VAN HALEN/van hagar comparison article from Access Atlanta:
Article from Access Atlanta:
http://www.accessatlanta.com/music/c...6vanhalen.html
My personal favorite asinine comment: "You Really Got Me" (Disc 1, Song 7): Cool Kinks song. What's the point of remaking it?
I'm pretty sure you can e-mail your feedback.
ROUND & ROUND WE GO
David Lee Roth vs. Sammy Hagar: It's a tough Van Halen showdown with a few hits and misses
Published on: 09/15/04
VAN HALEN, appearing at Philips Arena on Friday, is one of the few rock bands that has managed almost equal success with two lead singers: gold-lame-lovin', lounge singer supreme David Lee Roth and Cabo Wabo swillin', bars-blues crooner Sammy Hagar.
David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar (bottom row left) ? The argument never ends, but Hagar will get the last word when the band plays Friday at Philips Arena.
Each has his good and bad points, made starkly apparent in the way the band has packaged its new "The Best of Both Worlds" greatest-hits double CD. Generally, a Roth-era tune is paired with a Hagar-led song. So we decided to turn it into a boxing match, a six round, no-holds-barred pugilist's delight. Who'll win the kitty?
Round 1
"Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" (Disc 1, Song 5): Early, raw Van Halen at its best.
"Finish What Ya Started" (Disc 1, Song 6): Catchy and bluesy, if a bit pedestrian.
DECISION: Roth comes out of the box strong, wins the first round.
Round 2
"You Really Got Me" (Disc 1, Song 7): Cool Kinks song. What's the point of remaking it?
"Dreams" (Disc 1, Song 8): Cheesy but fun '80s mid-tempo power ballad.
DECISION: Not a glorious round for either boxer, but Hagar has the edge.
Round 3
"Hot for Teacher" (Disc 1, Song 9): Quintessential Roth, with smarmy/funny video to boot.
"Poundcake" (Disc 1, Song 10): Brilliant guitar work, so-so song.
DECISION: Roth, on personality alone, wins this one.
Round 4
"Jump" (Disc 1, Song 13): Overrated — or maybe just overplayed.
"Top of the World" (Disc 1, Song 14): Great chorus trumps lame lyrics
DECISION: In a controversial close call, judges give this round to Hagar.
Round 5
"Panama" (Disc 2, Song 1): Best song off "1984."
"Best of Both Worlds" (Disc 2, Song 2): Can't fend off the power of "Panama."
DECISION: Roth is in fighting form.
Round 6
"I'll Wait" (Disc 2, Song 5): Sluggish despite some amusing lyrics.
"Why Can't This Be Love" (Disc 2, Song 6): The energetic first Hagar hit, like it or not.
DECISION: Roth staggers as Hagar gets his final wind.
FINAL VERDICT: Split decision, but Hagar, who now helms the band again, ultimately wins. Why? Because this contest was rigged! Just ask Eddie Van Halen. And to rub it in his enemy's face, Hagar will sing a few Roth-era hits.
(Wanna protest? The Star Bar in Little Five Points is holding a counter-concert the same night with accessAtlanta freelance writer Jon Waterhouse imitating David Lee Roth. $5)
• THE 411: Van Halen, $90. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive N.W., downtown Atlanta. 404-878-3000, www.philipsarena.com
— Rodney Ho
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