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

[MIB41]

... number TWO. 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...RLLuTKHF4AkGdA

[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.

I knew that might happen. I hope you like it Mark.

[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.

[kennermike]

Your such a Halen fan Tom!
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.

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!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlq0lYB3iSM
Im gonna dance around to this for you Tom

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



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. 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?