Official "A Different Kind of Truth" Album Review Thread

[DaveTheScott]

The album sounds great in shitty headphones and in my car...
Some think the videos aren't the greatest, but it's the nuances of their performance and the "off the cuff" feel that make them so good. That said, they're not something I'd sit and watch forty times.

I'm just disappointed there's no VH iPhone app. Maybe with a guitar you can play, some drums, a soundboard for some of Dave's quotes I can fuck around with during a meeting or a prank call...and Wolfie gets his own angry birds character.

That is all.

[evansm]

I've hardly stopped listening to the new album....Apart from the track Tattoo it is excellent (Tattoo being OK too but more like a laterDLR track than a VH track - still not a bad thing)......anyway - it inspired me...I'm not in a band....help out in a mates band from time to time but not playing so much rock.... I recorded a cover of 'you and your blues' just for a bit of fun using drum loops and playing everything else - I'm not a good vocalist or guitarist but here goes:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyg1dejcFVE

Further inspired by the new album i had a go at putting together a track rougly in Van Halen style...made plenty of references to their early songs:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkmGUiuF4F4

Whether you like them or not i'd like to get some feedback on the tracks...

Cheers,

Mark

http://www.youtube.com/evansmusic2009

[ashstralia]

hey, not bad buddy!

someone'll be along in just a moment.

[Coyote]

A local music rag, "Soundi" gave it 2/5 stars...

And I quote:
"It's been 14 years since the last studio album. More years since the last one that made history and nearly three decades since DLR left.
Reactions to Van Halens new album have been praising and especially excited. I can't understand why."

The rest of it is pure bitching. (About the songs being just re-worked demos, how it should've been better, the choruses are shudder-inducing, etc...)
Kinda like what some of us are doing here. Only more whiney.

And the final words:
"If you take away the lustful rage of the first album, the arena-ready songs and catchiness of "1984", you're left with a different kind of truth. An album made from left-over songs."

I'll bet the reviewer can't wait to get his hairy palms on the next Coldplay CD...

[silverfish]

Here's a 5 star review from Western NY's Rock Show Critique - link.

"After so many years of alcohol, infighting and egos, how does a tired old rock band
come back and pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat? Forget the rabbit. Make good
music not magic!

What Van Halen has done with their first studio album in 14 years, is pull out a hand
of aces from the back pocket of a faded old pair of jeans. Those aces became the
foundation on which they built a metal house of cards named A Different Kind Of Truth.

Upon first listening, you’ll find that this CD sounds exactly like old Van Halen—real Van
Halen! The truth is…it is."

[Yount]

Tears flow as again I listen to this album in it's entirety.

[guwapo_rocker]

I sent an email this afternoon to Kim Mitchell. The Canadians on here will recognize the name immediately.

Many of you may be familiar with him as the lead singer/lead guitarist of the band Max Webster from back in the day.

Anyhoo, he hosts a radio show in the afternoon here in Toronto now. I emailed him and simply stated how

I think the new album is killer, and would it be possible for him to spin some of the deeper tracks on the cd.

He replied within minutes, "Agreed..what a plowing record huh ****!!!! I played Stay Frosty yesterday.........thanks man."

Just thought it was nice of him to reply right away, and I was pleased to hear he loves the album, although I knew he would.

Going to tune in a little more from work and see what he plays over the next few days.

[ThatArtGuy]

I sent an email this afternoon to Kim Mitchell. The Canadians on here will recognize the name immediately.

If I ever hear that stupid "Patio Lanterns" song ever again, I'll shoot someone. (Stupid Canadian content laws...)

[guwapo_rocker]

If I ever hear that stupid "Patio Lanterns" song ever again, I'll shoot someone. (Stupid Canadian content laws...)

If it wasn't for that stupid law your favourite band "Platinum Blonde" would never be played on the radio. :D

Patio Lanterns (Kim Mitchell Band) was quite a shock to some compared to the kick ass material we got from Max Webster.

[ZahZoo]

Tears flow as again I listen to this album in it's entirety.

Big cry baby...

[Yount]

Big cry baby...

This album is beyond what I expected. So very happy here, unspoiled by progress.

[ThatArtGuy]

If it wasn't for that stupid law your favourite band "Platinum Blonde" would never be played on the radio.

Who?!? :D

[ThrillsNSpills]

Yep , one month later and this album steals my breath even at low volumes.

I'll have every note of it learned.
It's not that I even have a choice.
It's that compelling.

[chuckie lee]

John 5

Check out John 5's thoughts on the Album.......... Musicradar.com, he is a Cool cat..... And whats up with Chad hangin with the VH's... No Dave in the pic? Check out the pic on Wolfies tweet...

[Matt White]

JOHN5

"As it turns out, John 5 has ties to Van Halen - he wrote and recorded with David Lee Roth in the late '90s - and on the subject of the band's new album, A Different Kind Of Truth, he's quick to sing its praises. "It's amazing!" he enthuses.

"I love the new Van Halen record," the guitarist says. "Let me rephrase that: I love, love, love the new Van Halen record. It's heavy. If you really sit down and listen to it, it's totally heavy. The band isn't playing it safe at all, and that's what's so great about it."

When the album's first song, Tattoo, was released, many folks were less than impressed. John 5, however, quickly chalked it up as a winner. "It's a wonderful song," he chips. "I remember everybody going, 'Ahhh, I don't know about this Tattoo.' But I'll tell you, by the second or third time I heard it, it was in my head. And that's the mark of any great song - it stays with you."

JOHN5 ROCKS!!!