Thus far the reviews seem pretty good..

[JJtheVagPounder]

I heard on the radio there were a few people that have heard the new album and gave it positive reviews. So I looked around and found this:

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/van-h...early-reviews/

Reportedly a few lucky people have already gotten to hear the new Van Halen record ‘A Different Kind of Truth,’ well ahead of its Feb. 7 street date. Judging from the internet accounts of these highly guarded listening sessions, the band’s first outing with original singer David Lee Roth in nearly 30 years is going to make fans pretty happy.
MelodicRock.com reports that one retailer, who had an Interscope executive fly out for a special playback session, labeled the record “overall, heavier than I expected,” and singled out the songs ‘China Town,’ ‘Big River’ and ‘Beats Workin” as highlights. They also went on to say that ‘She’s the Woman,’ as previewed at the band’s recent New York City club show, was better than the official first single ‘Tattoo.’

A post on the VHLinks message board quotes another, unnamed source, who runs down every song on the album in mostly favorable terms, and also declares ‘A Different Kind of Truth’ “better than anticipated.” They go so far as to cite ‘You and Your Blues’ as “probably the coolest VH track I’ve heard,” adding they “didn’t think Eddie had this sort of thing in him.” Which boggles our mind a bit — what hasn’t Edward Van Halen shown he can do with a guitar?

If this review is accurate the record also features a couple of ballads, including “real surprise” ‘As Is,’ which is described as “melodic, slower, understated in many ways” and ultimately, “the best track on the album.” Of course, these reports should be taken with a grain of salt. Hopefully soon enough we’ll all get our chance to hear this eagerly anticipated album. Until then, it’s a steady diet of the first six albums on repeat out here, how about you?

[Mr Walker]

Maybe 'As Is' is a reboot of 'Angel Eyes'?

[Zing!]

I find it encouraging that several different sources all seem to be citing different tracks as 'the best song on the album.'

[ELVIS]

Vedy intedesding...

[VAiN]

If Tattoo is the weaker of the lot, we're in for one helluva treat! I love what Dave does on Tattoo, he's such a creative writer and it makes you pay attention and actually want to hear and know the words... it's so fucking refreshing!!!!

[kwame k]

Pretty thin "sources".........

Then again.......

[VAiN]

Pretty thin "sources".........

Then again.......

Agreed... my source tells me it's going to blow my fucking doors off. Oh wait, that's me.

[kwame k]

Agreed... my source tells me it's going to blow my fucking doors off. Oh wait, that's me.

Ha! Mine too

Tattoo has exceed my expectations and She's the Woman was killing it live.....2 down 11 to go.

[binnie]

It's encouraging that different tunes are being singled out.

However, how you receive the album will have a lot to do with your expectations - will most people be happy with 'good' or are we all holding out for 'great'?

[ELVIS]

MelodicRock in my opinion is a lot more credible than many people here think...

[ELVIS]

It's encouraging that different tunes are being singled out.

However, how you receive the album will have a lot to do with your expectations - will most people be happy with 'good' or are we all holding out for 'great'?

If it has heavier and better songs that Tattoo (and Tattoo is pretty darn good) it's gonna be GRATE !!!

[Vinnie Velvet]

:

MelodicRock in my opinion is a lot more credible than many people here think...

Really??

VV aint with ya on that one, E.

[ELVIS]

It's mainly only on Van Halen that their credibility was questioned...

Andrew was just posting the BS stories that were out there...

[JJtheVagPounder]

It's encouraging that different tunes are being singled out.

However, how you receive the album will have a lot to do with your expectations - will most people be happy with 'good' or are we all holding out for 'great'?

I am going in with the expectation of it being better than any other "rock" album in recent years.

[Droomer5150]

China Town,’ ‘Big River’ and ‘Beats Workin” Anyone think for some strange reason that "China Town" is a new version of Act Like it Hurts, Big River could be "Big Trouble" and "Beats Working might be "Put Out the Lights". I don't know why I thought that just "Chinatown" sort of has a badass sound to it. And Big River-big trouble. Hahaha pretty bad intuition I know, but just a thought. I hope a new version of "Put Out the Lights" is on the new album, I love that song! Oh and "We Die Bold" is pretty badass! That might even be "Chinatown". Not to mention "Lets Get Rockin" . Even "Women in Love" (the demo version), "Young and Wild" and "Babe don't leave me Alone". Now I'm just get carried away! I need to leave space for brand new songs as well, if there's any.

[Terry]

China Town,’ ‘Big River’ and ‘Beats Workin” Anyone think for some strange reason that "China Town" is a new version of Act Like it Hurts, Big River could be "Big Trouble" and "Beats Working might be "Put Out the Lights". I don't know why I thought that just "Chinatown" sort of has a badass sound to it. And Big River-big trouble. Hahaha pretty bad intuition I know, but just a thought. I hope a new version of "Put Out the Lights" is on the new album, I love that song! Oh and "We Die Bold" is pretty badass! That might even be "Chinatown". Not to mention "Lets Get Rockin" . Even "Women in Love" (the demo version), "Young and Wild" and "Babe don't leave me Alone". Now I'm just get carried away! I need to leave space for brand new songs as well, if there's any.

Honestly, even if the ENTIRE album turns out to be reworkings of those old Simmons/WB mid-1970's unreleased demos...this ain't necessarily a bad thing.
In some respects, I'd be more jazzed about using those old tunes as templates for creating updated or tweaked versions of them than the idea of Ed coming up with an entire album of new stuff from scratch; from what I've heard in the last 15 years, Ed's songwriting sensibilities post-1996...not so good...not nearly on a par with what they once were in terms of material suitable for recording considering Dave is back in the fold.
If they wanna channel the CVH sound, there's no better way to do it than go back to the past when CVH was firing on all cylinders. I could give a shit if it's old material; if it works, the result is timeless...just like the 6-pack.

[SunisinuS]

Honestly, even if the ENTIRE album turns out to be reworkings of those old Simmons/WB mid-1970's unreleased demos...this ain't necessarily a bad thing.
In some respects, I'd be more jazzed about using those old tunes as templates for creating updated or tweaked versions of them than the idea of Ed coming up with an entire album of new stuff from scratch; from what I've heard in the last 15 years, Ed's songwriting sensibilities post-1996...not so good...not nearly on a par with what they once were in terms of material suitable for recording considering Dave is back in the fold.
If they wanna channel the CVH sound, there's no better way to do it than go back to the past when CVH was firing on all cylinders. I could give a shit if it's old material; if it works, the result is timeless...just like the 6-pack.

I agree only in this way: Ed and Sam and Everyone agrees that Ed has "locked up in the vault reams of music". So if that is true....why not use it? Other than that....nice to see Ed viable again as a co-songwriter. So "new" music is something I like. Still shows you are flexible.

That is all.

[fifth element]

Agreed... my source tells me it's going to blow my fucking doors off. Oh wait, that's me.

and me....
and?

[guwapo_rocker]

VAN HALEN
Tattoo (4:43)
Interscope

Van Halen's first new song with David Lee Roth in more than 15 years finds the group putting its stamp back on the music world -- er, make that its tramp stamp. "Tattoo," the first single from the group's upcoming album "A Different Kind of Truth," gets its ink on as Roth -- over a meaty, stomping blues-rock groove -- lets us know he's got "Elvis on my elbow," as well as the socially conscious number of his uncle's union chapter on his shoulder, and he slings enough lingo (Swap Meet Sally, trampstamp cat, mousewife and momshell) to let us know he's seen at least a few episodes of "L.A. Ink." Roth also lets loose with a signature "Woo!" and delivers a spoken section, while the song's title is used as a funky chorus chant. The best news for fans, however, is that Eddie Van Halen delivers a killer solo -- as razor-sharp and on-form as one could hope -- reprising some of the licks with some lightning soloing at the end of the song. If Van Halen was looking to show off its return to recording virility, the group can wear "Tattoo" proudly.

by Gary Graff, Detroit | January 10, 2012 2:15 EST

http://www.billboard.com/features/be...05832552.story

[neuralfraud]

I read the article posted here by JJ and noticed it was posted 2 weeks ago. Needless to say the commenters seemed to be the same spambo-lovers.

Spencer Brokaw LOL..PUT ASIDE PERSONAL FEELINGS OF NOSTALGIA ...AND NO HUMAN CAN CALL THIS SONG GOOD!!! ITS TERRIBILE IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD..I LIKE BOTH VERSIONS OF VH BUT CLEARLY SAMMY HAS AGED BETTER AND SINGS BETTER AND MUSICALLY ITS NOT CLOSE CHICKENFOOT BLOWS VH AWAY..PERIOD END OF DISCUSSION

Clearly, sammy has aged better. Clearly.

I used to be dumb too. I used to think that being able to sing was more important.. then I turned 13.

[VAiN]

Haters gonna hate.. it's hard to take some jerk-off who types in all CAPS seriously..

[JJtheVagPounder]

Haters gonna hate.. it's hard to take some jerk-off who types in all CAPS seriously..

For real. Whenever I read something like that I imagine Sammy sitting at his computer, all mad like, with a half drank bottle of tequila and tears just streaming down his face as if he was a five year old that just watched Bambi’s mom get shot down for the first time.

“DAVE IS NOT BETTER THAN ME! HE’S NOT!”

Sammy, you are the only one in denial here…..

[Green Manalishi]

I gotta admit , most " new " albums by most other bands that I purchase take me a few listens to digest .
Not this time . A Different Kind Of Truth isn't like most new albums and Van Halen isn't most other bands .
A Different Kind Of Truth had me from the very first note . All long awaited expectations were not
only met but far exceeded . Not one weak track on the entire release .
Van Halen with DLR in tow is a havoc wreaking machine again . Edward is still the King of Six Strings , Alex and Wolfgang are a monster rhythm section . The trademark harmonies sound better than ever and the band plays tight as a mousehole . So far , " Stay Frosty " is my favorite . It had me from the git-go . It's very Roth . Five Stars outta Five . A perfect 10 on a 10 scale . Well done =VH= , well done !