We’re revisiting a classic from Van Halen’s David Lee Roth era output, 1981’s Fair Warning, which was released 40 years ago this month.
GET VAN HALEN ALBUMS ON VINYL, HERE.
A favourite amongst Van Halen fans, Fair Warning was the band’s fourth studio album. It remains a menacing standout in the band’s massive discography. Four of the album’s tracks climbed the Mainstream Rock charts in 1981 – including “Mean Street,” “So This Is Love?” “Push Comes to Shove” and “Unchained” which is spotlighted on VH’s two best-of collections: Best of Volume 1 and The Best of Both Worlds.
Van Halen | “Unchained”
Fair Warning could be described as a transitional album for Van Halen with the arrival of synths to the band’s sound, despite Eddie Van Halen’s virtuoso guitar skill, elevated to greater heights than ever, still boldly front and centre. The synths would work their way up the mix in the future, as did the pop sensibilities of Mr Roth, but the darker tone of this effort delivers some of Van Halen’s hardest and fiercest tunes of all time. Give it another listen below and hear for yourself!
GET VAN HALEN ALBUMS ON VINYL, HERE.
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