Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth

Listened to the whole album in the car. I need to give it a few more spins, but it sounds pretty good to me. It's certainly not going to top the first four albums, but it's a good listen nonetheless. The first song is kind of a dud. Surprised to read on the sticker that it's the choice as the single. The silly "stay frosty" song was sort of refreshing and fun. Reminds me of classic Dave-era stuff.

I think it was a mistake to not have Micheal Anthony on the album. His vocals really were as important to the band as Eddie's guitars and Alex's drums. They do some nice things with layering vocals, but it's not the same. As well, his bass runs are absent. I sort of wish I didn't know he wasn't in the band, but knowing I was listening for those things and they weren't there.

I need to give it a few more spins, but so far I'm liking what I am hearing.

S.D. wrote:

Dave's personality is the real difference between the two eras, he has the ability to "SELL IT" like few others in the hard rock world, it adds a sense of abandon and recklessness to the proceedings...and I think that attitude inspires the band to greater heights. That rooster-sure swagger is only present when DLR is fronting the band.

...when Hagar is on vocals it just doesn't work for me at all. When Dave is behind the wheel it's a badass muscle car...with Hagar it's a Volvo station wagon.

Well stated. Roth is not really a singer, he's a personality.

ultmetal wrote:

S.D. wrote:

Dave's personality is the real difference between the two eras, he has the ability to "SELL IT" like few others in the hard rock world, it adds a sense of abandon and recklessness to the proceedings...and I think that attitude inspires the band to greater heights. That rooster-sure swagger is only present when DLR is fronting the band.

...when Hagar is on vocals it just doesn't work for me at all. When Dave is behind the wheel it's a badass muscle car...with Hagar it's a Volvo station wagon.

Well stated. Roth is not really a singer, he's a personality.

I agree completely. I like Hagar's solo stuff a lot more than VanHagar; he just seemed to be going through the hit-making motions in VH IMO.

I always wondered what happened to the Hot For Teacher video babe. She is absolutely smokin' for 60 years old!


http://awards.music.yahoo.com/blog/171-hot-for-teacher-star-surfaces-after-bands-grammy-buzz

That's a 60 yr old???

Sign me up!

Well, I'll go to my grave loving the Van Hagar era. I think it showed a whole other side to what Ed was capable of. Believe it or not, it's not an easy thing to write catchy, memorable AOR hooks.

Either way, I'm a fan of the "Van Halen" entity is all it's forms...and there's no denying the magic present in the DLR era.

Listened to the album again on Spotify...it's really good. "Tattoo" still boggles my mind and IMO is clearly the weakest tune on the album. "Honeybabysweetiedoll" is like a blend of "Loss Of Conrtol" and "Pleasuredome". I love "As Is", "Big River" and "China Town". I will be picking this up next week.

I am going to pass on this one. Its ok and maybe ill get it used but i am not shelling out the dough full price for it.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Well, I'll go to my grave loving the Van Hagar era. I think it showed a whole other side to what Ed was capable of. Believe it or not, it's not an easy thing to write catchy, memorable AOR hooks.

What the hell do you know about AOR?!

DallasBlack wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Well, I'll go to my grave loving the Van Hagar era. I think it showed a whole other side to what Ed was capable of. Believe it or not, it's not an easy thing to write catchy, memorable AOR hooks.

What the hell do you know about AOR?!

best question of the day!!!

DallasBlack wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Well, I'll go to my grave loving the Van Hagar era. I think it showed a whole other side to what Ed was capable of. Believe it or not, it's not an easy thing to write catchy, memorable AOR hooks.

What the hell do you know about AOR?!

Not a damn thing...

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Well, I'll go to my grave loving the Van Hagar era. I think it showed a whole other side to what Ed was capable of. Believe it or not, it's not an easy thing to write catchy, memorable AOR hooks.

What the hell do you know about AOR?!

Not a damn thing...

i knew i should have read more before I bought those Line of Fire cds.....

tohostudios wrote:

That's a 60 yr old???

Sign me up!

I was really surprised myself. Cheryl Tiegs and Carol Alt are looking pretty good at their age, too.

I like both eras of Van Halen, though I slightly prefer Hagar.

I completely give the Hagar era credit, there are some good songs and they were nicely polished. It's just not my thing.

AOR is a 4-letter word to me.

I think Hagar is a good singer... but Dave is the better showman.

I prefer the Roth era over Van Hagar but 5150, OU812 and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge are great albums. Definitely a different sounding band. I think Carnal is the best Hagar album, great party rock for the most part.

The only Van Hagar song I like is "Right Now". Eddie's piano and guitar playing on that song is top-notch!

I finally broke down and bought it today. After being less than impressed with the samples I heard I wasn't planning on it. Its great to hear eddie really let loose on this disc. I don't know what I was thinking when I previewed this stuff. I must have been in an over critical/negative headspace because I've been having tons of fun cranking it. Even tattoo doesn't seem so bad without that atrocious video attached to it.

After a few spinnings: there are many good songs on this album. I like it although I'm not a huge VH fan. I'm especially into the last one. Beats Workin' is great.

I spun this album quite a bit in the car this weekend. Sounds great cranking out of a car stereo. Can't wait for summer when I can roll down the windows and blast it at my fellow motorists.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I spun this album quite a bit in the car this weekend. Sounds great cranking out of a car stereo. Can't wait for summer when I can roll down the windows and blast it at my fellow motorists.

Just turn it down when you go to pump gas...I hate "that guy"...

Will do

Listening to Chickenfoot III right now and Van Halen is the clear winner here. Chickenfoot is good, but it can't compare to the upbeat party that is A Different Kind of Truth.

I've come to appreciate the Van Hagar years and I like both Chickenfoot albums, but I'll always be partial to the Roth-era albums. They just had a swagger and attitude that can't be matched.

Call the VH reunion what it is...

My copy came today. I'll listen to it tomorrow on my way way to and from work.

Finally I can enter this fray...

I am a fan of Van Hagar, but I understand the detractors. The production was much more polished and the heaviness dissapeared (though it came back some in F.U.C.K.). The Roth era had certain magic to it that Van Hagar just could not match (and from the two DLR albums I have, it couldn't match it either). This album definatly brings that magic back. While the first four songs are decent, it really kicks in for me at Blood And Fire. I'm really enjoying this (though I have two more songs to go) and it should have plenty more spins from me in the future.