It's just a weird thing with Van Halen since 1996 for me.
I tend to discount 1985 through 1995. Not solely because of the musical direction of Van Halen during that period, but because regardless of who was (more) at fault for the CVH split, Roth and the band weren't together anymore. It was what it was.
For me, it just keeps coming back to the CVH albums, when Ed was at his best and coming up with what to my ears amounted to his best stuff. I still get enjoyment out of listening to that stuff. When I hear it, it sounds like the band, whatever their personal differences, was kicking ass and having fun playing the music.
Post-1996, Van Halen has been Van Halen minus the fun. This is perhaps why I was so excited for the Roth/CVH reunion in 1996 and still clung to the hope of a CVH reunion even after the 1996 attempt ended in acrimony: I want to get some of that kick-ass fun back.
Realistically, the band is too old and doesn't have the...drive or desire they did decades ago. Which is understandable. Roth seems to have his sense of fun - or at least his own appreciation of his sense of humor, at any rate - intact. I'd be hard-pressed to imagine Ed doesn't enjoy playing guitar any more. I dunno. Over the last ten years, it kind of seems at times like Roth is back with the band more because all concerned know it is Roth in Van Halen that remains a draw for concert tickets, rather than the band actually really enjoying what they have been doing. Doubtless Ed enjoys playing with his kid, but that's not quite the same thing as enjoying having Dave back.
That fantastic era of 1978 to 1984...it's...just gone forever. I don't even think a CVH reunion can really bring it back, even in terms of replicating a memory that will really do justice to the Real Deal, as CVH were back in the day.
Can't Get That Stuff No More.
I tend to discount 1985 through 1995. Not solely because of the musical direction of Van Halen during that period, but because regardless of who was (more) at fault for the CVH split, Roth and the band weren't together anymore. It was what it was.
For me, it just keeps coming back to the CVH albums, when Ed was at his best and coming up with what to my ears amounted to his best stuff. I still get enjoyment out of listening to that stuff. When I hear it, it sounds like the band, whatever their personal differences, was kicking ass and having fun playing the music.
Post-1996, Van Halen has been Van Halen minus the fun. This is perhaps why I was so excited for the Roth/CVH reunion in 1996 and still clung to the hope of a CVH reunion even after the 1996 attempt ended in acrimony: I want to get some of that kick-ass fun back.
Realistically, the band is too old and doesn't have the...drive or desire they did decades ago. Which is understandable. Roth seems to have his sense of fun - or at least his own appreciation of his sense of humor, at any rate - intact. I'd be hard-pressed to imagine Ed doesn't enjoy playing guitar any more. I dunno. Over the last ten years, it kind of seems at times like Roth is back with the band more because all concerned know it is Roth in Van Halen that remains a draw for concert tickets, rather than the band actually really enjoying what they have been doing. Doubtless Ed enjoys playing with his kid, but that's not quite the same thing as enjoying having Dave back.
That fantastic era of 1978 to 1984...it's...just gone forever. I don't even think a CVH reunion can really bring it back, even in terms of replicating a memory that will really do justice to the Real Deal, as CVH were back in the day.
Can't Get That Stuff No More.
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