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Rather than take an extended break after spending nearly a year on the road promoting their exceptional 1978 debut, Van Halen went directly back into the studio to record another album. 1979's Van Halen II was just as intense as its predecessor, but wasn't as potent compositionally -- which is forgivable since it was nearly impossible to top Van Halen. A very brief album (barely over 30 minutes in length), Van Halen II spawned the group's first true hit single, the aptly titled Top 20 hit "Dance the Night Away," while featuring another strong set of turbo-charged rock. A mid-paced cover of "You're No Good" (originally popularized by Linda Ronstadt) kicks things off before the band's rowdy party rock regains shape -- "Somebody Get Me a Doctor," "Bottoms Up!," "Outta Love Again," "Light Up the Sky," and "D.O.A." are all testosterone-heavy ragers. In addition to the aforementioned "Dance the Night Away," the album closer, "Beautiful Girls," showed VH's burgeoning pop sensibilities, while Eddie Van Halen showcases his guitar chops again on the acoustic "Spanish Fly" and the exquisite intro to the sullen "Women in Love." Van Halen II confirmed that the band was fast becoming America's premier hard rock/metal band. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
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