Van Halen - Diver Down - Album Review!

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!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@fivestring65ify]

Full bug is great too.

[@davidsthubbins176]

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.

[@TonyTheBassPlayer1]

He he he hey bud, an old Roth era Van Halen fan here. The reason for all of the covers was Ted Templeton the producer. He was a nut for doing covers. Bigger chance of a hit with a proven commodity. Eddie got disinterested and kind of took his hands off of the wheel so he didn't have to fight with Ted. Ted was the catalyst for 5150 studio. Ed built that in his own house and said from now on we record here and we produce the records. David loved doing covers because they started by playing covers and originals at keg parties in Pasadena CA. So for him it was a match made in heaven. And Mammoth did a version of Dancing in the Streets before the name change, so reviving it for Van Halen wasn't a stretch. I saw an interview with Dave and he talked about writing lyrics and he said Secrets was written from looking through a pile of greeting cards and taking arbitrary lines and mixing them up. Now re read the lyrics and think of it line by line... Makes sense now don't it? Hope it doesn't ruin it for you. I'm a song writer and it tickled me to no end. I thought the idea was brilliant. Only works once but it worked. What a great concept. Song needed done, he wasn't particularly inspired so... Song got done. I love the lyrics too BTW

[@Bill-hj5ll]

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.

[@rsitrader6and9]

yes exactly!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Who knew they were so many of us? Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@indivisibleman]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@davidsthubbins176]

Eddie disagrees with us. 😉

[@indivisibleman]

@@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.

[@VanHalenStarWars]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@rjg2112]

Absolutely agree!

[@MrOctober44]

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

[@BillDollar777]

​@@MrOctober44 Secrets?

[@fivestring65ify]

​@@TheInstituteofPopFull bug is a killer.

[@greyman334]

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]

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

[@sanclerribeiro4731]

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.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

What a memory! The power of music... Awesome! 🙏

[@BoomerBends]

"Secrets" , "Hang 'Em High", "The Full Bug" and "Little Guitars" are some of the best VH period.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Happy to agree with you. Thanks for contributing! 🙏

[@JohnSparkmanandBlackTopHerd]

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]

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

[@peterhelmer6252]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Perfect for summer! Cheers! 🙏

[@Movie-Collectibles]

@@peterhelmer6252 5150 is also! Especially Summer Nights. 😻

[@seanpaul3954]

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]

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]

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

[@DjangoPorter]

I love this album it's so unique

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@AltonW521]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cool! Thanks for contributing! 🙏

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

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]

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

[@JoeZaccaris]

I remember being 11 yrs. old when it came out and trying to figure out what "best part of a man" was really about LOL

[@kojam1]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

A fairly failsafe strategy! Thanks for contributing 🙏

[@mattmacarthur520]

Diver down has ALWAYS been one of my absolute favorites. And as the years continue to roll by I love it even more ,it just makes a guy feel DAMN GOOD! great vibing album

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Couldn't have said it better myself! Totally agree! 🙏

[@VanHalenStarWars]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@Buddycoop1]

Sick of people saying oh there's lots of cover songs. So what, covers are great and the new songs are all terrific. It's one of my faves. A fun album.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Most fun you can have on vinyl! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@BasilHayden]

The covers are Van Halenized which is such a cool thing.

[@fatastronaut7685]

What's important with covers is to make them your own and Van Halen more than dies that. Most people wouldn't know they were covers

[@aladinsarsipeus]

2 words: Fair Warning

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@Movie-Collectibles]

LORD strike that poor boy down 😂😁

[@Movie-Collectibles]

@@aladinsarsipeus Many fans told Shreddie that FW was their favourite. Mine, too. He knew!

[@ArthurPerez-t2e]

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]

@@ArthurPerez-t2e I was too hard on Secrets. Love the feel… and that solo by Eddie…fantastic! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@ciretose2]

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

[@ArthurPerez-t2e]

@@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!

[@craigcole9133]

Absolutely love this album! Hang em High !

[@TheInstituteofPop]

It's a classic! Thanks for contributing! 🙏

[@srobert1838]

This was my first introduction to VanHalen! It has a sound like no other VH album. Magical times!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

A great place to start! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@miket.220]

Little Guitars is one of their best songs.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Too true! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@robertdefex3439]

The best guitar tone is on diver down😢

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Absolutely love that sound! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@MAG-li5jo]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

It's so good. Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@Movie-Collectibles]

Yeah, both parts, I love the flamenco intro.

[@OzricTentaclesRule]

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]

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

[@lgmnowkondo938]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Love the playing on this album!

[@johnrogan9729]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@rjg2112]

Diver Down is awesome, on my regular play rotation!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cool! Thanks for joining in...🙏

[@CatHound]

Eddie hated this and David loved it. This was the start of Eddie's reasoning to build 5150.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cheers, thanks for the insight! 🙏

[@JoeZaccaris]

I think Eddie always wanted his own studio. Just couldn't get enough money until he had a few albums and tours under his belt.

[@mattmartian1658]

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]

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! 🙏

[@vonholland64]

It’s absolutely killer no filler

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Total agreement from me! Thanks for joining in!

[@darylhance3769]

My favorite VH album along with Fair Warning!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Glad you love it! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@yogiblair22]

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]

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

[@tomjulian7226]

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]

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

[@rdanalytics9197]

I was always ashamed to say Diver Down is my favourite Van Halen album. It's funny that it's considered a "Filler Album", yet the album itself has no "filler" tracks - it's hit after hit. It's the only Van Halen album I can listen to from start to finish and love every song. But what really blows me away is that the original songs are some of the best songs Van Halen ever made. Full Bug and Hang'm High is Eddie at his best and Dave nails it. The drums and background vocals are all prime Van Halen. Cathedrals showcased another genius Eddie technique that nobody had ever seen before. Yet, people say it sucks.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Fantastic contribution! Couldn't agree more with your thoughts on Cathedral. Cheers! 🙏

[@fatastronaut7685]

I thi k the record is incredible. First 5 are flawless albums

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

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.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Haven’t heard that one. I’ll put it on the list! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@TheMichaelseymour]

too right !!!

[@ro307805]

One of my faves

[@TheInstituteofPop]

It's a classic album! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@captainkirk70]

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.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Great memory! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@rdanalytics9197]

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]

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

[@Dog-ManTribe]

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]

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

[@JoeZaccaris]

Very interesting post --- but I don't appreciate you calling Dave a "shitty EMT" --- he passed all the necessary certifications to do the job, so put respect on his name, punk

[@lgmnowkondo938]

Little Guitars should have been a hit!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Agree totally!

[@AsherJayDanca]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Likewise! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@chopayrussell9660]

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.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

What a fantastic memory! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@dotyrocks33]

Favorite Album of All Time!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@happy_jcg]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

So cool. Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@Ontariosound]

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

[@DjangoPorter]

Every one of their albums are. Genius and unique

[@holland736]

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

[@Rob-eo5ql]

Love this album. Little Guitars is my favorite VH song.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cool! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@coreysmorgan8488]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Totally! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@michaelbruce2699]

The Full Bug!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

All the way a killer track. Cheers! 🙏

[@robf6105]

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.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Thanks for sharing your insight! 🙏

[@BasilHayden]

A low rating from Rolling Stone means they'll catch up decades later and say it was great.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

You know that’s true! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@TheMasonator777]

Rolling Stone: The music rag that hates music.

[@scotto0010]

RS hates good music at least. 5hey always have.

[@robertcook792]

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]

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

[@dyer2cycle]

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....

[@briandietrich1373]

It's a fantastic record!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Totally! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@jeffreywarner6931]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cheers, thanks for contributing, 🙏

[@Wolf.51.50]

Loved this review! You're good at this, and I agree 100%. This is a beautiful underrated album that I love and I never get tired listening to. Thanks for this. I subscribed to your channel 🙂

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Thank you so much for your generous comments. Thrilled you enjoyed the review, subscribed and, most importantly, love the album. It's a banger! Cheers! 🙏

[@Wolf.51.50]

@@TheInstituteofPop 👍👏👏❤️

[@diamondd2778]

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]

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! 🙏

[@steveaustin6019]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cheers, totally agree! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@antony5365]

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.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Thanks for the insight and opinion! 🙏

[@magnusskallagrimsson6707]

I really liked it in High School, but grew away from it as I got older. Still love Women and Children First.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cheers, thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@willbollman6246]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Yes, I am not alone! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@fatastronaut7685]

I've always thought it was a killer Album. The originals are as good as anything they've ever done. Probably my least favorite is dancing in the streets. It's just a crap song but they did it better than any other. Full bug may be my favorite song

[@TheInstituteofPop]

@@fatastronaut7685 Awesome! Thanks for sharing. Full Bug kicks! 🙏

[@Slappedkat]

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]

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

[@bryanjordan4262]

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

[@joqu6971]

Spot on

[@Slappedkat]

@@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]

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

[@fredwerza3478]

I still have mixed feelings about this album --- I think "Little Guitars" is one of the best VH songs ever --- but those poppy covers didn't do much for me

[@TheInstituteofPop]

It’s definitely a mixed bag. Thanks for contributing! 🙏

[@jeffharris4593]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Killer album! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@jamyhengesbach38]

I love Diver Down!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

So much fun, very cool! Cheers! 🙏

[@rodneyradnowski8334]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Great song, fantastic album! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@Jirass]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Same here! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@C_mao]

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]

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

[@brentkennedy947]

There is not one song I don't like from Van Halen!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Great band, thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@jamesmorris223]

The Full Bug, Secrets, Hang 'Em High and Little Guitars are better than any ONE song most bands of the time could muster over an entire album. The backing vocals on Dancin' in the Streets are the best anyone has recorded for that tune and the Synth part Eddie does is pretty f'in cool.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cool! Thanks for sharing your insight and passion for this killer album! 🙏

[@johnp1787]

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]

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

[@cbFIN]

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]

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

[@ciadella1971]

VH were pushed to make this album sooner than they expected. After releasing Pretty Woman, the record company wanted a record. Thats probably why Ted and Dave went with so many cover songs. Hang em High, intruder, Little Guitars, Secrets, Cathedral, The Full Bug are as strong as any of their songs. Eddie does some awesome solos on this record as well as Alexs double bass shuffle on Full Bug!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Great comment! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@sparkletoo2]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@zebageba]

Fair Warning is my favorite VH album.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cheers! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@whatarefriends4]

It’s a masterpiece

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Agreed! Thrilled I'm not alone... Thanks! 🙏

[@jinky0u812]

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]

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! 🙏

[@robf6105]

It's an uneven album but the strong parts are very strong.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cheers! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@Swanlord05]

I love it ....Fun album

[@TheInstituteofPop]

So much fun! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@MH1000a]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@kevinwilkes1963]

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

[@AB-iw9gr]

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]

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

[@ArthurPerez-t2e]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

@@ArthurPerez-t2e Gotta listen to Rollins! Cheers! 🙏

[@KoolKatDave]

The lyrics to "Secrets" were influenced by a Native American poem that Dave saw on a postcard in the US Southwest while they were on tour.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cheers, thanks for the insight! 🙏

[@thisklik]

Great Album!The drumming is AMAZING!!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Agreed! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@erictripton]

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]

Thanks for your insight. I really appreciate the contribution!

[@michaelstrong4956]

I love the tone of Edward's guitar on this album, at one point I was listening to this cd in it's entirety on my ride home at the end of every work week! It put me in such a great mood for the weekend.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

What an awesome memory! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@danteantonsemaka]

Little Guitars is a great song.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Totally agree! Thanks for joining in 🙏

[@davidhenson6337]

Have always thought Fair Warning was their best album. However, Diver Down was a fantastic album too. Love the Kinks cover, Little Guitars and The Full Bug!

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cool! Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@bryanwilliams3417]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Agreed! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@stephenlord7316]

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]

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

[@ig8083]

Intruder was the one all the lads liked at the time. it was creepy and then led into Pretty woman... Toking out with the boys in high school with this brand new album was awesome.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cheers, thanks for sharing the memories! 🙏

[@jamestaylor7106]

Everybody needs to get Van Halenized. Greatest band ever.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@LIGHTintheHALLS]

Little Guitars is hauntingly beautiful.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Agreed! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@barbarapacheco-naugler262]

my bf tells me he bought this album when it first came out when he was 14 years old. Said he loved it then,and still listens to it. He also never understood the bad reviews. He feels the same way about the Undercover album by the rolling stones. underrated

[@barbarapacheco-naugler262]

what he likes about the Undercover album is that it is the one where they pretty much abandaned their blues roots,and made a straight up "hard rock" album

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Cheers, thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@miket.220]

Undercover has a great song by Keith Richards, “Wanna Hold You”, one of my favorites.

[@zacknorton650]

Van Halen's best album as far as listening cover to cover. Super fun... Love the Full Bug and Hang 'em High

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Outrageous fun, love those songs! Thanks for joining in! 🙏

[@JohnnyBeane]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@JohnnyBeane]

@@TheInstituteofPop Welcome!

[@source4magic]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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

[@robp7729]

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]

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

[@79blackbelt]

Diver Down is a great album. Never had a problem with it.

[@TheInstituteofPop]

Totally agree… thanks for contributing! 🙏

[@stephenchavura8456]

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

[@TheInstituteofPop]

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