10 Truly Terrible Albums By Legendary Artists
9. Van Halen - Diver Down
After releasing one of the greatest debut albums of all time in 1978, followed a year later by 'Van Halen II' which was nearly as good, it seemed that VH took their eye of the ball for the next two records.
The quota of classic songs dropped and there seemed to be a lack of creative inspiration. By the time of the release of 'Diver Down' in 1982 it seemed as though the bottom of the barrel had been so thoroughly scraped, there was nothing left. Even the album cover was the worst in their entire catalogue.
On a set over-burdened with poorly executed cover versions, the best of which was Roy Orbison's 'Oh Pretty Woman', there were no songs that survived into the live arena for more than a couple of years. The jokey 'Big Bad Bill Is Sweet William Now' is only notable for the appearance of the Van Halen's father playing clarinet.
Two years after this Van Halen would release their biggest-selling album up to that point, '1984'. Generating multiple hits, it atoned for the dearth of decent songs on an album that even the band have confessed a dislike for.