OT: Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth

[ckmoore]

Well, it has finally happened. A new Van Halen album with DLR back in the saddle.
Just like all over-hyped "reunions", you really want it to be great to relive that old magic, but in the back of your mind, you know its going to fall far, far short.

Guess what, this album is outstanding. Better than that, its like the alternative reality that is the album that Van Halen would have produced in 1984, had EVH not gotten distracted by the keyboards.

Make no mistake, this is vintage Van Halen. Lots of verse's with David just talking, just like the old days. I really thought EVH was getting washed up, but he is ripping some nice, fresh solos, and some uncharacteristically heavy riffs on a couple songs.

Its a joy to hear these new songs with the old VH style. Could even be nominated for a Grammy, I think it really is that good. There is nothing else like this these days....

.... its like 1985-now has been a bad nightmare, and we just woke up.

Its sad how Sammy Hagar has been doing the media rounds talking bad about everyone, and trashing the music.

full disclosure, I do love old Van Halen, so I may be predisposed to liking this...

[fastbike1]

Thanks for the mention, I heard about the album but hadn't gone looking yet.

I also confess to liking Van Halen.

[killa]

Well, it has finally happened. A new Van Halen album with DLR back in the saddle.
Just like all over-hyped "reunions", you really want it to be great to relive that old magic, but in the back of your mind, you know its going to fall far, far short.

Guess what, this album is outstanding. Better than that, its like the alternative reality that is the album that Van Halen would have produced in 1984, had EVH not gotten distracted by the keyboards.

Make no mistake, this is vintage Van Halen. Lots of verse's with David just talking, just like the old days. I really thought EVH was getting washed up, but he is ripping some nice, fresh solos, and some uncharacteristically heavy riffs on a couple songs.

Its a joy to hear these new songs with the old VH style. Could even be nominated for a Grammy, I think it really is that good. There is nothing else like this these days....

.... its like 1985-now has been a bad nightmare, and we just woke up.

Its sad how Sammy Hagar has been doing the media rounds talking bad about everyone, and trashing the music.

full disclosure, I do love old Van Halen, so I may be predisposed to liking this...

I have always thought Hagar was overhyped. Roth is irreplacable as the VH frontman.

[Wolf]

I've always liked Hagar more than Roth. Might be my age.

Later,
Wolf

[killa]

I've always liked Hagar more than Roth. Might be my age.

Later,
Wolf

Some hagar is ok but he turned vh into hagar. That was not ok. I'll add IMO to protect myself from the flames.

[ckmoore]

The thing is, the music was so fundamentally different between Van Halen and Van Hagar, that you kind of have to treat them as different bands.

Listen to 1984, then 5150. The difference is stark.

[Jeff B.]

Thanks! I'll have to check it out. Like you, I much prefer early Van Halen with DLH. I was never into the Sammy stuff. It's nice to know this new album fits with old VH.

[50 watt head]

The thing is, the music was so fundamentally different between Van Halen and Van Hagar, that you kind of have to treat them as different bands.

Listen to 1984, then 5150. The difference is stark.

Yes!

5150 is a decent album -- some interesting songs and guitar work.

1984 is THE high-water mark of 1980's rock guitar. Not only his playing, but Edward's tone on this album is one of the handful of greatest guitar tones ever captured on tape.

[jkrutke]

It's not bad but it kind of feels like something is missing without Michael Anthony's backup vocals. I think his value in the band was greatly underestimated.

[christianb]

I've always liked Hagar more than Roth. Might be my age.

Later,
Wolf

I used to like you, Ben.

[Whitneyville1]

SORRY!-Ol' Slowhand is only a step down from the late George Harrison as a string bender. Jeff Beck and Robin Trower aren't bad either, but Eddie is to the guitar as "The Killer" is to the piano vs: Rubinstein.

[fjhuerta]

Can't wait to get it. I always think of Van Halen as Eddie + DLR. If I could, I'd hop on a plane and catch any of their concerts.

1984, to me, defined my youth.

[czag]

It's not bad but it kind of feels like something is missing without Michael Anthony's backup vocals. I think his value in the band was greatly underestimated.

Exactly, Michael Anthony is the one who always gave Van Halen their sound. His high pitched chorus vocals were what gave the band's sound continuity throughout the changes.

Chris

[50 watt head]

It's not bad but it kind of feels like something is missing without Michael Anthony's backup vocals. I think his value in the band was greatly underestimated.

Michael Anthony is the one who always gave Van Halen their sound.

+1

[Mark65]

+2

[Kevin G.]

I agree with WOLF...
I remember the change in 84-85...I thought the two sounds would never mix...I was a HUGE VH fan.
Then came 5150...nevermind the "poppy" radio played stuff...the album started out with that "heellllooooo baaaaabbyyyy" and never stopped rocking you. The title track still gives me shivers. (Live Without A Net is still my favorite Concert vid...)
I grew to love the Sammy version. Saw them twice...then the very storied feud and breakup/reunion/breakup...saw them again. Wasn't the same, cause you knew what was going on behind the scenes.
I had seen Sammy a few times since...Then came the Sam and Dave Tour...I'm sorry Dave, I loved you in my youth, but Sammy blew you off the stage. He just puts on a better show. Dave is that guy you grew up with, that never grew up...It always has to be about him...and that comes out on stage...
I will definitely give this a listen and probably a buy. I look forward to it. the new single is good. Ed seems back on his game. (hopefully somewhat sober..)
I never wanted to believe it, but, now, I kinda think that all along it may have been Eddie and Alex that were always the hard-to-work-with entities of the band(s).

[fjhuerta]

Although I do like several Hagar songs, I think of DLR as the Freddie Mercury of the band.

Replace him, and no matter how good they were, it simply wasn't Van Halen...

[jinjuku]

It's not bad but it kind of feels like something is missing without Michael Anthony's backup vocals. I think his value in the band was greatly underestimated.

The bending over they gave Michael Anthony is just a shame. It's not the same formulation w/o him.

DLR's ouster I could kinda understand but MA? Just proved the brothers level of douchery.

If they put out another 'Mean Streets' type album I could be induced to forgive them.

[johnastockman]

Well, well, I guess it did happen. Considering how Roth was treated by the 'Halen bros, it sure shows you that actions & behaviour trump any words that are spoken. Roth's later clown-without-make-up songs were forgettable, not surprised he wasn't part of the band anymore. I saw Hagar when he was still in Montrose, and again during the "All Night Long" tour. One of the best live shows I ever saw. Gary Phil and Hagar having their "little battle", trading off lead guitar solos on Bad Motor Scooter was amazing. That's the Sammy Hagar I remember. Too bad that original All Night Long album can't be found on a good remastered CD. Fortunately, I still have my vinyl copy in great shape. Van Halen's first album was the first music/album I played through my new system (my first real nice stereo gear), a Yamaha CR-420 receiver and Yamaha YP-211/Grado turntable, through the Speakerlab S2's I just put together, in 1977. I sat there with a friend, eyes watering and goose-bumps, blown away by Atomic Punk and Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love. Seeing them as an opener for Black Sabbath in '78 was one of my favorite concerts. The new album lacks the solid bottom that Michael Anthony provided, and the harmony vocals. Guess I'm just a cynical old guy, but I expected more goose-bumps from the new effort. Michael Anthony's contribution and the lack of it on this album can be immediately heard...and missed.


John A.

[E Biddy]

A friend of mine once said, "it isn't that Sammy Hagar isn't good, he just doesn't know any better."

Interesting comment since he now likes the Van Hagar stuff more!