Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth

Troublezone wrote:

The new song is a little on the bland side... Eddie and Alex sound great. Unfortunately, DLR's vocals are kinda weak and the chorus is awkward.

I totally agree with everything you just stated. I just heard the song on the radio, and I said to myself, I think that sounds like a new Van Halen song, yet it seemingly had hardly any energy to whatsoever. I thought the vocals were really sub par, and with no Michael Anthony to bail them out on the vocal end of things, this could go down as a train wreck. The band obviously felt good about this song, otherwise you don't release it as the first single.

I'll refrain from making a hasty judgement. But I will say that after one listen I'm glad Dave is back. I missed the personality and charm he brings to a Van Halen track.

JBall_Z wrote:

I'll refrain from making a hasty judgement. But I will say that after one listen I'm glad Dave is back. I missed the personality and charm he brings to a Van Halen track.

Finally, someone on this thread who agrees with me! I love the song, and its great to have DLR back where he belongs.

Makes me wonder if Warner Bros' dropped them because this album is such a stinker and VH was rejecting their quality control/producer suggestions. Sometimes artists believe they are beyond reproach and really need it, despite their obvious talent.

I like it more each time I listen to it.

I like it - reminds me of classic Van Halen. Can't wait to hear the rest of the album!!!!

manny wrote:

Finally, someone on this thread who agrees with me! I love the song, and its great to have DLR back where he belongs.

You KNEW the internet was going to rally against the song. VH has hit that "can't do anything right" status.

Some fans have too much time on their hands with all the analyzing going on over the chorus, lyrics, etc.

Metal Misfit wrote:

manny wrote:

Finally, someone on this thread who agrees with me! I love the song, and its great to have DLR back where he belongs.

You KNEW the internet was going to rally against the song. VH has hit that "can't do anything right" status.

Some fans have too much time on their hands with all the analyzing going on over the chorus, lyrics, etc.

Oh, of course. No one can just dislike something these days; they have to justify it all with over-analysis.

Eyesore wrote:

Metal Misfit wrote:

manny wrote:

Finally, someone on this thread who agrees with me! I love the song, and its great to have DLR back where he belongs.

You KNEW the internet was going to rally against the song. VH has hit that "can't do anything right" status.

Some fans have too much time on their hands with all the analyzing going on over the chorus, lyrics, etc.

Oh, of course. No one can just dislike something these days; they have to justify it all with over-analysis.

Tell me what you didn't like about the verse.

manny wrote:

JBall_Z wrote:

I'll refrain from making a hasty judgement. But I will say that after one listen I'm glad Dave is back. I missed the personality and charm he brings to a Van Halen track.

Finally, someone on this thread who agrees with me! I love the song, and its great to have DLR back where he belongs.

Yeah, I think it's a good song and I'm excited about the new album. For me, Van Halen was never the same after Diamond Dave left. I haven't bought a new VH album (cassette) since 5150. But I'm buying this one!

It's getting better and better with each listen to me.

The new song is horrible. I hope the rest of the album is better.

Yeah I like it. I'd like to hear the rest of the album.

I dig the new tune as well. Not amazing, but not bad at all. But if it's the best track on the album, it might be a clunker.

I have to point out that IMO the lyrics are very clever:


(tattoo, tattoo)
show me your dragon magic
(tattoo, tattoo)
so autobiographic!

best believe that need will hurt you
best deceive these true colors that follow one of your false virtues

here’s a secret to make you think
why is the crazy stuff we never said poetry in ink
speak in day-glow red
explode paint
purple mountain’s majesty show me you, i’ll show you me

and even has a personal slice of history regarding one of his family members:


uncle danny had a gold tattoo
he fought for the unions
some of us still do
on my shoulder is a number of the chapter he was in
that number is forever like the struggle here to win

thejokeriv wrote:

I like it - reminds me of classic Van Halen. Can't wait to hear the rest of the album!!!!

Its a classic song by VAN HALEN (DOWN IN FLAMES) done today:
https://youtu.be/3kCj0VfD22o

I'll admit, 'Tattoo' is starting to grow on me. Sattellite radio is playing the crap out of it. Something about it strikes me as a DLR solo tune moreso than VH. Could be those Michael Anthony harmonies we miss so much. Not sure what it is.

I still think it's a poor lead-off single though. I hope there is stronger material on the album. If this is what the band or record company thinks is the "best" song on the new album, whoooo-boy!!

Looks like old songs aren't the only thing Van Halen is bringing up from the past...



Commodores, 1975...

That's hilarious! Van Halen's cover art designer plagerized The Commodores. Plus Kool and the Gang is the band's opening act.

JBall_Z wrote:

That's hilarious! Van Halen's cover art designer plagerized The Commodores.

Public-domain clip art doesn't cost nothin'.

And John Galt.



I still love that little EP.

Wow...

The best thing is going back to the proper Van Halen logo.

It's a crappy cover any way you look at it.

Eyesore wrote:

It's a crappy cover any way you look at it.

It is indeed kinda weak...but most VH artwork was never that great.