Van Halen has been rocking the world since the 1978 with the release of their eponymous debut album. Since then they have gone through immense success as well as extreme turmoil. The height of the bands success came in 1984 as their run of immensely successful albums with original lead singer came to a close and the band seemed to split up. They seemed to have found an adequate replacement when they hit the scene again in 1985 with front man Sammy Hagar leading the band. Slowly but surely the bands popularity declined, possibly due to the changing times, although most blamed it on Sammy Hagar. In 1996 the band once again broke up leaving the three members alone without a singer. For three years, one album (that most view as a failure), and a lot of touring, the band attempted to fill the front man role with Gary Cherone, previously of Extreme. Unfortunately, this was not a good match for either parties involved, and they parted ways. Now after 28 years the band is ready to release a new album with original lead singer David Lee Roth.
The new album, entitled A Different Kind of Truth, is a landmark in the band in so many ways. First off, as stated above the album is the first in 28 years to feature lead singer David Lee Roth. Also note-worthy is that it is the first album to feature Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang, behind the bass due to irreconcilable. I can say first hand that I have seen Wolfgang perform live on the 2007-2008 David Lee Roth reunion tour, and he is fantastic. As a bass player Van Halen alumni Michael Anthony was not known for his playing, he was known for his high pitched back-up vocals. Well as far as musicianship I have to say that Wolfgang surmounts Anthony tenfold, and when I saw the band live the back-up vocals harmonization (which the band is somewhat known for) were absolutely phenomenal.
Also recently released was an acoustic recording of the band's classic Kinks cover "You Really Got Me". In this live "stripped" there is now way to artificially replace the back up vocals which were definitely up to the high standard that has been set! If even mildly interested I would check this video out to silence any of the nay sayers.
The next goody that has been released by the band to date is the lead single and music video "Tattoo". Upon first listen this song has caught many listeners off guard. After all this time people really didn't know exactly what to expect. Personally I was not exactly in love with the song the first time i heard it, however, each time I listen to it I enjoy it more and more. The vocals are not bad, but after the years David Lee Roth is simply not able to scream and yell like he used to, some listeners may have trouble adjusting and accepting this. The drums are not too fancy or up front, but they are solid and much less cheesy than the drum pads Alex used during the 80's. The bass is not as up front as some of us might have hoped, but there is certainly nothing to complain about. Lastly, Eddie van Halen sounds fantastic on the guitar, nice crunchy guitar tone and he really gets to let loose on the solo. There has been some controversy about this song and the fact that the music is a reworked version of their old club (and never before released) song titled "Down in Flames". In regards to that, many, many, many songs that Van Halen has released over their entire career have been based off of old songs from the surplus that they had written prior to their first album. Personally I think it is great that they are trying to capture the spirit and music that they used to have when they were young, the songs so far have a youthful energy which is excellent considering the dark and tumultuous relationships experienced by the band in recent years.
The third and final sample available thus far is my personal favorite "Stay Frosty". This is a blues oriented rocker with similar musical formula to Van Halen classics "Take Your Whisky Home" and "Full Bug" and most of all "Ice Cream Man". In fact many fans are calling the song "Ice Cream Man Part 2". The song begins with excellent acoustic guitar and Dave's good if not a little too speedy lyrics. Towards the end of the sample is when the treasure chest opens and the band floods in and unleashes this unrelenting battle ground of noise that could only be created by three men, nay three gods, with the name Van Halen!
Until February 7th this is what I have to offer the hungry Van Halen loving masses. Enjoy, and Stay Frosty!
The next song to have been released is the track "Blood and Fire". This is another rework of an unreleased tune, this one from 1984 titled "Ripley". This song is very pop oreinted with a classic mainstream Van Halen vibe such as a "Little Guitars" or "Dance the Night Away" happy light-hearted feeling. The guitar tone is very reminiscent of more recent Van Halen work (in the last 15 years) and is very clean as opposed to the crunchy dirty "brown sound" Ed was said to have in the "classic era". The vocals aren't bad from Dave, although some listeners may have been expecting something heavier from a tune titled "Blood and Fire". The bass is lively in the sample so far from this song, although what I know from Wolfgang is that he has a lot more talent to be expressed later on. Alex sounds so classic retro Van Halen on the drums this time, really takes fans back to the good old days.
The third and final sample available thus far is my personal favorite "Stay Frosty". This is a blues oriented rocker with similar musical formula to Van Halen classics "Take Your Whisky Home" and "Full Bug" and most of all "Ice Cream Man". In fact many fans are calling the song "Ice Cream Man Part 2". The song begins with excellent acoustic guitar and Dave's good if not a little too speedy lyrics. Towards the end of the sample is when the treasure chest opens and the band floods in and unleashes this unrelenting battle ground of noise that could only be created by three men, nay three gods, with the name Van Halen!
Until February 7th this is what I have to offer the hungry Van Halen loving masses. Enjoy, and Stay Frosty!
