Why Van Hagar Pales In Comparison

[Nitro Express]

True but damn Dave was really singing his heart out on that tour. One of the best shows ever.

He was truly making a statement during that era. Not just on the record but the show itself.

Dave was balls to the wall sending a big FU message to VH.

[Nitro Express]

Ed and Al hated Dancing in the Streets. If I ever have to run a float in a Pride parade that’s the song that will be playing from it. That and Sammy songs.

[Von Halen]

Only 15 million? I say 6 bajillion…..occupying every spot in the top 10 at the same time. I mean, look what they did when they finally reunited,ADKOT…..dwarfed Rumours, annihilated Thriller, buried The Eagles Greatest Hits……..

Albums weren't selling in 2012, like they were when all those were released. Nice apples to apples comparison.

[FORD]

I agree it's got too many covers...but I love WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD TIMES GONE? and I've always had a soft spot for BIG BAD BILL (my wife loves that one too).

That said, DIVER DOWN has the only classic Van Halen song I truly dislike: I hate DANCIN' IN THE STREET. I've always hated that song. I hate every fucking version of that song. I hate Mick Jagger & David Bowie's version. I like the Dead and I hate their version..

Some of those late 70s "Disco Dead" albums were borderline cringe worthy. Glad they reversed that direction and came back strong in the 80s.

[Terry]

I don't at all.

Singing big band covers is nothing like creating new cheesy AOR MOR Foreigner ballads and even if Roth had went with the music to Love Walks In (which I really doubt) or Dreams (more likely but doubtful) with different vocal melodies and lyrics the songs would be unrecognisable.

Every Roth solo album is better than every Van Hagar album. I was about to say the same thing about Van Halen and Roth solo - you will disagree but I think EEAS is better than Diver Down.

I'd say I like EEAS and DD about the same, perhaps DD a little more...

The best stuff on DD tends to resonate with me more as time goes by, and for as maligned as that album has been by some there's quite a bit of good stuff on DD.

Hang 'Em High
Cathedral
Secrets
(Oh) Pretty Woman: yeah, it is a cover, but it is a Van Halenized one and if I want to listen to the tune I'm always going for VH's version and not the Orbison original
Little Guitars intro/Little Guitars
The Full Bug

While I don't dislike EEAS, I find I'm listening to it less and less as time goes by. I still dig the attitude Roth brought and the performances, but some of the songs seem little more than excuses for Vai to lay down yet another blazing, lightning-fingered solo: too much icing and too little cake.

[Terry]

The Van Hagar albums would have been much different and much better with Dave singing the songs. Melody wise and otherwise. I think all of us can agree on that.

The EEAS stuff would have been much different and much better with Ed, Al and Mike playing the music. I'd think most of us agree with that.

EEAS was like the sports team filled with superstars. No cohesiveness. No chemistry. All about individuals, even though it's supposed to be a team. A team with chemistry, cohesiveness and competitive heart will beat a team of superstars nearly every time. Like someone else said, EEAS was a wankfest. There are some great moments, but not enough team play to not only make nearly everything great, but to sustain greatness. CVH proved this with their longevity and timelessness. They also proved it with many years passing, by reuniting and proving the magic was still there. Not only once, but twice. 1996 and 2012. I love ADKOT, but I have zero doubt in my mind, it would be better if Mike had participated. He was 1/4 of the magic.

I love Diver Down. I do hate Dancing In The Streets though. Every fucking version out there, not just VH's. But hey, I hate Jump too. Not just because it has been over played. I remember exactly where I was the first time I ever heard it played on the radio, and I was sorely disappointed. Everybody I knew busted my balls about that shit song. Fortunately they had nothing to say when the entire album came out, as it was killer. There simply aren't very many songs in the entire CVH catalogue that I skip over, but Dancing In The Streets and Jump are two that I absolutely cannot get to the skip button fast enough.

Yep.

[Nitro Express]

I'd say I like EEAS and DD about the same, perhaps DD a little more...

The best stuff on DD tends to resonate with me more as time goes by, and for as maligned as that album has been by some there's quite a bit of good stuff on DD.

Hang 'Em High
Cathedral
Secrets
(Oh) Pretty Woman: yeah, it is a cover, but it is a Van Halenized one and if I want to listen to the tune I'm always going for VH's version and not the Orbison original
Little Guitars intro/Little Guitars
The Full Bug

While I don't dislike EEAS, I find I'm listening to it less and less as time goes by. I still dig the attitude Roth brought and the performances, but some of the songs seem little more than excuses for Vai to lay down yet another blazing, lightning-fingered solo: too much icing and too little cake.

Yeah it gets old hearing Vai and Sheehan going Dee Didly Dee Dee Wee Wee

[Nickdfresh]

You knobs! I like Dancing in the Street and if that's the worst CVH I'll take it any day over When it's Love...

[Nitro Express]

I don’t think I’ve listened to Diver Down in the past 30 years.

[Silexxx]

This youtube channel has a lot of Van Hagar era songs without Hag. Somebody removed the vocals using some software. Maybe WB should just re-release those albums instrumental.

[Nickdfresh]

I don’t think I’ve listened to Diver Down in the past 30 years.

I cunt imagine not throwing it on around Memorial Day...

[Von Halen]

You knobs! I like Dancing in the Street and if that's the worst CVH I'll take it any day over When it's Love...

Of course you do. Nickdfaggit

[Seshmeister]

[video=youtube_share;5BvQZ-yvtOE]

This youtube channel has a lot of Van Hagar era songs without Hag. Somebody removed the vocals using some software. Maybe WB should just re-release those albums instrumental.

You know if you listen to this it's actually a bit of a defence for Hagar because by Ed standards it's clearly mediocre. Maybe it's booze, maybe it's out of ideas or maybe Roth did make him raise his standard but compare that music to Top Jimmy, Girl Gone Bad or anything on 1984!

"After so many years of fumbling dysfunction that reduced the once-proud Van Halen name to a laughing stock, A Different Kind Of Truth matters because it's a reminder of why this band mattered, Roth deserves some of the credit for that. For whatever reason, when Roth is in the band, Eddie Van Halen plays guitar like the world wants him to play guitar." - Steven Hyden The AV Club

[Vinnie Velvet]

You know if you listen to this it's actually a bit of a defence for Hagar because by Ed standards it's clearly mediocre. Maybe it's booze, maybe it's out of ideas or maybe Roth did make him raise his standard but compare that music to Top Jimmy, Girl Gone Bad or anything on 1984!

I agree.

I said it earlier in this thread. For whatever reason, Ed got very lazy post-1984.

5150 the song is probably the only standout riff from that album. Otherwise its just wankery and not up the same standard Ed had delivered on the six pack.

[Nitro Express]

It’s a lack of inspiration. How inspired are you going to be hanging around Sammy Hagar all the time? Hang around Sam too much and you start eating too many cheese sandwiches, you gain some weight and start picking your ass.