The Van Halen Thread

[RLP4ever]

Ron Paul, you gotta be winding me up, right? Fine, you're totally unimpressed with what you've heard of the new VH tunes. I reckon you aren't considering buying the new album, coming Tuesday, then. For me, though, it's feeling like the longest five days of my life.

Btw, I don't know if you're a fan of Chicken(shit), but that's the band Joe is, in fact, involved with, along with Sammy 'The Horrible' Hagar, of course.

[8bit Fighter]

For me, though, it's feeling like the longest five days of my life.

Make that ten to fifteen days for me. I bought it cheap for $12.99, the deluxe edition. I remembered being little disappointed hearing Tattoo, so I decided to not hear anymore tracks until I get the album.

[RLP4ever]

@8bit Fighter
Mate, you aren't alone among VH fans committed to buying the new album, in deciding not to check out any of the other tracks (after Tattoo). Many fans have been waiting on, and been counting down the days to the release on the 7th. Even Eddie tweeted me two nights ago, telling me to wait to buy and hear the "awesome" (his word ) ADKT, in full. And also to tell him how I felt HE sounded on guitars. I'm stoked as can be.

@Ron Paul Iommi
RPI, I know what you're saying; I can even easily agree, to an extent. But you know what, mate, I'd still urge all long-standing VH fans to listen to the new album with an open mind, not instantly make unrealistic comparisons to classic-VH of '78-'84, and I'm actually hoping that many of these new songs will, over time, become cool, classic tunes, in their own right. Let's all find out, really soon, ok.

[Soul Sucker]

@8bit Fighter
Mate, you aren't alone among VH fans committed to buying the new album, in deciding not to check out any of the other tracks (after Tattoo). Many fans have been waiting on, and been counting down the days to the release on the 7th. Even Eddie tweeted me two nights ago, telling me to wait to buy and hear the "awesome" (his word ) ADKT, in full. And also to tell him how I felt HE sounded on guitars. I'm stoked as can be.

@Ron Paul Iommi
RPI, I know what you're saying; I can even easily agree, to an extent. But you know what, mate, I'd still urge all long-standing VH fans to listen to the new album with an open mind, not instantly make unrealistic comparisons to classic-VH of '78-'84, and I'm actually hoping that many of these new songs will, over time, become cool, classic tunes, in their own right. Let's all find out, really soon, ok.

I've heard the full album... If you like Fair Warning, you wont be disappointed. The music is heavy, it's catchy as fuck and it makes you wanna bang your head. Tattoo, as much as I love the song, it really isn't an indicator of what the rest of the album sounds like. I'll definitely be picking this up as soon as possible.

[RLP4ever]

^ Oh, thanks a ton, Sucker, for that clear-cut thumbs-up to ADKT.

'IF' I like Fair Warning, you say? You gotta be kidding me, bud. Who doesn't love that unforgettable album? Anyway, from the way you describe it, I reckon I can even go out and wager serious money on my chances of absolutely loving ADKT.

[RLP4ever]

^ Oh no, please don't.....rain on this parade no more.

[Joe Siegler]

Review: http://www.bravewords.com/news/177292

I've heard the whole thing. It's better than Tattoo for sure. Initially, I think I like the track "Stay Frosty" the best.

[devstorm]

I've heard it.. I wasn't disappointed one iota. In fact I said WOW about 4 times through the listening. I thought Id heard everything he had to offer. But Eddie has finally again fucking amazed me. Alex hasn't played this much double bass since Diver Down. Wolfie will even get accolades. And that voice ...... it's nothing special, but just works so perfect. Dave's personality & his swagger are all over it. His classic play's on words, the metaphors, and his inimitable ad libs. Its all there.

This album should be called "Sammy Held Us Back" or "Sammy's our Bitch," or "Who's Sammy's Daddy?" My fellow Sabbath brethren.. Van Halen is sleazy again! Check out "As Is," "Bullethead" ,& Honeybabysweetiedoll.. these are Non Demo era songs... FUCKEN A....I just can't believe it.. They're Heavy again!!! This is the follow up to Diver Down that I wanted!!!!!

[celt]

Okay, I am not going to play spoiler, but...

I am not even that big of a Van Halen fan, but I heard this album and it kicks some serious ass! So I can say with confidence to all the big VH fans on this board that you will not be disappointed. Sammy Hagar with all his criticism and crap he has been saying is so completely wrong on this. This buries the Chickenfoot album. Kudos to the original Van Halen. They have made a killer album!

[devstorm]

I have a couple of VH demo comps that I listened to frequently before & after seeing the 2007 show I went to (Although I did forget about Bullethead being one of those older songs), and always felt it was a gross oversight songs like Big Trouble, Down in Flames, & Peace of Mind never were recorded properly. Call it B side material if you will, I certainly like that stuff. I only wish Down in Flames would have been kept in its original form on Truth, I think its a much better interpretation then Tattoo.

I wont go as far as to say it's Fair Warning 2, or even in that realm. I see this album being similar in approach to Metallica's Death Magnetic (not the sound but more the concept Rick Rubin directed). On that album the producer instructed Metallica to involve all the bands characteristics. Sort of a re-introduction of the band, merging past & present elements. Granted it was much easier for VH to just dust off old material, then what Metallica did. So you can call them out for just reworking already existing material. But hell... they did write this material at some point. So its not like on Magnetic where they just re-interpreted elements of One, in this song, and rehashed a Harvester of Sorrow like riff in that song. I think with Truth, they're not re-inventing Van Halen, they're just re-stating what made them so great in the first place.

To say Bullethead is a mindless token fast song I think is selling it quite short. To me Id say it represents an aspect of VH that was gone during the time Hagar plagued that band. Yes they had faster tempo material w Hagar, but none with this type of attitude. It didn't rock like this. In a lot of ways those Hagar tunes sound much more forced & formatted to my ears. This sounds much more like a natural stream of energy. I think a song like You and Your Blues is pretty interesting, because it seems to me this one closest resembles the type of song that would have come from Van Hagar. But for my tastes Dave just makes it more palatable.

Since they did raid the archives so heavily this time out, I suppose it doesn't seem like they could actually write an album from the ground up these days. Evidently they attempted it back in 2000 with Dave, and for whatever reasons it didn't work out. So we'll see if they ever attempt a follow up with this incarnation. But for what its worth Im stoked for this album. And I guess thats all that matters.

[RobotOfDecay]

Got my deluxe edition through the post today. Good stuff, have played it a few times and it's a solid album. Not sure about the track ordering through, 'Tattoo' doesn't seem like it should be the opening track to me for some reason. It's full of pretty good songs though, think I like 'You and Your Blues' the best on first impressions. The DVD of acoustic songs is a nice bonus too.

[8bit Fighter]

^What kind of packaging was this? Did they go with the jewel case or went the folding LP style case...?

[Musicman11]

Make that ten to fifteen days for me. I bought it cheap for $12.99, the deluxe edition. I remembered being little disappointed hearing Tattoo, so I decided to not hear anymore tracks until I get the album.

You sir have much more control of your own will then I do. If I see anything new from a band I like is released somewhere on the internet, I hunt it down. Whether it be a leak or live version, I have to hear it

I can say from Tattoo that I am a little disappointed, but still hyped for the new album. I've listened to the previews and can say that it sounds better then Tattoo does for the most part. Hoepfully I can find some full versions of the songs soon to listen to and eventualluy buy the new album. To 8-Bit and anyone else buying the Deluxe Edition, give us your input on if it's worth the full price or if we are just better getting the regular one. I like the idea of acoustic tracks, but I don't know if it's worth the extra price and lengths to obtain.

[RobotOfDecay]

^^ 8 Bit Fighter, the deluxe edition I received is just a standard jewel case, with fold-out lyrics booklet presumably printed from DLR's handwriting.

I must say, this album is growing on me with each listen, my assessment of 'solid' has changed to a 'very good indeed'. It's really varied, has the darker 'Light Up the Sky'-style songs on it as well as the poppier ones, and has the clever unpredictable chord changes in the bridges/choruses that marks out VH's best work. The playing/singing is top notch throughout too. Everything you could hope for in a new VH album, in my opinion. Bloody great stuff.

^^ Musicman11, if you can get the deluxe edition for not too much extra cost, it probably is worth it. However, the DVD only really has 3 songs (one is just an intro) so probably isn't something that's worth paying over the odds for. I can't see that the standard edition would be a lot different packaging-wise either.

[8bit Fighter]

You sir have much more control of your own will then I do, give us your input on if it's worth the full price or if we are just better getting the regular one. I like the idea of acoustic tracks, but I don't know if it's worth the extra price and lengths to obtain.

Why thank you for those kind words. From a buyer's standpoint, I look at it mathematically. When I bought mine, it's $12.99 plus tax and shipping, which is as of now $14.99. Divide that by two and you get $7.50 cents per disc. Of course, you can have the option of buying the album alone for $9.99 plus tax. Below is the site where I bought my Deluxe edition and I figured of go big or go home, but the choice is yours.

Deep Discount.com $9.99
Deep Discount.com $12.99

[Van Sabbath]

I just went and bought the album today. I got the deluxe edition. Man, was it great! Totally worth the wait for sure! I always liked Tattoo since it came out so when I heard the good reviews I was even more excited. I was not disappointed.

[Sporkman GB]

I'm on my second listen right now, still don't have a solid opinion on it--some of the songs could use more energy and of course, Michael Anthony backing vocals. Blood and Fire's a good song, but it'd definitely rock alot more if it had more energy. But Outta Space and on rocks, even if not all the songs there are memorable, it just feels like VH at that point. Ironically, I think the first half has the better songs, but the second half is better executed. I dunno, maybe it's just me.

And EVH has still got it, even though DLR maybe doesn't.

[RLP4ever]

I got the disc, just this morning, and have heard it through once. I liked it a whole lot, all round.

I feel that both Eddie and Dave, arguably equally, helped make all the songs sound as swell as they do, to me. Anybody who had doubted or dismissed Ed's ability to play incendiary guitar riffs any more, has gotta eat his heart out, after what's on display on Truth. And Dave, despite not hitting all the heights and glory of old, that some of his biggest fans among us would expect, still sounds remarkably rejuvenated and rocking rude, with his 24-carat charisma and infectiously cool singing intact. I also think that Alex's superb drumming performance definitely lent the songs an added up-tempo vibe and intensity. I really dug the drums. Wolfie's excellent playing on bass, too, will finally I'd hope, convert many of his recent critics into grudging fans, today. I'll post more thoughts on Truth later, after I listen to it a few more times in the days ahead. Life's beautiful!

[Sporkman GB]

I got the disc, just this morning, and have heard it through once. I liked it a whole lot, all round.

I feel that both Eddie and Dave, arguably equally, helped make all the songs sound as swell as they do, to me. Anybody who had doubted or dismissed Ed's ability to play incendiary guitar riffs any more, has gotta eat his heart out, after what's on display on Truth. And Dave, despite not hitting all the heights and glory of old, that some of his biggest fans among us would expect, still sounds remarkably rejuvenated and rocking rude, with his 24-carat charisma and infectiously cool singing intact. I also think that Alex's superb drumming performance definitely lent the songs an added up-tempo vibe and intensity. I really dug the drums. Wolfie's excellent playing on bass, too, will finally I'd hope, convert many of his recent critics into grudging fans, today. I'll post more thoughts on Truth later, after I listen to it a few more times in the days ahead. Life's beautiful!

Definitely the thing missing blatantly from this album is Mikey's backing vocals. Obviously, Wolfgang's realized he was crap at bass and practiced some, so that's good to here, but they can't retain their classic sound (which is what this album sounds like they're trying to do) with such a huge ingredient missing--so I'm still mad about Anthony.

Still, I'm not gonna lie. This album's enjoyable (though usually when a brand new album comes out, my like of it is exaggerated) and I'm glad they got around to making it.

[8bit Fighter]

Make that ten to fifteen days for me. I bought it cheap for $12.99, the deluxe edition. I remembered being little disappointed hearing Tattoo, so I decided to not hear anymore tracks until I get the album.

I'm one day late to the party, but I got it in my hands and going to rip it as I type. Going to rip the DVD audio out first so I can have the acoustic tracks for later listening. I'm so excited, I will write more when I'm done.

[devstorm]

Bought my copy last night, though Ive had the songs since last week. Can't say Ive listened to the same album this many times repeatedly since The Devil You Know was released. Im thoroughly enjoying this album. My only criticism is the bonus DVD is too short. I'd love to see a whole making of documentary.

[RLP4ever]

Definitely the thing missing blatantly from this album is Mikey's backing vocals. Obviously, Wolfgang's realized he was crap at bass and practiced some, so that's good to here, but they can't retain their classic sound (which is what this album sounds like they're trying to do) with such a huge ingredient missing--so I'm still mad about Anthony.

Still, I'm not gonna lie. This album's enjoyable (though usually when a brand new album comes out, my like of it is exaggerated) and I'm glad they got around to making it.

I honestly don't miss Mike's backing vocals too much at all on Truth. Sure, they might have been cool to hear on this comeback album of a reunited band, but I was perfectly content to hear these new songs without those classic backing vocals and choruses. And the album's turned out terrific, with the four guys in it, with the way they did it. Also, I never thought Wolfie was "crap", no way. He sounded somewhat average when I first heard him, but got a lot better very fast. And he's plenty good on Truth. Most of Wolfie's critics, coincidentally perhaps, appear to be big fans of MA, and constantly clamouring for his return to the band. I've always felt that Van Halen, with DLR in it, is inevitably 'classic' in different ways---and to my ears, the performance of the entire band on ADKT was worth the wait for this superb record.

[deranged]

I'm a big VH fan (I like all eras of the band) and and I was pretty much blown away by this CD. It still irritates me that they were inactive for all those years.

[Joe Siegler]

^What kind of packaging was this? Did they go with the jewel case or went the folding LP style case...?

Don't know about the Deluxe, as I got standard. But it's good ol jewel case. Fortunately. Everyone these days seems to want to do those cardboard things which get beat up way too fast.

Wrote about it on Amazon (hey, I'm not proud, go over there and vote up my review if you have an acct there): http://www.amazon.com/review/R1Z49PZ...cm_cr_rdp_perm

The first new full studio album of any kind since 1998, and the first one with David Lee Roth since 1983. It's been a bloody long time. It does surprisingly well, all things considered. First off, David Lee Roth is back, which brings with it an attitude that Van Halen never had with Gary Cherone or Sammy Hagar. I liked the albums produced with both of those guys (some of the Hagar material is really epic). However, the swagger, the attitude, and the "fun" that made up the original Van Halen was lost when Roth departed in the mid 80's. That's finally back.

However, an equally larger part of the pie is gone - Michael Anthony. While he was probably never the best bassist out there, a much larger part of his contributions were his harmonizing vocals. They made all the difference. They're gone. For a decent percentage, Dave harmonizes with himself. Which isn't bad, but man - if Anthony was here, this would have rocked the house. Oh, and I'm not saying Anthony is a bad bassist - he's quite good. But he never ranks up there with the greatest ever.

As for this album.. The single "Tattoo" was first out of the gate, and man, it's awful. That they chose the worst song on the album to be the lead single, and the return of the Roth era VH is QUITE puzzling. It's not like it's a truly BAD song, but if you took Tattoo and put it in the middle of the 1984 album, it'd be a "skip" track. I was quite fearful for the rest of the album.

Didn't have to be. The thing kicks ass. The backup vocals aside, the music in here is quite good. Sounds an awful lot like Van Halen. They went back to the beginning for inspiration - rumors are that half of the songs are based off of material from the pre first album era. One is clearly a leftover (She's the Woman) from their 1976 demo track. But it's not just that kind of feel. There's numerous tracks that are worthy of singling out, so to save thise review from just listing track names and saying "That's aweome".. My favorites early on are She's the Woman, China Town, As Is, Outta Space, & Stay Frosty. But that's not to say the others aren't great.

There's a great guitar sound after Roth's chrouses in Outta Space that has an odd sound that reminds me of the drill guitar sound from "Poundcake". Stay Frosty reminds me (and everyone else from reviews) of Ice Cream Man. I've seen people rag on them for that. I rather like that, as Ice Cream Man is one of my all time favorite VH songs.

But yeah - VERY VERY solid album. I'm giving it four out of five stars - I'd give it five, but Michael Anthony isn't here. It would have been out of the park with him on here.

NOTE: I opted for the standard CD vs the Deluxe Edition, as the Deluxe was just four songs played unplugged on a DVD. I don't care for unplugged anyway, plus it was $5 more for the Deluxe vs just $10 for the regular.

[RobotOfDecay]

I have listened to this album at least 15 times now, and I still think it is great.

[8bit Fighter]

Don't know about the Deluxe, as I got standard. But it's good ol jewel case. Fortunately. Everyone these days seems to want to do those cardboard things which get beat up way too fast.

I got the Deluxe, it's Jewel Case as RobotOfDecay has said. I kind of like the cardboard LP style myself, but I do agree they get a lot of beating easily. But hey, original LP cases usually do get nicks and cuts as well.

Amazon Review

You said it all on how I pretty much feel. To me, this is pretty much the comeback album of the year so far. Wishful thinking, but maybe someday Dave and the boys can get together with Chickenfoot and do a tour together, that would be cool.

UPDATE: You And Your Blues should of been the single for the album. Stronger than Tattoo for sure.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Just for info, the new VH album entered the UK album chart at No. 6 this week.

[Musicman11]

Alright I'm late to the party seeing that I just got the album today. But I can say that I have loved every minute since I have got the album. I can say it's a very good album, brilliant if you don't mind me saying. It's better then a lot of other albums that have been released recently. I can say the majority of worries that I had regarding the album pretty much vanished. Once again is the only problem is the absence of Anthony, which isn't as noticeable on several of the other tracks as in comparison to Tattoo which I'm with Joe and some others seeing it as one of the worst tracks on the album. They do a great job incorporating a newer style into the classic way they played. Because the guitars took a bit of a deeper tone I think it compensated for the lack of some of the backing vocals. You and Your Blues, Chinatown, She's The Woman, etc are all really great tracks. I'm very happy with the purchase of the new album, especially enjoying that I got the deluxe edition. The Downtown Sessions are great, just wish that they had included more such as You Really Got Me on it since it is kind of short from beginning to end. Overall it's a really nice album, Eddie is playing great once again, Alex as always gives a fine performance, Wolfgang does a good job on bass and alright on bringing his own vocals to the band, and finally David, albeit tired still has enough of his voice to sound good on the album. I've got to say that with this Black Sabbath is got a hell of job to do if they want to top the comeback effort of Van Halen, the bar has been set. Great way to kick off 2012.

Oh and RLP you'll be happy to know that you finally got me. David has continued to grow on me over time, more and more, and especially with this new album. So much so that I can say I finally see him as the definitive singer of Van Halen. It took a while, but I finally came around to his style. Now I still love Hagar in the band, and for that matter Cherone, but I can finally agree that Roth Van Halen is worthy of a lot of praise over the other two. It helps I've put some of the bias I used to have aside to enjoy everything on it's own!

[RLP4ever]

^ Hey Musicman, you bet I'm thrilled to know that you've come around to digging DLR-VH so damn much. And, you already know by now just how much I'm loving 'ADKT', too. The long wait was very worth it, cos the album is as cool as it could possibly be, at this stage of the band's career, and comeback. I'm coming to catch the awesome shows, in less than a week.

*And oh, very telling remark you made about Sabbath's own rather similar comeback w/Ozzy and anticipated new album having to be pretty darn special to top something like ADKT. We'll see.

[Musicman11]

@RLP: I knew you would love to hear how much I was enjoying DLR Van Halen. I don't know what happened, but one day I was just listening to Fair Warning and something just fucking clicked that hadn't before and I couldn't stop listening to Van Halen. I have you to think for that. Now if I could just get you to enjoy the Hagar years a little more
On the shows note. I absolutely fucking hate I had to miss out on the Louisville show, especially after seeing the setlist, but there was just no way I could physically get to the show and back seeing as like I've said before, I'm only 15. It just sucks though, but I say enjoy every minute of the shows you can, the videos I saw online looked really damn good too!
As for going out on a limb to say Sabbath has something to prove. I'm dead serious, VH put out a fucking great album for a band that has had a similarly troubled history like Sabbath and I think actually has a similar situation to Sabbath. 3 original members, and a lot of people pissed off about missing one for a younger, albeit more energetic player. The band put out an awesome album sans Mike, whom I still miss, but I've managed to get over thinks to how everything has turned out. If anything Van Halen fans has it worse on the missing member situation. Mike was the devoted guy in the band for over 20 years and put up with a lot of shit including awful contracts, so that's saying something. It's not that they didn't pay him enough, it's just they didn't want him anymore, and I think the Sabbath situation isn't quite that bad in comparison. (Referring to Ward, not Iommi's condition.). Then again Van Halen is a little younger and healthier, and Roth still has a good voice to take out when he needs to, so some of Sabbath short-comings can be and probably will be overlooked. (Or at least I will as I will always love Sabbath.)

[Thelemech]

I just bought it today. It is all that I have been listening too all day...it is definitely the comeback album of the decade; perhaps longer. It is really solid and a fitting 7th album with Dave. Only wish I could afford to see them live when they come to Vancouver. Van Halen is back!

[devstorm]

I've changed my opinion on the album. I said it was a disappointment.

I will say now that it is downright PISS-POOR. I cannot emphasize this strongly enough. It's a mockery of the music on Fair Warning AND it is EVEN an insult to the songs on Van Halen 3. When people feast on pizza long enough they can't remember the taste of real food anymore.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The new Van Halen is the reason gas prices have skyrocketed. And as it grows and feasts on the rotted minds of rock fans the world over it will become a bigger threat. Soon armies of the worlds largest super-powers will fall because the soldiers are memorizing the lyrics to Bullethead. Then expectant mothers will consider themselves Momshell's which will have an adverse effect of their fetus. Scores of children will be born with webbed feet, and that crawl and never walk. This will lead to the next generation fornicating with Jellyfish, and over-indulging in mass quantities of Yoo-hoo. Economies will topple, intelligence will diminish. And Hip hop will thrive of course.

A Different Kind Of Truth has doomed us all to unfathomable suffering. R.P.I. is the first to recognize it. I now regret praising the album. I hope you're all proud of your role in the Earh's inevitable oblivion.

Shaaaaaaaaammmmme.... Shhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmeeeeee on all of you!!!!

[IommiRules]

That was horrendously unfunny. As well as a huge overreaction.

It's called humor, and Dev's post is damned funny. That is great writing. My only wish is that Joe would remove the 5 line limit from our Signatures because I would post Dev's entire post as my Sig. I haven't even heard it, I just appreciate intelligence and a great sense of humor.

[RLP4ever]

I didn't see it as a writing contest, at all. I'm sure neither did devstorm, in his funny satire of your dramatic denunciations of Truth.

But RPI, I seriously think that for a guy who doesn't like the new VH album at all, you sure have given us all an awful overkill of your slams against 'ADKT'. I mean, I haven't counted, but you seem to have dropped by several times on this VH thread, constantly carping about the band and the new album. And oh, your latest diatribe about the new songs being a "mockery of Fair Warning' and "an insult to the songs on VH3" looks like pure attention-seeking theatre to me. I hope you've vented enough by throwing your firebombs on this thread discussion.

When people feast on pizza long enough they can't remember the taste of real food anymore.

I can agree.....after the decade spent gorging on Van Hagar, and an even longer time starving, I guess it can be hard for some people to recognise and relish "real food" (your words) anymore, or the real deal Van Halen w/DLR, in 2012. Question is, are you one of those sorry 'fans'?

Meantime, I'm all ready to rock out to VH, at the terrific Madison Square Garden, tomorrow (and Thursday).

[RLP4ever]

Look, you sure don't need to educate me about the 'importance' of "negative criticisms". I can tolerate a lot of that, depending on the nature of the negative comments. And hey, spare me this baloney about you having to be some "say nice things about so & so" type. I couldn't care any less whether you do that sort of thing or not.

Point is, of course it's been an outright overkill of you banging on and on, pretty regularly, on this thread, about how lame and a let-down album 'ADKT' is. We've heard your say on the issue, loud and clear, and frankly, it's gotten extremely tedious to see you, every other day, rehash your negativity about this band and album, today. As for your over-the-top (to put it mildly), unfavourable comparisons of the tunes on ADKT with those of FW, or VH3, they are your opinions, you own them, but don't turn around and glibly declare that my disagreements with them are somehow "misguided". I'm sure ADKT has had several lukewarm to thumbs-down reviews (like yours). I'm also sure that many of us fans of the same album aren't too bothered, or swayed by that. We're simply stating our take on it. Have I rubbished your opinions here? You talk of Amazon and YouTube comments about ADKT----gosh, I couldn't care a flying fuck, obviously, or else I wouldn't have traveled across half the globe to be here in New York, and stoked to see the band let rip at MSG, tomorrow. Buddy, do you have any idea of the abuse and ridicule VH3 has gotten, since '98 (on Amazon and sundry other forums and sites) ?

Please don't listen to the album, don't go anywhere near the shows, and don't bore me to tears with your negative gems of wisdom about Truth. You've been there, done that, a whole lot, already.

[RLP4ever]

duplicate post deleted!

[devstorm]

That was horrendously unfunny. As well as a huge overreaction.

Yeah in hindsight I think the comment about Yoo-hoo was crossing a serious line here. I take that part back. But you insulted a lot of Pizza fans as well so..... think about that.

I've seen, read, written far better.

Prove it.

Make us laugh.. show your superiority.. thus far you're rather Troll-ish in my opinion.

So I resort to toying with you, by using my unrelenting mockery..

[RLP4ever]

If you know it's alright to have negative criticisms perhaps you shouldn't have told me that mine is unwanted. If I've posted too much in that case you are also free to stop gushing about how incredible the album is. It goes both ways. Unless I missed the part where it said 'Positive comments about all future Van Halen comments by RLP and Co'. Stop being full of yourself. Or not.

All I said was that it's rather ridiculous for somebody like you, who dislikes and disparages the new album, to be regularly dropping by on this VH thread, variously trashing ADKT, every other day. It's plainly puerile and pointless. I don't know of many people, on any forum, much less this one, where somebody chooses to compulsively comment, and increasingly negatively and provocatively, on a specific 'Band' thread, where the implicit convention is for a discussion among posters who are mainly appreciative of said band a& related issues. As devstorm suggested earlier, you now absolutely come across as a troll----and your antics on this thread are to blame for that. As for my own very opposite opinions about the new album, and what you dub as my "gushing about how incredible the album is"...well, I'd argue that is actually quite legit, given that the discussion here is naturally among people who, to varying extents, actually enjoy the new album. It's just childish and churlish to constantly bitch about the album, ad nauseam. I'm surprised you just don't 'get' that, yet.

If you're stoked about seeing Halen tommorow then good for you. But it doesn't somehow make you a better fan or 'more right' especially if you're going to knock the other eras.

That's your bruised ego and/or inferiority complex talking. I don't see how anything I had said to you, so far, can be construed to mean that I was, in any way, claiming that I'm a 'better' or 'more right' fan of Van Halen. And hey, I can knock the Sammy Hagar-era (that was the only other 'era', btw) all I want, but I don't exactly barge into the VH thread everyday, constantly bitchin' about what a fucking cheesehead Sammy and his songs with VH were. You do sound like I had perhaps pissed you with some of my prior put-downs of Sammy and Van Hagar. Anyway, right now, with the new awesome album making a splash, and the tour rolling out, I've got tons better things to do than debate 'other era-VH' with anybody. Enjoy VH3, maybe that makes you a wiser fan I'll give Dave your grudging greetings, today.

[devstorm]

Right there in your statements appears a good case of projection. I'm not into playing internet games, so if you want to act like a child, be my guest.

On the contrary, Trolling is one of the oldest internet games; and is quite childish. Its also a ploy for attention. I see through you Mr Paul.

RLP, Lets change the Subject. Please give us your review of the concert.. Hope they dug out some more classics like Hear About It Later, & Outta Love Again..

[RLP4ever]

RLP, Lets change the Subject. Please give us your review of the concert.. Hope they dug out some more classics like Hear About It Later, & Outta Love Again..

Oh dev, I swear I can only rave about Tuesday night, and the largely awesome show I got to see. I landed up at the MSG an hour early, (VH stormed in at just after 9 p.m). Yes, I suffered through Kool & The Gang, prior to that But no, K&G weren't totally awful or anything. 'Fresh' and some of their pop tunes were alright. I had already arranged to meet up with two of my very close American pals (from the DLR forums), and another fellow Aussie who lives in New York. I had the VIP seats, which while definitely very good, weren't what they were cracked up to be by the promoters.

Anyway, I could ramble and rave like a rabbit here But bottom line is, it was a fantastic show, all round, and a perfect start to my trip to the States, for the several weeks ahead I'd be following VH around the country.

Alright, the band began with a blasting rendition of You Really Got Me, and ended the show with a truly stirring take on Jump, with Eddie's spine-tingling tapping still sounding as cool (even cooler) as it did back in '84. There were a few annoying glitches, though, with the sound system, briefly marring the sound in a few of the songs, throughout the concert. That was disappointing & unexpected, and something I reckon wouldn't happen again, on the second show, later tonight. And, true to form, Dave did it again -- i.e. he flubbed the lines during the middle of China Town, he couldn't remember the lyrics in time, and the backing chorus had to come to the rescue. It was embarrassing in the truly endearing way that Dave can be, when he does this kind of thing. There was also a slight screw-up in Dance the Night Away, with Dave's vocal harmonies seemingly out of synch with the song. Other than that, Dave sounded superb for almost the whole night, with the screams, mid-range growls, the talkin', his whole singing enchilada, really. There were plenty of shuffling moves across stage, dancing, waving the checkered flag, even a few high kicks (not too many ) but no over-athleticism or leaps or scissor kick stunts or stuff like that of old. I was relieved, cos I didn't want Dave to carelessly injure himself. But excepting occasional moments where he sounded clearly tired, and his voice frayed a bit, he was every bit the stellar showman/frontman and singer of old. He was terrific, for example, in Hot for Teacher..

Alex, as always, was a force of nature on drums, all night long---even doing two very solid drum solos, in the set-list. Wolfie was ace on bass, and wonderful with his backing vocals. I'd go so far as to say that Wolfie sounds like a better bassist than Mike Anthony, and not far behind Mike's backing singing, either. Truth is, all of Wolfie's detractors can eat their hearts out--the boy definitely belongs in the band, on merit. And dev, I swear I thought Eddie sounded nothing short of sensational that night, and was clearly the alpha performer of the band, right through the night. Like I remarked earlier in the thread, Eddie looks genuinely happier and healthier than he's been in a long time. He was jumping, joking, smiling, and having a swell time, during the entire show. And god, his playing was pure phenomenal, no kidding. His blistering shreds, astonishing rhythm and lead playing, the scorching soloing, the ingenious improvisations, the sheer heaviness and menace in a lot of the songs, and even the contrasting lighter, slower, softer parts, Eddie reveled in his playing and reminded everybody why some of us continue to idolise him as an awesome guitar hero of all time. I gotta say, I felt that Ed's playing alone, was worth any fan to do whatever it took to get to the MSG that night.

Oh, you asked about Hear About It Later, and Outta Love Again...dev, I'll give you the set-list that night, but not in actual order, and I may have missed out mentioning 1-2 songs. Btw, they played only 4 songs off ADKT. And although I heard a few fans sort of complain about not having more off Truth, I'm sure a majority of the fans were mainly there for the old classics---which is what we predictably got. I drank a fair bit, and I noticed many foreign fans (many from Asia, for instance), at the MSG. Many of them were apparently taking advantage of the announcement a few days ago, that VH was authorising the video taping of the whole show by any fan who wished to do so. I'm gonna be at the MSG again, tonight. I don't know if I'll be posting here too often, while I'm traveling and rocking out on the tons of other dates and locations of this terrific tour, in the weeks ahead. But I'll write when I can.

The set (on Tue.) went:

You Really Got Me
Runnin' With the Devil
She's The Woman
Romeo Delight
Somebody Get Me A Doctor
Hear About It Later
China Town
Oh, Pretty Woman
Tattoo
Everybody Wants Some!!
Unchained
The Trouble with Never
Drum Solo
I'll Wait
Hot For Teacher
Dance The Night Away
Beautiful Girls
Women In Love
Girl Gone Bad
Ice Cream Man
Guitar Solo
Panama
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Jump