Record of the day 051: Diver Down

GOOD. BETTER. BEST.

Just slightly more than 44 years ago, Van Halen’s wackiest album hit the shelves. Mostly covers. Sure, part of their initial success was their cover of The Kinks “You Really Got Me,” but “Pretty Woman,” and “Happy Trails?” You had to be a true fan to sign off on this one. Yet, years later, this oddball VH record stands up, and in some cases, seems like an interesting exercise for this band on the run.

Comparing the original pressing that I bought the day this record came out, to the later Chris Bellman release, and the current MoFi ONE-Step is an easy task indeed. The original is, like all the original VH records, compressed, with a truncated bottom end. Was that passive aggressiveness towards the affable Michael Anthony, or just oversight for better radio play?

Conspiracy theories aside, the Bellman version definitely brings back a lot of what’s been lost, and is a major step in the right direction. But there’s more lurking in that master.

You need go no further than the “Big Bad Bill…” cut to see the genius in the execution of the MoFi version. Yes, it rocks harder in every way, and the lost bottom end is restored to perfection, but the smoothness of the tone in Van Halen senior’s clarinet is incredible. And good as the MoFi SACD is, this is one of those instances where the magic of vinyl rules the day.

So, considering that Google lists a search for the opening track as a “Song by Van Halen,” won’t you tell me, where have all the good times gone?

Record of the Day is brought to you by Bergmann Audio, dCS, and Supreme Acoustic Systems.
The table featured here is the Modi, with their Thor linear tracking arm.

CD’s and SACD’s are auditioned on the dCS Varese

Cartridge is a modified LYRA Helikon SL, modified by Ana Mighty Sound

Phono Pre is the award winning XP-17 from Pass Labs

Cables by Cardas Audio

All on top of the Pagode Master Reference MKII, courtesy of MoFi Distribution