Tribute To Van Halen2000 We Review Tribute To Van Halen2000 By Jeremy Steffen Cowebmaster DLRArmy.com "2000: A Tribute to Van Halen" is a prime example of the power of CLASSIC Van Halen.  Even with different musicians, the brilliance of these songs shine through. They sound as fresh today as they did when they were first released. The song selection (with one exception) is fabulous, and makes one hope that they get some more great musicians and make another. I have to also give a big hand to Bob Kulick for his producing of this record. He did a great job. (Of course I find it funny that an ex-Kiss guitarist producing a tribute album to Van Halen. *evil laughter*) You will find extremely talented guitarists on this album.  Of course, anyone would have to be talented to even try to ATTEMPT to record a cover of a Van Halen song, not only the guitarist, but the every member of the band. Now onto what you want to hear, the critiques, good and bad:    Dweezil WAILS on Unchained! Of course, what do you expect from a guy who is a fixture at 5150 and was a student of Frank Zappa, Eddie Van Halen, and Steve Vai?    I was never really a big fan of Slaughter, and Mark would definitely not be my first choice for any Van Halen song, let alone a classic like this. He lacks the technical flash needed for this song. David Lee Roth (yes, you Sammy lovers, DAVID LEE ROTH) nailed this song in 1978, and that's what is required for this song. Primal screams and all. Every syllable has it's place, and Mark (rock all night, sleep all day) doesn't (or can't) do that.    "Dance The Night Away" seems a lot more sedated than the original version. Joe Lynn Turner improvises on the melodies on the vocals, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but he makes the song sound "pretty." The song of course, isn't meant to be a metal romp, but it isn't supposed to sound like a woman sang it. (and I thought that was Mark Slaughter's job.) WOAH! "Light Up The Sky" has always been a powerhouse, but this new version blew me away the fist time I heard it. GOOD JOB! WOW! A DEFINITE highlight of the album.    I loved the use of the guitar solo in-between the "rap" in Panama.    "Hot for Teacher" features some outstanding bass playing.   Like Billy Sheehan, he can keep up with the lead guitar.    They used a lot of artistic license on "Runnin' With The Devil." Most people I've talked to really didn't like Stephen Pearcy's singing on this song, but I believe he really put all the sleaze and personality this song requires. One thing I found odd was that the song started faster than the original, but seemed like it was the same tempo as the original at the end. Maybe I'll have to break my metronome.    To me, "(Oh) Pretty Woman" is the lowest part of the album.   This is true for a couple reasons. Pretty Woman should not be on a Van Halen Tribute. This would make it a cover of a cover, henceforth, it would have to sound EXACTLY like the first cover to be a tribute to that band, which it is not.  Because of this fact, I believe they chose the wrong people to do this song. First, the guitarist is a country guitarist.  He does a decent job, but it doesn't fit VAN HALEN'S version of the song.  Also the Nelson Brothers, although they have done metal in the past, (remember Power Tool?) they didn't show this attitude in this song. One of the brothers sounds like he wants to sound like David Lee Roth at the beginning of the song, and the other wants to sing like Roy Orbison.  Guess who wins at the end. *rolls eyes*    "Atomic Punk" just totally blew me away.  I was expecting one thing from this song and was totally thrown for a loop when I heard it. It is the best one on the album, in my opinion.    "Little Guitars" actually starts with Little Guitars (Intro), then goes into Little Guitars. But hey, I'm not a stickler on such things. ;) The song is pretty good. I'm not wild about the vocals here. A little too much inflection on too many words. The singer does a decent job, but sounds like he's trying too hard.  Mitch Perry's playing on this song is above average (imitating Eddie isn't easy) but lacks the emotional element needed for this song. I'm still angry that Little Guitars didn't make it onto Best Of: Volume One.  Thanks a lot, Alex!!!    Fortunately, the critiques on this album are HEAVILY outweighed by the highlights on this album. This is arguably the best Van Halen Tribute Album. The other is the Japanese Dance Tribute "Eruption." Other than these two examples, there are no other Van Halen tribute albums.  Final decision?  Get this album. 1. Unchained Jack Russell - Vocals Dweezil Zappa - Guitars Marco Mendoza - Bass Eric Singer - Drums 2. I'm The One Mark Slaughter - Vocals Doug Aldrich - Guitars Tim Bogert - Bass Frankie Banali - Drums 3. Dance The Night Away Joe Lynn Turner - Vocals Reb Beach - Guitars Marco Mendoza - Bass Gregg Bissonette - Drums 4. Light Up The Sky Doug Pinnick - Vocals Yngwie Malsteem - Guitars Billy Sheehan - Bass Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums 5. Panama Jani Lane - Vocals George Lynch - Guitars Tony Franklin - Bass Gregg Bissonette - Drums 6. Hot For Teacher John Corabi - Vocals Bruce Kulick - Guitars Tony Franklin - Bass Gregg Bissonette - Drums 7. Runnin' With The Devil Stephen Pearcy - Vocals Jake E. Lee - Guitars Tim Bogert - Bass Frankie Banali - Drums 8. (Oh) Pretty Woman Gunnar Nelson - Vocals Matt Nelson - Vocals Albert Lee - Guitars Tony Levin - Bass Aynsley Dunbar - Drums 9. Atomic Punk Fee Waybill - Vocals Brad Gillis - Guitars Tim Bogert - Bass Frankie Banali - Drums 10. So This Is Love? Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals Blues Saraceno - Guitars Tony Franklin - Bass Eric Singer - Drums 11. Little Guitars David Glen Eisley - Vocals Mitch Perry - Guitars Marco Mendoza - Bass Eric Singer - Drums Produced By: Bob Kulick (Oh) Pretty Woman Produced By: Bob Kulick & Bruce Bouillet Mixed By: Bruce Bouillet & Bob Kulick Recorded & Mixed At: "The Office", Van Nuys, CA   To email the article you just read above to someone else {click here} .

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