The Official Van Halen, "Tattoo" review thread.

[DLR'sCock]

My latest Tweet....


Roth_Army @VanHalenNation @vhlinksdotcom @vanhalennews "Tattoo" is the #1 Rock single in U.S., Canada, Finland, and Netherlands...
Wed, Jan 11 17:31:38 from TwInbox

It is? Sweet!!!!

[ian_hitmanhart]

"Swapmeet Sally, trampstamp cat, mousewife to momshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo" is such a brilliant lyric. There might be better songs on the new album, but that lyric might never be topped. Awesome.

[DONNIEP]

Listen to 3:26 here and then the final chords of Tattoo!

Or 2:33 of this:

[GreenEyedMurder]

The Rolling Stone article is ridiculous. The wording is such that they definitely imply that Van Halen is pulling the ol' wool over the fans eyes. Them with their fucking "you decide for yourself" comparison clips. What degenerate assholes. Not only is there nothing at all wrong with VH doing what they did, but it was reported about a year ago that they may record this way. Many bands have done it. The thing that gets me is that if Thom Yorke was to put out a new Radiohead CD based on 4-track recordings from his bedroom in 1988, Rolling Stone would be giving it 4 stars without hearing it. I also like that they say, "thankfully, we were checking in on Sammy Hagar and he had this to say..." Since when have they ever given a flying fuck about him and who is he, their official news correspondant for bands other than his?

Rolling Stone hasn't been relevant since Carter was President.

[Guitar Shark]

If other people don't like Tattoo, who cares?

There are some strange musical tastes out there.

I mean, look at the top artists of 2010. I'm glad I'm not part of that group.
http://www.billboard.com/charts-year...ists?year=2010

[Rikk]

All I know is, seeing Dave and Eddie standing side-by-side in the video, singing the chorus lyrics...

I got goosebumps.

I don't care what some say. I love the fucking video.

[jabrow75]

give me good ol' drag and drop, and i don't need a piece of software to manage my collection, i know where i put everything.

Exactly, plus I figure at this point the download will be of no use to me in a few weeks anyway when I have the full CD in my hands! Besides, I have instant access to it from the video when I need a fix between now and then!

At first I was going back and forth on whether I liked the song or not, but one things for sure... I can't stop singing it! Can't wait for the album!

[GreenEyedMurder]

All I know is, seeing Dave and Eddie standing side-by-side in the video, singing the chorus lyrics...

I got goosebumps.

I don't care what some say. I love the fucking video.

That's because it's the first new VH material since 1984!!!

[jabrow75]

Watching the video again... the smile on Dave's face at 0:53-1:05 is priceless! Damn right "Tonight's about me, not your ^#&@ hip" and don't you forget it! Dave's back!

[DONNIEP]

Plus, this video has Diamond Dave's stamp all over it. I hate to say this, but it's true: Dave's doing all the same things in this video that he was doing during the '96 VMA fiasco. And this time, this fucking time, Eddie seems to finally get it. Dave is DAVE. Let him do what he wants and run with it. Hell, it worked for how many years before the band split up??? The Tattoo video is so close to the Shoobop video that it's unreal. Just like the videos that we all know and love from Van Halen. That's Roth - plain and simple. Van Halen IS David Lee Roth...

[twonabomber]

At first I was going back and forth on whether I liked the song or not, but one things for sure... I can't stop singing it! Can't wait for the album!

i like the song, and like you, i was walking around my end of the machine the last day and a half singing it.

the video, however...i was slightly underwhelmed. i could have done without all the backwards crap. i don't expect a return to the Picasso Brothers approach to video making, but i think for a live performance clip it could have been a little better. they do look like they are having fun though, and i was glad to see that.

[Nitro Express]

"Swapmeet Sally, trampstamp cat, mousewife to momshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo" is such a brilliant lyric. There might be better songs on the new album, but that lyric might never be topped. Awesome.

Reminds me of Sturgis. You have a few real deal bikers and lot's of posers. Some trailer trash mom gets a new tat and now she's a biker bad ass. LOL! Dave is clearly a people watcher and what hes sees creates his lyrics.

[Nitro Express]

i like the song, and like you, i was walking around my end of the machine the last day and a half singing it.

the video, however...i was slightly underwhelmed. i could have done without all the backwards crap. i don't expect a return to the Picasso Brothers approach to video making, but i think for a live performance clip it could have been a little better. they do look like they are having fun though, and i was glad to see that.

I think they took the JUMP approach. Just show the band playing and having a good time.

[DONNIEP]

i like the song, and like you, i was walking around my end of the machine the last day and a half singing it.

the video, however...i was slightly underwhelmed. i could have done without all the backwards crap. i don't expect a return to the Picasso Brothers approach to video making, but i think for a live performance clip it could have been a little better. they do look like they are having fun though, and i was glad to see that.

The Picasso Brothers videos were the '80s equivalent of video games - IF you fed video games acid instead of quarters. I do think Dave was given a free hand to do what he wanted with this video - with certain exceptions and restraints firmly in place. Is that a bad thing or a good thing? I guess that depends on where you're standing, or what your point of reference is. I really wish the video was more colorful, and hell, since it's MY opinion, throw in a couple of midgets...then again, I'm really high so what do i know?

[SNIPER]

I hope on She's The Women there only bass going during the solo.

[fifth element]

I can't stand reading the comments on Youtube anymore... Can't wait for the entire album to come out and put these idiots in their place. I love the song, and it's the freaking single, which is usually my least favourite. I remember how disappointed I was when I first heard "Jump", and I still cringe whenever I hear it....

lol...spent some time this afternoon telling a WHOLE bunch of naysayers to stfu and go home, b4 i realized that my time was better spent....(as in listening to Tattoo AGAIN!!!)

[fifth element]

Reminds me of Sturgis. You have a few real deal bikers and lot's of posers. Some trailer trash mom gets a new tat and now she's a biker bad ass. LOL! Dave is clearly a people watcher and what hes sees creates his lyrics.

loved the image that was made w/ the words:Here's a secret to make you think
Why is the crazy stuff we never said poetry in ink...

and i really thought that the video was great for the song! a bit underwhelming at first, but it GROWS on you, just like the song...
and culminates in a huge assed party, complete w/ balloons and confetti, at the end.

[ashstralia]

is it just me, or is anyone else pondering the significance of the checkered flag? i'm thinking it means 'the race is over. we won'.

[Sensible Shoes]

I just think he likes to wave things.

[DONNIEP]

Got me a tattoo...wanna VH tattoo...wonder if Hopie's is still open? Nothing as elaborate as what some people want...just a simple VH tat...with a little bit of flair...

[sambo]

is it just me, or is anyone else pondering the significance of the checkered flag? i'm thinking it means 'the race is over. we won'.

Hey Ash..

Now that you mention it... I really like that idea..

[fifth element]

I'm a conspiracy nut so I read little things like that as symbolic. I keep wondering if they need a disclaimer at the beginning for epileptics...that strobe effect is pretty thick.

lol...have watched it over and over w/ no issues....(yes, have epilepsy),
yet I can see that people w/ some forms of the condition might have problems w/ it.
However, those people generally have problems w/ computers in general....so........only worry might be watching it in concert...

[fifth element]

Got me a tattoo...wanna VH tattoo...wonder if Hopie's is still open? Nothing as elaborate as what some people want...just a simple VH tat...with a little bit of flair...

simple, but w/ flair....
love it...lol

[VHscraps]

Jeez - It's not rehashed if it has never been released before. It is only public, because it's on an illegal, bootleg, recording ... songs that aren't released (in the case of Down in Flames) don't even have publishers, so it's not like they were making money off it in one form then releasing it twice.

I'm a writer - and I go back to material I started writing ten years ago that *never made the grade* and try and find ways to do something with it. It's what artists - painters, musicians, writers - do. They have ideas that they don't really finish to their satisfaction (or their publisher / A&R / record company, etc., don't think make the grade)

In any case - in music publishing terms, the top line (i.e., the vocal melody, although there may be slight similarities at parts of the song) and lyrics of 'Tattoo' are not the same as 'Down in Flames'. Even musically, it is really only the bridge, the chord changes under the chorus, and the swells at the end, which were at the beginning of DIF, that are similar .

[salsanin]

Small Think from Italy
The Master is back!
Classic Van Halen is on fire!!!!
We all waiting an European Tour and my flag with '' Welcome back Master Dave '' is ready.
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Halen High]

And that's why Tattoo is the single, and not something harder hitting, like Bullethead....

Yep - the single will reel them in... then Bullethead will smack them right between the eyes. I think they will get the perfect balance and old schoolers like us will be more than happy.

[GreenBayLA]

Compared notes with my best friend from high school, we saw the mighty Van Halen on every tour starting with Van Halen II. Both of us were non-plussed by Tattoo, no hook, doesn't sound like a single. But I can't wait for the new album...

[Halen High]

he didn't rule it out iirc mate! hope you're well.

I'm great mate! Bloody cold down here for summer though. I hope you're right about Dave not ruling it out. To buy this album in vinyl will just top it off for me.

[Grant]

yep, i like it.

I LOVE it!

The video just simply oozes of coolness...

FUCKIN' A...VAN HALEN ARE FINALLY BACK!!!

[Dave's Bitch]

Old or new material it is a very good song

[ashstralia]

yep. we gotta be remembering that these are men in their 50's, with a 20 year old bassie. it's not going to sound like 1982.

i reckon i can also hear a bit of the latter part of 'hear about it later' at the end there... the unison bends and dave wailing sexay dragon magic.
i'm surprised no-ones mentioned that, then again, i may be deaf.

tat-too tat-too

[DavidLeeNatra]

if it sounds good...it is good...

a coach of a football team once said, that there is nothing like old or young players but only good or bad players...

tat-too tat-too motherfuckers

[ashstralia]

yezz, natra!! good to see you mate.

back to topic;

fucking great song/video.

[Halen High]

yep. we gotta be remembering that these are men in their 50's, with a 20 year old bassie. it's not going to sound like 1982.

i reckon i can also hear a bit of the latter part of 'hear about it later' at the end there... the unison bends and dave wailing sexay dragon magic.
i'm surprised no-ones mentioned that, then again, i may be deaf.

tat-too tat-too

Someone at the VHND said the same thing and I agreed with them. From the 4 minute mark as they close out the song, you can definitely hear echos of Hear About It Later - not just musically but vocally. We are going to be picking up stuff in this track for years.

[Halen High]

if it sounds good...it is good...

a coach of a football team once said, that there is nothing like old or young players but only good or bad players...

tat-too tat-too motherfuckers

Good to see Germany is getting Tattooed - Van Halen style.

[ashstralia]

and there's a fucking WHOLE ALBUM of this stuff coming... i've got goosebumps.

[Halen High]

And to think we have Bullethead to come. I think we get the album a few days earlier than the US. Is that right?

[DLR Bridge]

Jeez - It's not rehashed if it has never been released before. It is only public, because it's on an illegal, bootleg, recording ... songs that aren't released (in the case of Down in Flames) don't even have publishers, so it's not like they were making money off it in one form then releasing it twice.

I'm a writer - and I go back to material I started writing ten years ago that *never made the grade* and try and find ways to do something with it. It's what artists - painters, musicians, writers - do. They have ideas that they don't really finish to their satisfaction (or their publisher / A&R / record company, etc., don't think make the grade)

In any case - in music publishing terms, the top line (i.e., the vocal melody, although
there may be slight similarities at parts of the song) and lyrics of 'Tattoo' are not the
same as 'Down in Flames'. Even musically, it is really only the bridge, the chord
changes under the chorus, and the swells at the end, which were at the beginning of
DIF, that are similar .

Spot on as always Scraps. I meant to mention the other day that that was a good call about the swells at the end tying into the ones in DIF. If the whole album is based on previously unreleased tracks, they should be praised for being true artists, not ridiculed. Hey, so long as we're happy with it, right?

[Halen High]

Fuck...I just had a thought. What if they are planning on doing a storyline video with actors for She's The Woman or Bullethead!!! None of us ever imagined we would see an official video for those unreleased gems.

[Vinnie Velvet]

what up show stoppa? I dont care that hop isnt the hop on my boots, ya know...

HOP! back in da muthafuckin house!!!

How ya doing bro?