All-Encompassing Van Halen New Album / Interscope Thread

[VAiN]

I never understood why that 04 trainwreck tour got off the ground either. I blame Mike & fat-ass just as much as anyone else. Ed was in such bad shape and his playing had declined so much it was amazing - it was total hit or miss. I caught them 4 times on that piece of shit tour, and the best show i saw was in fucking Iowa of all places.

And, like sadaist, I too felt the heartbreak on the way out of the shows... what a terrible feeling! By the end of it I finally came to terms that I was never going to see VH with Dave and that Ed was probably going to end up dead in a gutter somewhere.

[VAiN]

"Well, you know what?! As far as people saying, 'Do you miss VAN HALEN?' or any of that kind of stuff, I've totally moved on. Man, I am just in my total happy place right now. . . Yeah, I'm curious to see what they come out with, but there's no type of competitive type thing." He added, "It's funny, I go online, and see what the fans are saying, you know, 'Oh my God, it's gonna be VAN HALEN against CHICKENFOOT this year, both things coming out, and what's going to be better?' and blah blah blah. If they out put out a great album, that's great. I just know that ours is great, and I'm really proud of it."

Good for you Mike. I'm gonna call it right now - chickenshit's album will disappear from the charts so quickly it won't even be funny... Does anyone else find it fucking hilarious that BOTH Mike & fat fucking clown have stated they'd be cool opening for the mighty VH?? Yeah, they've moved on to their fucking happy places alright.

[Full Bug]

Its nothing to do with this thread, just thought I would post it, came across this old Bloom County comic today, haven't seen this one in years.....

[Halen High]

Closer to the truth, in 2004 Hagar and Anthony sacrificed their consciences for a paycheck, plain and simple. No matter how much the two of them would like you to believe they were helpless in the situation, their own actions were no more noble than Edward Van Halen's lummox brother and the management team that allowed this disaster to go forward in the first place.

Exactly - they were as much to blame for that farce by signing up, when it was clear Eddie was in no physical or mental condition to tour. Not only that, but Hagar and Anthony were happy to go along with it despite the band putting in hardly any rehearsal time. And let's not forget Hagar's performances were also heavily criticised throughout. He was overweight, lacked energy and his voice was not what it could have been. But I bet Hagar regrets it now. He knows his legacy and reputation with Van Halen took a massive hit from that tour and it was the final nail in the coffin for Van Hagar. It's the reason why he can't let go today. Watching Van Halen with Dave play to packed houses with great reviews must have killed him.

[ZahZoo]

Fair enough, but this still jibes with my point about knowing fully well how events could/would transpire, they went along willingly, took the money and only raised objections after the fact. Here we are 7 years later, and they still feel a need to bring it up in every interview. This more or less belies the contention (usually made in the same interview) that the two have "moved on" and are in "a happier place."

See your point about them doing it willingly and not moving on... I guess for pretty much all involved, band & fans it all left a terrible memory that's stuck with everyone.

[Hardrock69]

It was a bad enough memory that they resurrected a lame pop band that did Van Halen covers and took it on the road again. All those fans ripped off.....but then, the sistaz have not been known for living in reality when they do stuff.

[Jagermeister]

FROM VHND

From Ultimate ClassicRock.com:

Five Things That Could Go Right With Van Halen’s New Album
by: Matthew Wilkening

Any day now, Van Halen is expected to unveil the details of their first full-length album with original lead singer David Lee Roth since ’1984.’ Obviously, any cynic could come up with an article about the Five Things That Could Go Wrong With Van Halen’s New Album, but what if we were to also give this legendary band the respect and faith they’re due, and instead focus on Five Things That Could Go Right With Van Halen’s New Album:

5) ‘Diamond Dave’ is back!
That’s right, for the first time in more than 27 years, the Van Halen brothers will be reunited with original lead singer David Lee Roth on their new album. These guys crawled up from the clubs to sold-out arenas together, and batted six-for-six in terms of awesome albums, so, really, what’s the sense in betting against them to succeed again?

4) Now with 50% more Van Halen!
Yes, the loss of original bassist and back-up vocalist Michael Anthony (who’s currently cavorting with second VH singer Sammy Hagar in Chickenfoot) will hurt Van Halen. Luckily, Eddie Van Halen literally bred the perfect replacement: his own son, Wolfgang, a 20-year-old virtuoso who’s reportedly going to be given more musical room to roam than his predecessor.

3) They do a kick-ass cover or two
Reportedly, the band has toyed for years with the idea of adding Wilson Pickett’s soul classic ‘In the Midnight Hour’ to their list of awesomely-done cover songs. From ‘You Really Got Me’ to ‘Pretty Woman’ and ‘You’re No Good,’ cover tunes have always been a highlight of new Van Halen records, and we’re ready for another unique reinvention on their next album.

2) They grow up … but not too much
Van Halen were somehow able to pull off signing school-boy songs like ‘Hot for Teacher’ as fully grown men back in the early ’80′s, but almost three decades later it’s hard to imagine that s— flying very far anymore. So, obviously the band’s lyrics and maybe even musical style needs to grow up … but only a bit. After all, who wants a Van Halen album that isn’t based on hard-rock riffs? Still, hopefully some measure of maturity, perhaps something resembling ‘Secrets’ from ‘Diver Down,’ is in the cards.

1) The spirit of their last tour continues
Against all odds, after more than two decades of acrimonious bickering, not to mention the respective parties following wildly divergent career paths, three of the original members of Van Halen got back together in 2007 for a reunion tour that raised eyebrows as much as anticipation. And yet, from the first moment the new Van Halen broke into ‘You Really Got Me’ on stage together, there was no question that their chemistry remained intact. If they can keep that spirit going, there’s no reason the new Van Halen album won’t be great.
————————————————————————————————————————————— ———

Five Things That Could Go Wrong With Van Halen’s New Album
by: Matthew Wilkening

Reportedly, Van Halen’s new album is recorded and soon to be unleashed onto the world. We’re pretty excited about it, as you can tell by our story entitled Five Things That Could Go Right With Van Halen’s New Album. However, it’s been nearly 30 years since the band recorded a new studio album with lead singer David Lee Roth, and they’ve never made one without original bassist Michael Anthony. So, it’s quite natural that fans might be nervous about how it’s all going to work. Here are Five Things That Could Go Wrong With Van Halen’s New Album:

5) David Lee Roth Tries to Actually Sing
Don’t get us wrong — David Lee Roth presided vocally over the best six albums Van Halen ever made, but you can’t call what he does, as tasteful and exciting as it is, singing, exactly. Problem is, working with a strong voice like Sammy Hagar’s seems to have spoiled Eddie Van Halen a bit; how else can you explain whatever Elvis-loungey-croon thing he’s trying to get Roth to do on 1996′s reunion track ‘Me Wise Magic?’ Hopefully “Diamond Dave” is allowed to play to his own strengths on the new Van Halen album.

4) The Songs Are Too Long
Van Halen’s self-titled debut album needed just under 36 minutes to change rock as we knew it. In fact, the six David Lee Roth-era albums clock in at an average time of under 34 minutes. By contrast, the “Van Hagar” records run about 50 minutes each, and ‘Van Halen III,’ with Gary Cherone, occupies nearly an hour. This longer approach may have worked with those two, more pure singers, but as the pair of five-minute-plus songs on 1996′s ‘Best of Volume 1′ (yes, we’re bringing those up again) proves, it doesn’t suit Roth quite so well.

3) Alex Van Halen Breaks Out the Synth-Drums
Of all the fears we have about the new Van Halen album, the prospect of Alex Van Halen breaking out his computerized drum pads, seen hear marring an otherwise organic, rocking live performance of the title track to 1986′s ’5150,’ is admittedly the most far-fetched. In fact, we’re pretty sure we saw him throw these things in the trash sometime in the early ’90s.

2) Michael Anthony’s Backing Vocals Can’t Be Replaced

It makes perfect sense that Eddie Van Halen would want his son Wolfgang, an amazingly talented musician, to play bass on the new Van Halen record. But two things concern us about the first-time absence of founding bassist Michael Anthony. First off, it was his solid, unflashy style that allowed Eddie to roam so freely on guitar, and second, his soaring back-up vocals covered up for Roth’s shortcomings on many records, as well as for the lead singer/showman’s lack of lyrical interest (“I forgot the f—ing words!”) at many concerts.

1) Eddie Takes Over Lead Vocals Again
It’s not that Eddie’s voice is all that bad — in fact it’s rather reminiscent of the half-spoken delivery of Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters. But, my goodness was ‘How Many Say I,’ from Van Halen’s last studio album, ‘Van Halen III,’ a deadly combination of apparent earnestness and a total lack of self-awareness. This is why you can’t surround yourself with “Yes men,” all you future rock stars!

[Seshmeister]

It makes perfect sense that Eddie Van Halen would want his son Wolfgang, an amazingly talented musician,

Maybe he is but has anyone seen or heard anything to back this up apart from alcoholic Eddie 'I can cure cancer' Van Halen?

[Jagermeister]

Maybe he is but has anyone seen or heard anything to back this up apart from alcoholic Eddie 'I can cure cancer' Van Halen?

No. Another instance of just because Ed said it , it must be true.

I still think the lack of any real news on this album is AMAZING. Which leads me to the absolute worst thing that could happen with it. It's never released.

[Seshmeister]

I think the article makes a good point about song length.

Without Roth in the studio when they were recording the music it will be 5 minute songs and longer that he is given to work with.

[chefcraig]

I think the article makes a good point about song length.

Without Roth in the studio when they were recording the music it will be 5 minute songs and longer that he is given to work with.

It's an astounding point when you take a few moments to review the track times. During the Roth era (six studio albums), the number of songs over 4 minutes is a relatively small 12. Compare that to the 44 songs over 4 minutes during the Hagar/Cherone eras (5 studio albums, discounting the live/compilations), and it really drives home the point that bigger is definitely not better.

Oh, and throw in the non-album tracks from the two greatest hits albums and the score becomes:

Roth - 14
Hagar/Cherone - 48!

[Seshmeister]

I'm guessing you didn't get much work done this morning. :D

[chefcraig]

Nah, it only took about three minutes to run through the discography. Besides, I didn't need to go in until noon.

[Seshmeister]

Hey I've got a few other stats.

1. Me Wise Magic is the longest Roth Van Halen song ever recorded and the only one over 6 minutes.

2. Only 3 other songs were ever over 5 minutes, Fools, Everybody Wants Some and Can't get that stuff no more.

3. Every song on Van Halen I and Diver Down is under 4 minutes long.


Damn this should be in my dead VH Songs forum...

[steve]

Alligator Pants
Lo-rez Sunset
Party Time
Red Bull & Pop Tarts
Walk Out