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OK, it’s been years since I’ve listened to the fourth album from Van Halen. But Fair Warning is kicking my butt.

Unbelievable energy. And I am reminded not only how original Eddie is on guitar, but also Alex on drums. The drumming on this record is incredible. He is easily one of the best rock drummers ever, though you just don’t hear people talking about this. I would put him in a class with John Bonham and Stewart Copeland in terms of his innovative playing, his sound, his ideas, and his pure execution. Just listen to this record, and think about drumming and music in 1981, and you tell me different.

I remember being a drummer and student and being into mainly guys like Neil Peart, who is also amazing, but someone that plays and perfectly executes brilliantly crafted patterns and ideas. Then I remember opening my ears up to the playing of guys like Stewart and Alex, who were clearly not playing specific patterns. Instead it was more about the attitude and the spontaneity of the moment. Check this out and you will see that Alex is the Stewart of hard rock.

Eddie and Alex, guitar and drums, two brothers and one unbelievable sound. Dig this one back up, and put a big ole smile on your face.