For the First Time Since 1984, Van Halen is Back
Van Halen is back, and despite lack luster reviews of the first single "Tattoo" from their new album called A Different Kind of Truth, they are sounding as good as they on 1984, Roth's last album with Van Halen.
The album is FULL of Eddie Van Halen greatness. It is quite refreshing to hear the same rocking type of guitar songs that took Van Halen to the top early in their career. There seems to be a nice mix of material on the album, from fast rockin' "As Is", to a southern bluegrass "Stay Frosty" intro, then right through with some heavy blues groovin riffs in "Beats Workin'". One thing is for certain as you listen to this album if you're older than 30 years of age, is the nostalgia you feel hearing Eddie's guitar style paired with David Lee Roth's vocals. David Lee Roth gives solid vocal performances, and you have to admit, that he sounds just as good now as he did when he left Van Halen 28 years ago. That's right...Van Halen started in 1972, which was 40 years ago. David Lee Roth left in 1985 after the wildly successful release and tours from the album 1984.
With Eddie giving it his all on guitars and his brother Alex minding the skins with ease, the only missing part of the original group that made it big is still Michael Anthony. Anthony is still playing, but he's over with Sammy Hagar fronted supergroup Chickenfoot, and it's unlikely he'll return to Van Halen any time soon. Eddie's son Wolfgang has been on bass for Van Halen since 2006, and some tours prior to that since 2004.
A Different Kind of Truth (Deluxe Version)Track Listing:
- Tattoo
- She's the Woman
- You and Your Blues
- China Town
- Blood and Fire
- Bullethead
- As Is
- Honeybabysweetiedoll
- The Trouble with Never
- Outta Space
- Stay Frosty
- Big River
- Beats Workin
- Panama (The Downtown Sessions)
- You and Your Blues (Intro)[The Downtown Sessions]
- You and Your Blues (The Downtown Sessions)
- Beautiful Girls (The Downtown Sessions)
The album is a solid piece to add to your Van Halen collection, though I'm a little puzzled as to why they released "Tattoo" as the first single. It is in my opinion, the weakest song on the album. Maybe they were just giving us a taste, knowing there was much more to hit us with on the album, but you gotta give us a reason to buy it. "Tattoo" for me, is not that reason, but the rest of the album is.
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