 🙌

    • @TheInstituteofPop
      @TheInstituteofPop  Місяць тому

      Still, some great songs on there. Thanks for joining in! 🙏

  • @mattdylan664
    @mattdylan664 Місяць тому +1

    can't go wrong with Dave Halen, my favorite is VH II though my favorite VH album changes week to week as it has over the last 46+ years
    love Montrose and loads of Sammy's solo albums but could never jibe with Sam Halen. again , its not right nor wrong just my personal taste.