Album Review: Van Halen - Diver Down (1982)

If you want to listen to a Van Halen album that exemplifies nicely that "f*** it" factor and sets out to be nothing but fun, look no further than Diver Down from 1982.  In a way it is a strange album, but that's a good thing - few metal or hard rock bands would contemplate doing a cover of Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman." and the ones that would dare try would fail miserably to do it justice like Van Halen did.  And they did a spectacular job of it.  Hell, the rest of the album ain't bad either,especially the second half.  As for "Big Bad Bill (is Sweet William Now)", it stands out from the album like the proverbial mammaries on male cattle (and the band's work in general), but it's the most fun track on the record.  And their version of "Dancing in the Street" is the best ever too.  "Little Guitars", "Hang 'Em High" and "The Full Bug" are also worth listening to as well.  All in all, a better album than what many people claim it is.  Check it out for yourself and hopefully you'll see what I'm talking about.  A-