ADKOT track order - Did they get it right ?

[Panamark]

Listening to the album everyday now, Im wondering about
the choice of song order. I think Tattoo is cemented at "1"
and the first 4-5 tracks are bang on.

But then the real fun begins midway with some of the most
mind blowing harder than metal, Van Halen we have ever heard,

Then Stay Frosty, Big River and Beats Working ?

I reckon they should have built up to the real hardcore stuff
like As is, HoneyBaby.... etc for the end..

Must be hard to pick the order for any band. Do you think they got it
right ??

Disclaimer: I cant find filler anywhere, just a friendly question
about track order. (I dont understand those who bag Beats Workin ???)

[fourthcoming]

I really don't have a problem with the track order. I completely agree with you......all killer no filler imo.....and what's wrong with Beats Workin'?......not a damn thing. Bullethead through Honeybaby might be the three heaviest VH songs in a row.

[MUSICMANN]

By not having the full album yet, myself, but being able to see the track order and listening to the 90 sec. clips, i think the track order is fine. I mean, like you said, there is no filler songs, there just all bang up rocking. As for,Big River, i can see how some thought they should have left it alone, but Dave gives the song a new vibe and the new lyrics doesn't diminish the overall kick assness of music arrangement.

[Calderone]

yes i think it's perfect , i like it and i got used to it , the only song i skip
is tattoo , she's the woman is the perfect opener , kickass release all the way !!!
Hoping for a second part of it , this guys have so much in them !

[Panamark]

For me I kinda blow my wad halfway, then chillout on the last tracks.
Maybe that was the plan ?

I could see putting all the radio friendly and "less" heavy tracks all in a row then
finish with the absolute sonic bomblastment ...

Crikeys, I keep thinking you US Bro's have all heard it in full... I should have held back
with this one... The album has absolut goosebumps prickles on your arm moments
to being flat smacked in the head ! lol..... Im prone to enjoy the smack you in
the head tracks.... Forget the argument "is Van Halen Hard Rock or Metal."

You will all see, they are both. Theres mindfuck timeshifts and grinding guitar that
would make metallica/megadeth proud...

[Panamark]

yes i think it's perfect , i like it and i got used to it , the only song i skip
is tattoo , she's the woman is the perfect opener , kickass release all the way !!!
Hoping for a second part of it , this guys have so much in them !

I dont get it ? Tattoo to me is awesome. Why the haters, Ed is riffing the whole way through.

[fourthcoming]

I dont get it ? Tattoo to me is awesome. Why the haters, Ed is riffing the whole way through.

Tattoo is fine by me bro....have no problem with that tune at all. I was lucky enough to buy the cd this past Thursday and I hear what your saying about finishing the cd with the heavier tunes...but to me the track listing works. Either way cd is phenomenal. Hopefully they make to Australia for you and the Roth Army brethren down under.

[ELVIS]

I think Mark just started his own review thread...

[Jetstream]

I think the song listing is no different than having a night with a sexy woman...vague flirtation, foreplay and then mad fucking.

[rocking ron]

Track listing is ok!!

And after listening to this album.....it's getting better......and better!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still can't choose or say what's my favourite track...........yes indeed........no fillers,only killers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Seshmeister]

I listened to it last to first today and it worked just as well.

Not sure if it matters.

[Golden AWe]

Tracks 8-12 are easily the strongest and tightest phase of this album. And there's a big variety on those songs.

[VHscraps]

I never thought much about the actual running order of the album, but I did notice on first the play through earlier this evening that I was thinking to myself that they had paced it really well.

I mean, what is it 50mins? It plays like a whizz-bang. It's over in seemingly much less time than that, and I think the running order / pacing, or whatever, lends to that. That usually bodes well for repeated plays.

It would be interesting to know, though, how much time they put into that this time. If you think about the 6 pack actually, the original vinyl releases, that is - none of them had an actual running order on the record sleeve. Just a list of songs - presumably because they were still trying to figure out the best running order when the sleeve went to the art department, the printer, or whatever. They worked on tighter schedules back then.

But, I reckon they always played around with the running order to get it right as they saw it, and would not be surprised if that was one of the things that held the release of the album up.

[don don]

Just got the Deluxe edition tonight when I got off work from an independent record store. Love it and mean it. As far as track order, I'm on listen number 2 so I've got get my "fix" first and then look at things objectively. So far...dead on. It's actually amazing. They absolutely king mother fucking ass!!!

[IceCreamBlondie]

Thanks for the reviews, guys....can hardly wait for tomorrow! Will keep track order in mind when listening. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ONE!

[Panamark]

I listened to it last to first today and it worked just as well.

Not sure if it matters.

You still have that "Smack you in the head" section in the middle that way.

[rocking ron]

I WISH EVERYBODY A LOT OF FUN WITH LISTENING TO THE NEW VAN HALEN ONE!!!!

AND I WANNA KNOW WHAT YOU PEOPLE THINK ABOUT IT!!!

I'VE LISTENED TO IT 30 TIMES NOW AND IT'S ONLY GETTING BETTER, CAN'T STILL CHOOSE A FAVOURITE SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ENJOY PEOPLE
'turn your radio's on'

[tjvhou812]

i really dont care, about the song order, im just glad i am alive to hear this shit

[SNIPER]

Its one of those things that have no correct answer IMO. It works for me although I do agree it shifts gears midway but I like that in an album. Keeps it interesting. Too many albums tend to burn me out at the halfway point.

[FORD]

If I was going to change anything, I'd swap the first two songs. Maybe have "She's The Woman" start the album, and then "Tattoo" second.

[Zing!]

If I was going to change anything, I'd swap the first two songs. Maybe have "She's The Woman" start the album, and then "Tattoo" second.

I would agree. Either could be the opener - but the bass of 'She's The Woman' seems on the money for the opener. Otherwise I'd say the track order is spot on.

[78/84 guy]

I love how You & Your Blues is 3rd. It just fits there. I think it's set up really nice. One more album like this and i'm good. Shit rocks !

[ELVIS]

I'd just leave out Beats Workin' and Bullethead...

[Panamark]

I love how You & Your Blues is 3rd. It just fits there. I think it's set up really nice. One more album like this and i'm good. Shit rocks !

One more album already ?

[78/84 guy]

One more album already ?

Yep !! Next year would be nice !! Hehehe ! None of us are getting any younger !

[Zing!]

Yep !! Next year would be nice !! Hehehe ! None of us are getting any younger !

Man - can you imagine the next three, four years of new records and tours? Nobody does that anymore - but then again, nobody does what Van Halen just did for their fans.

(by the way, it took me about five minutes to type this coherently - thank God for the backspace button...)

[ELVIS]

I'm not so convinced they did this for their fans...

[sadaist]

I am kinda feeling As Is & Stay Frosty Shoulda closed it out. Hell, those songs are so good I wouldn't have minded having them in the middle AND the end.

[ashstralia]

we had the stereo on shuffle for the long drive home; worked great!

i actually agree with FORD. first two the other way around, then you and your blues might've flowed better.

but it's only cause we heard 'tattoo' so much for 4 weeks.

[sadaist]

I'm not so convinced they did this for their fans...

Maybe not the VH brothers. But the lyrics is clearly Daves cryptic messages to the hard cores. Very similar to CGTSNM.

[BumBahDeeDah]

I skip "Tattoo" because I've listened too it 6700 times over the last few weeks. I couldnt wait to go to a record store so I preordered it. Checked in at 12:01 and it was up. Glad I did that. The copy in my car ends with the audio from The Downtown Sessions. Awesome. Panama is "OUTSTANDNG!". Is thee store bought version like this too?