Undoubtedly the most complete vision of Van Halen's career, 1984 featured faultless production and the introduction of keyboards helped to smooth out the rough edges. Stylistically too, by now the band had perfected their smooth rock hard sound which was heavy and wild enough for the metal crowds, dominated as it was by Eddie Van Halen's amazing fretboard histrionics, yet polished enough for greater radion acceptance than ever before. A more perfect example of early 80s melodic, good-time heavy rock you will not find.

9 out of 10.