Rocktober Album #2: Van Halen – Women and Children First (1980)

When you think of Van Halen albums, the ones that probably first spring to mind are 1984, Van Halen I, Van Halen II, 5150, or For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. And that's exactly why I went with their lesser-known third album, 1980's Women and Children First. It's a hidden gem among Van Halen's albums (not that any of their albums haven't gone platinum), and it's only $6.97 on Amazon to boot. So, you know, buy it.

Here are the songs:

1. And The Cradle Will Rock . . . .
This is the highest (and only) charting song on the album, reaching a pedestrian #55 on the Hot 100. It's a dark rocker, with a classic intro courtesy of a Wurlitzer that sounds like a guitar.
2. Everybody Wants Some!!
I love this song, in part because it's featured during the claymation dream sequence in Better Off Dead, and in other part because it's awesome. The song has a great sing-along chorus, a great riff, and Diamond Dave's vocals sizzle on this track, as they do on most of the album.
3. Fools.
After a slightly longer than necessary guitar intro, the song kicks in with a nice heavy riff. "I live with fools." I think anyone who's ever lived in a dorm or fraternity house can relate to that.
4. Romeo Delight.
This is my favorite Van Halen song. It kicks ass from beginning to end, starting off with a heavy, fast riff, before slowing down for the verses, to crescendo into the ball-busting chorus. It makes great use of anticipation by slowing down and getting quiet in the middle of the song, making the explosion back into the chorus even that much more fulfilling. I love the line "I'm takin' whiskey to the party tonight and I'm lookin' for somebody to squeeze."
5. Tora! Tora!
The second song on the album with exclamation marks in the title, this is a brooding instrumental that lasts less than a minute. (Playlist.com did not have this.)
6. Loss of Control.
Complete with faux pilot radio banter, this is a fast-paced squealer. (Playlist.com did not have this either.)
7. Take Your Whiskey Home.
This must be from the perspective of the party host in "Romeo Delight," or a woman the dude in "Romeo Delight" was looking to squeeze.
8. Could This Be Magic?
This one is an oddity -- an Americana, folksy type of song, with just an acoustic guitar, with no other instruments. It sounds like something drunken sailors might have sung in the 19th Century.
9. In a Simple Rhyme.
A great song to end the album. After a coy acoustic intro, the song kicks into high gear. The drums and bass are particularly good in this song. It's also full of hooks.