1984 by Van Halen
The ultimate example of guitar pyrotechnics in the aid of pure 80's LA hedonism. EVH puts the guitar down for a bit to show us he can also slay the keyboard through classic anthems like Jump! and Panama, calms down a bit and gives David Lee Roth some space for I'll Wait, gives his brother some room to play on Hot For Teacher, shreds the fretboard in atypical heavy metal songs Girl Gone Bad and House of Pain, then kicks back on the beach for the classic summer track Drop Dead Legs which begs you to sit back on the lounge chair, pop a cold Corona and enjoy the beach bonfire.
Every time I hear Drop Dead Legs I'm transported back to 16 years old. I'm on Wreck Beach with my friends and my girl. Smoke wends its way into the air from the fire, laughter rocks up and down the beach, and life is just never going to get better. I'll always be young. I'll always be vital. The night will always be perfect, the sunset will always be picturesque, and I'll never know adult hardship or disappointment. We'll never be old. The dopamine rush from the weed and beer will never wear off. Our hearts will always be pure. The music will never die. It will be sweetness forever. We will always be golden.
The last and greatest Van Halen album with David Lee Roth. Therefore also the greatest Van Halen album.