Women and Children First

Women and Children First is the third album on which VAN HALEN pushed through with momentum and personality using only their own songs, not relying on covers. Eddie Van Halen’s guitar shapes flash after flash of inspiration, and David Lee Roth’s singing and Alex and Michael’s rhythm give the songs an unrestrained heat. After the success of the previous two albums, the band develops a more confident expression. The thick push of “And the Cradle Will Rock...” and the speed of “Romeo Delight” clearly show the band’s aggression. Songs like “Everybody Wants Some!!,” “Fools” and “In a Simple Rhyme” condense the appeal of early VAN HALEN. A stance of using technique not to show off but to make the songs more dangerous and fun runs throughout. Light guitar movement and bouncing rhythm brightly open the songs, while the riffs have ample thickness and aggression. It is a full record that strongly conveys the whole band’s playfulness and physicality.