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really !!!??? Crack is right. Fucking critics !! You either like a song or you don't. Everyone is different.this guy is on crack...either that or the 86-04 replacement singer wrote this review....
van halen
a different kind of truth
fair warning, van halen fans: How you feel about the reunited arena-rockers’ first album in 28 years may depend on your definition of the word ‘new.’
plain and simple, a different kind of truth is a different kind of comeback record. For this long-awaited disc, singer david lee roth and his clan of bandmates — guitar hero eddie, wild-man drummer alex and eddie’s precocious son wolfgang replacing bassist non grata michael anthony — didn’t sit down and write 13 songs from scratch. Instead, they raided the vault for unreleased demos and rarities from the ’70s and ’80s, which they revamped, recut and refurbished with new lyrics, melodies and even titles in most cases.
Nothing wrong with that. Bands do it all the time. The stones’ tattoo you was similarly assembled from leftovers and outtakes, and nobody calls shenanigans on that. Besides, what would you rather hear: Old van halen or new van halen? Thought so.
Having said that, something feels hinky here. Unearthing buried treasures is one thing, but basing a comeback album around a whack of songs that didn’t make the cut three decades ago smacks of desperation and deception. It makes you wonder: Is eddie’s well dry? Does he not care? Are he and roth simply unable to work together? And if they did want to release these oldies, why renovate them? Why not just polish up the old tracks and issue them in a box, as the stones did with some girls and exile on main st.?
Whatever position you take, the real question is: Does the freakin’ thing fly? Well, half and half. The brothers van halen are still the two horsemen of their own musical apocalypse. Eddie leads the charge, reeling off his usual pyrotechnic explosions and dive-bomb effects while alex thunders and gallops alongside. Just hearing them work their crazy mojo again is a blast, even if it is from the past. Wolf, for what it’s worth, seems to hold up his end on the bass, though anthony’s massive, high-altitude backup vocals are sorely missed. But the real fly in the ointment, sadly, is roth. He’s still got some
powerhouse pipes, but he’s lost his trademark cat-in-heat yowl. Even worse, age hasn’t necessarily enhanced his melodic and lyrical abilities — he’s often wordy and unfocused here, singing against the beat and sacrificing melody for words. Ultimately, a few tunes burn serious rubber, but much of the disc feels like a retread.
For the once-mighty van halen, that’s different all right. But truthfully, it’s not always a good kind of different.
Tattoo | 4:46
they don’t exactly come out swinging on this midtempo single based on the unreleased ’70s tune down in flames. It’s basically the jump of the album. But not as catchy.
She's the woman | 2:59
this funky rocker dates back to some 1976 demos funded by gene simmons. But roth’s new lyrics and stronger melody actually improve the song. Score one for him.
You and your blues | 3:45
another midtempo number with a chuggy riff and some lung-busting vocals, word is it comes from eddie’s instrumental score to the 1984 film the wild life.
China town | 3:17
a monstrous thrash riff, pumping double-bass drumming from alex and plenty of firepower. Don’t know when this was written, but it’s the heaviest track so far. About time.
Blood and fire | 4:28
originally titled ripley and included on the wild life soundtrack, this starts with folksy arpeggios, shifts into a chiming pop-rocker, then builds to an anthemic chorus. Not bad.
Bullethead | 2:33
a hard-driving riff-rocker that made regular appearances in the band’s show in the ’70s. Roth updates the lyrics again, but i prefer the original: It has more momentum. And a drum solo.
As is | 4:49
speaking of alex, he opens this one with some tom-tom thunder, before the whole thing explodes into a high-speed firecracker a la hot for teacher. Roth’s lyrics are suitably randy.
Honeybabysweetiedoll | 3:49
eddie and co. Lay down some low-down heavy funk. Roth doesn’t have much to do — and when he does chip in, he’s all over the beat and jamming in way too many words. A near miss.
The trouble with never | 4:01
more funk-rock — but with a big arena-rock chorus full of stacked harmonies and some wah-wah pedal work from eddie. This could be a single.
Outta space | 2:56
back to the oldies. Fans may know this propulsive basher as let’s get rocking from those 1976 demos. The new lyrics are goofy, but roth really belts out the vocals. So-so.
Stay frosty | 4:10
it’s a blatant knockoff of ice cream man, from acoustic-blues opening to boogie-metal ending. One problem: Roth’s motormouthed metaphysical jibber-jabber.
Big river | 3:53
in the ’70s, it was called big trouble. With the four-on-the-floor beat and giant ringing chords, it’s sort of a poor cousin to runnin’ with the devil.
Beats workin' | 5:03
one last blast from the past — 1976’s put out the lights is the source for a midtempo slice of funky cowbell-plonk rock.Comment
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Valid how ?? He said some of the songs are old demos & bitches that he doesn't like others. goood fooor him !! Don't listen. I don't love Tattoo. I think it should have stayed Down In Flames. And I hate the keyboard under it. But can't wait too see it live because that is what it should have sounded like on the album. More raw !! Big River, a poor mans cousin too Devil ??!! REALLY THANKS FOR THE INFO. He really is informed !! About what I have no idea ?? Fuck reviewers.Last edited by 78/84 guy; 02-05-2012, 01:08 PM.Comment
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I think it's a trip reading how just about everyone has a different favorite song on the album...
Also, while everyone has a favorite song, there isn't a clear cut #1 song and there isn't a clear cut clunker (Elvis might disagree with that one).....Eat Us And Smile - The Originals
"I have a very belligerent enthusiasm or an enthusiastic belligerence. I’m an intellectual slut." - David Lee Roth
"We are part of the, not just the culture, but the geography. Van Halen music goes along with like fries with the burger." - David Lee RothComment
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"Big River" is my flavor of the day today. It fucking kills!Comment
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THis is probs the wrong thread ... but hey what the fuck i'll pay ya for it .
Just came back from the offy ( were you buy beer in the uk) walks in .. and tattoo is playing on the radio first time ive heard it on the radio .. am like top of voice "fucking ell its van halen ,,, its the new single yeah class "and do some crazy other shit ... up shot scared the shit out of the shop keeper bloke who i think may have thought he was gettting robbed and didnt realy need to know i was getting the cd tuesday and it fucking rocks .. But the kind man did let me have 8 cans of stella and i didnt get arrested ..so alls well that ends well
fuck your fucking framingComment
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THis is probs the wrong thread ... but hey what the fuck i'll pay ya for it .
Just came back from the offy ( were you buy beer in the uk) walks in .. and tattoo is playing on the radio first time ive heard it on the radio .. am like top of voice "fucking ell its van halen ,,, its the new single yeah class "and do some crazy other shit ... up shot scared the shit out of the shop keeper bloke who i think may have thought he was gettting robbed and didnt realy need to know i was getting the cd tuesday and it fucking rocks .. But the kind man did let me have 8 cans of stella and i didnt get arrested ..so alls well that ends well
and it's the perfect place...Roth Army Icon
First official owner of ADKOT (Deluxe Version)Comment
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THis is probs the wrong thread ... but hey what the fuck i'll pay ya for it .
Just came back from the offy ( were you buy beer in the uk) walks in .. and tattoo is playing on the radio first time ive heard it on the radio .. am like top of voice "fucking ell its van halen ,,, its the new single yeah class "and do some crazy other shit ... up shot scared the shit out of the shop keeper bloke who i think may have thought he was gettting robbed and didnt realy need to know i was getting the cd tuesday and it fucking rocks .. But the kind man did let me have 8 cans of stella and i didnt get arrested ..so alls well that ends well
I heard Tattoo on Friday too! Was in the parking lot of Home Depot pondering my very existence when a truck pulls around BLASTING it out the windows. Put a huge smile on my face. Been a long time since I've heard new VH from a pickup truck.“Great losses often bring only a numb shock. To truly plunge a victim into misery, you must overwhelm him with many small sufferings.”Comment
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Funny story dude, the punchline for me was the 8 cans of stella.THis is probs the wrong thread ... but hey what the fuck i'll pay ya for it .
Just came back from the offy ( were you buy beer in the uk) walks in .. and tattoo is playing on the radio first time ive heard it on the radio .. am like top of voice "fucking ell its van halen ,,, its the new single yeah class "and do some crazy other shit ... up shot scared the shit out of the shop keeper bloke who i think may have thought he was gettting robbed and didnt realy need to know i was getting the cd tuesday and it fucking rocks .. But the kind man did let me have 8 cans of stella and i didnt get arrested ..so alls well that ends well
Now who`s that babe with the fab-u-lous shad-ow?Comment
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It is interesting isn't it !? There is no CLUNKER on this album IMO all the music is really interesting. Hell she's the Woman might be the most boring song on the cd. And it's still cool. It's all on You Tube but 3 full songs at this point. The only one I havent heard all the way through is Big River. This album has passion and alot of balls !! It's couldn't be much better. Maybe put Mike on it but i'm not missing him. Wolf sounds great on it. I think his playing challenged Ed to push himself in a way nobody maybe even he could have dreamed of. If Wolf is the big reason Dave is back & Ed is playing so well then sorry Mike !! Love ya dude but.... !! Ed hasn't played good live since 98, looks like that has changed !! Chinatown will win a best song pole around here I would think. Need too set one up on Tuesday.Last edited by 78/84 guy; 02-05-2012, 02:58 PM.Comment
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Originally posted by wiseguyComment
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Got my copy yesterday!!!
I can't tell you how jazzed I am. Amazing songs, amazing singing, playing, lyrics, the works!! The total VH package. Wait until you read Dave's lyrics. The man truly is a rock and roll poet. Pure genius. The magic between these guys is undeniable. But what I really liked what was each band member was thankful for. I won't spoil the surprise, but I absolutely loved what Dave had to say.
You're all in for a treat...cuz the boys are back in a big way!
Go Giants!!!Comment
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