New Van Halen album with Dave back debuts at...

[MIB41]

... number TWO. :sarky: It seems the Dave curse is alive and well. This matches the highest chart for any Van Halen record with David Lee Roth. 1984 with all of it's hits, only managed the number two spot as well.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CEcQqQIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Fnews%2Fadele-s-21-hits-20th-week-at-no-1-van-halen-1006195752.story&ei=Uek7T9XwOc7rggfe0oCZCw&usg=AFQjCNHOfMdzvarM54fXRLLuTKHF4AkGdA

[Adam West]

Does anyone have the album and is it worth buying?

[MIB41]

I have it. It's worth is based on your expectation. If you ask a rabid Roth/Van Halen fan, they'll tell you it's best invention since spice racks. Where that comes from, I have no idea. If you ask me, I'll say it's an odd record that doesn't reflect catchy tunes heard from either the Roth or Hagar era. If you've heard Tattoo, you've heard the most radio friendly song on
the record. The rest of the record is surprisingly heavy. Eddie does alot of guitar slashing on this. If your looking for more of the standard Van Halen song that has a catchy hook and chorus, it's not here. There's been a lot of chatter about these songs coming from old recordings originally composed in the mid 70's. And some of these are just that. BUT...don't let that fool you into thinking there's a classic tune in there. There's no songs like Running with the Devil or Jamies Crying. These songs are straight ahead, almost metal sounding, tunes. And from my perspective you can park this record closer to Van Halen III in terms of song quality than you can any record previous to it.

[MegoMark71]

Thanks for that review. I'm thinking now i'll pick it up.

[EMCE Hammer]

I have it. It's worth is based on your expectation. If you ask a rabid Roth/Van Halen fan, they'll tell you it's best invention since spice racks. Where that comes from, I have no idea. If you ask me, I'll say it's an odd record that doesn't reflect catchy tunes heard from either the Roth or Hagar era. If you've heard Tattoo, you've heard the most radio friendly song on
the record. The rest of the record is surprisingly heavy. Eddie does alot of guitar slashing on this. If your looking for more of the standard Van Halen song that has a catchy hook and chorus, it's not here. There's been a lot of chatter about these songs coming from old recordings originally composed in the mid 70's. And some of these are just that. BUT...don't let that fool you into thinking there's a classic tune in there. There's no songs like Running with the Devil or Jamies Crying. These songs are straight ahead, almost metal sounding, tunes. And from my perspective you can park this record closer to Van Halen III in terms of song quality than you can any record previous to it.

I don't have it yet, but have heard most of the songs. I'm buying it, there are enough bright spots for me. BUT, there are some songs that are every bit as bad as VHIII. I forget the name of the Ice Cream Man knockoff song, but I think it's horrible. I do miss Mikey's backing vocals in some places; DLR doesn't sound bad IMO but they can do wonders with editing these days.

It's better than Chinese Democracy.

[MIB41]

I don't have it yet, but have heard most of the songs. I'm buying it, there are enough bright spots for me. BUT, there are some songs that are every bit as bad as VHIII. I forget the name of the Ice Cream Man knockoff song, but I think it's horrible. I do miss Mikey's backing vocals in some places; DLR doesn't sound bad IMO but they can do wonders with editing these days.

It's better than Chinese Democracy.

Stay Frosty is the song your referring to.

[MIB41]

Thanks for that review. I'm thinking now i'll pick it up.

:smiley1: I knew that might happen. I hope you like it Mark. :smiley12:

[GlobalObserver]

I like it, but I really miss Michael Anthony's background vocals.

[Adam West]

Thanks for the review. I think I might pick it up as well.

[MIB41]

Hey I'm going to call the Van Halen camp asking for marketing royalties if these sales keep increasing. :smiley1:

[kennermike]

Your such a Halen fan Tom!:googly::drool_y::smiley1::smiley1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlq0lYB3iSM
Im gonna dance around to this for you Tom

[EMCE Hammer]

Hey I'm going to call the Van Halen camp asking for marketing royalties if these sales keep increasing. :smiley1:

I'm not a hard sell - I bought VHIII! I'm a big DaveVH fan, but honestly my favorite Sammy songs - Right Now, Humans Being - hell, even Crossing Over - are better than most if not all of the new CD. I can live with that. I'll take "....mousewife to momshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo......" anytime.

[MIB41]

Your such a Halen fan Tom!:googly::drool_y::smiley1::smiley1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlq0lYB3iSM
Im gonna dance around to this for you Tom

:smiley1: Well I do know where all of the Van Hagar albums debuted.. Can you guess?

http://megomuseum.com/mmgallery/files/3/7/4/Sammynumberone.jpg (http://megomuseum.com/mmgallery/showimage.php?i=19617&c=3)

Seriously I never made any great distinction between Dave or Sammy. I loved both incarnations. The only two I haven't cared for are this one and Van Halen III. I pretty much love the rest. All classic stuff. So yeah. You can pretty much call me a fan.

[MegoMark71]

Back in 84 i was such a little metalhead. Dang that was a good time for hair bands. You had Van Halen ripping it up, Motley with Shout at the Devil, Metallica before they cut their balls off, ACDC, and so much more.

[MIB41]

Back in 84 i was such a little metalhead. Dang that was a good time for hair bands. You had Van Halen ripping it up, Motley with Shout at the Devil, Metallica before they cut their balls off, ACDC, and so much more.

Good times indeed. Funny thing though. The bands I watched wearing makeup in the 70's were taking it off while the new bands were putting it on. What people forget about is how much bands like KISS got dissed by those new groups. Now there's a kind of brotherhood to the whole thing. I believe you can thank Eddie Trunk for that. But watching the Metal Show is really starting to get me bummed because I'm feeling my age big time. Those "hair" bands don't have alot of hair left. :smiley1: The worst ones are those who still try to wear it long when you can see more of their scalp than the hair. That is a little...nappy? :please_y:

[Steeler80]

... number TWO. :sarky: It seems the Dave curse is alive and well. This matches the highest chart for any Van Halen record with David Lee Roth. 1984 with all of it's hits, only managed the number two spot as well.



What albums ahead of it? 1984 was/is a terrific album but nothing was going to dislodge Thriller that year.

I'll probably get this. Back in high school, I got into actual arguments about Van Halen being the best band ever (age has seen me go to Led Zepp) so I'm a big fan. I have to say I didn't even get III though. Couldn't stomach the thought of it.

[madmarva]

Not really interested in the new album, but I would like to catch a tour date.

Love David Lee Roth's charisma, but actually liked their music better with Hagar.

[torgospizza]

The rest of the record is surprisingly heavy. Eddie does alot of guitar slashing on this...These songs are straight ahead, almost metal sounding, tunes.

That's sold me on it. Will be picking it up this weekend.

[galaxyexplorer42]

Guitar World magazine's website was posting 45 second clips of each song as they became available, and I was listening to those as they came out. I pretty much dug all of em. I'm sure i'll get the album soon..... I still have the first 6 VH albums, and still listen to all of them.... DOA is still probably my favorite VH song, & the first album is still my favorite VH album.... I'm glad to hear that the new album has an overall "heavy" tone to it......

[boss]

I've been listening to it for about a week. There aren't a lot of hooks but there aren't any stinkers either. I told my wife if you took the first 6 albums and removed you favorite 2 songs off each, this record would fit right in.

Plus, DLR can still turn a phrase.

[jacoblb]

I like the album and the more I listen to it the more it's growing on me. Tom, pretty much said it all in prior posts. If you're a hardcore fan of Roth there's no reason to skip this album.

On one hand I'd like to think that the band had plenty of time with their post "Greatest hits" reunion to make this album as good as possible. On the other hand, I wonder if the best is yet to come and they just need to get in their groove after a long absence. And ditto, Michael Anthony is sorely missed. Fortunately, Chickenfoot takes care of that longing.

[Bulldog6125]

At first I only liked a few of the songs but now after listening to it several times I am really into the whole cd.

[Blue Meanie]

I went to the page that was posted a few weeks back to get a sample of the album...and it gave you parts of the songs...it all sounded like one REALLLLLLLY long song. Nothing about it impressed me one bit. Lot of the vocals are double tracked cause Dave can't sing anymore. That's one thing you didn't have to worry about with Sammy...you ask him to hit that high note and he did. Same went for Michael Anthony. I personally think that this is one last hurrah for VH. Everyone will make big $$$ off of the tour and Eddie will call it a career.

[huedell]

I've been really waiting for this album... and my biggest disappointment was
Dave's compromised high range, and the various odd production choices.

I really have loved the album overall though... people have said there are minimal hooks.... like a lackluster DLR solo album.... and sorry but
I can't see it that way as the 1998 DLR band album was made pretty
much in a Van Halen style and there's only like 3 songs on there that I
think are above average, while on the new Vh album... I think about 6 songs
are.... and I think 6 songs over 3 songs is an achievement of sorts.

[Captain_Dan]

Ive been listening to it since it came out and I love it. It is heaveier than I thought, except for Tattoo. Dave still has his catchy lyrics and Ed hasnt lost his skills at all. Daves voice is not what it was 30 years ago during 1984, but can still pull it off fairly well. It did debut at #2 behind Adel. In this day and age, any classic rock band to come in in the the top 10 is impressive. It is the #1 cd on billboards rock albums chart. I suggest any rock fans to purchase it, good ol classic Van Halen. :cool_y:

[Nostalgiabuff]

I don't know. i lost a lot of respect for the band after the kicked Sammy out. then when they forced MA out as well i said that was it. i won't even give it a listen. the VH brothers are strange people

[boss]

I think about 6 songs are.... and I think 6 songs over 3 songs is an achievement of sorts.

I'm curious, which 6 do you like? Here are the one's I dig (by track order):

Tattoo
She's the Woman
Blood and Fire
As Is
Stay Frosty
Big River

Outta Space is starting to grow on me, too.

[huedell]

boss...

I'd say 1- Blood And Fire 2- You And Your Blues 3- Bullethead
4- As Is 5- She's The Woman and 6- Big River are the "greats" to me.

7- Beats Workin' 8- China Town 9- The Trouble With Never
and 10- Outta Space, are the second wave of quality to me... pretty good,
but not as good as the others above.

11- Stay Frosty and 12- HoneyBabySweetieDoll are just "okay" to me...

and 13- Tattoo is my least favorite song on the album.

[Steeler80]

I don't know. i lost a lot of respect for the band after the kicked Sammy out. then when they forced MA out as well i said that was it. i won't even give it a listen. the VH brothers are strange people

Like I said, VH was, bar none, my favorite band in high school but I lost touch with them after I got out of college (for instance, I've never listened to III--although I've heard that's no big loss). What's the stories behind their forcing out of Sammy and MA? I heard some bits and pieces and lost quite a bit of respect for the VH brothers as a result.

For instance, I understand Eddie wanting his son to play with him, but why force Anthony out? Why not let Wolfie play keyboard or rhthym guitar? Having another guitar under Eddie's would give Ed some more freedom.

[Nostalgiabuff]

I understand they not only forced mike out but made him sell off his rights to royalties as well

[torgospizza]

Got it earlier, and my first impression isn't so much that it sounds like old VH, but Eddie playing on a DLR Band album. There were only a couple tracks I thought stood out, but I'm a tough sell--almost every album I love that was released after the 80s has had to grow on me.

[galaxyexplorer42]

I'm assuming the opening night of the tour in Louisville is ending right about now.... Did anybody go? Any feedback?

[toysrus]

Seems like it was a great show.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/van-halen-2012-tour-review/





I'm assuming the opening night of the tour in Louisville is ending right about now.... Did anybody go? Any feedback?

[huedell]

This whole thing of them adding songs to the setlist they haven't done since
VHII/W&CF era is getting some attention.

[MIB41]

Van Halen 2012 Tour Set List – Louisville, Kentucky

‘You Really Got Me’
‘Runnin’ With the Devil’
‘She’s the Woman’
‘Romeo Delight’
‘Tattoo’
‘Everybody Wants Some!!’
‘Somebody Get Me a Doctor’
‘China Town’
‘Mean Streets’
‘Pretty Woman’
Drum Solo
‘Unchained’
‘The Trouble With Never’
‘Dance the Night Away’
‘I’ll Wait’
‘Hot for Teacher’
‘Women in Love’
‘Outta Love Again’
‘Beautiful Girls’
‘Ice Cream Man’
‘Panama’
Guitar Solo
‘Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love’
‘Jump’

[GSPUSA]

I don't have it yet, but I will as soon as I can. I do have tickects to see them in March.

[Cosmicman]

I never would have thought in a million years that this new Van Halen album would have debuted with such high numbers. I've been playing it. Anyone watch the little DVD jam on the two disc? Some didn't get the two disc dvd.
Ian Gillan released his latest album with a CD on one side and a DVD on the other (Flip it over) that's what Van Halen and bands should do from now on.