So it's been almost 24hrs with Van Halen's newie A Different Kind Of Truth. Initial fan feedback from those that received their copies seems to match the enthusiasm of those still expecting it. The band needed to deliver and they have done just that.
My first reactions were sent out via Twitter last night. here's a rounded out summary of those thoughts. A full feature review of the album will be posted next week - as soon as I get at least 30 spins of the album done.
The best thing about this new album - besides actually hearing new material at last - is the amazing energy on display. And this is vintage Van Halen as promised.
Track by Track:
Tattoo - Weakest track on the album. Still find it an odd kind of opening track (She's The Woman has a far more authoritive intro), but we're all familiar with it now. VH at their most commercial pop. An easy track to ease the public back into the band. I still see it as a better track 2 or 3.
She's The Woman - great presence and a dirty riff to kick off. Simple chorus. Heavy groove.
Sweet instrumental bridge into the solo and a pounding rhythm section. EVH absolutely on fire!
You And Your Blues - Love the intro and the move into a big sonic blast. Dave sounds amazing. Classic VH meets darker dirty style like Humans Being or From Afar even. Monster song and fast solo, some big harmonies and generally a cool anthemic blast.
China Town - WOW! Blazing solo to kick off then triple time slamming drums and bass. Fast fast FAST and furious. Short Dave style chorus (typical throughout the album). That guitar sound is like Balance to these ears. Furious solo and drum flurry. Back to a steady vocal, old school Dave.
Blood And Fire - More old school VH here. Uptempo again. Simple chorus once again, but some nice riffing around the song. Has a 1984 feel to it. Surprise melodic bridge intro some tasty picking and a blazing heavy solo! Feels like the tempo picks up even more.
Bullethead - Fast and furious again and WTF was that guitar intro??!!! Simple fast one word chorus - classic Dave. But heavy and fast! Song includes the album's title in the lyrics. Effects in play for short solo. Fast rocking fun.
As Is - Loving this tune especially. This is HEAVY!!! And fast again with a Hot For Teacher vibe. How old are these guys again??? Great little chorus. Big BIG sound. And the close out is amazing. Guitars everywhere and dark and heavy. And some harmony box from DLR - who continues to sound incredible. What a solo! Fast furious shredding. Then into a Metallica heavy vibe. Now some HFT style spoken bridge.
Honeybabycutiedoll - Maybe the most bizarre guitar sound I've ever heard from EVH. Another uptempo track, a real groover. Dave speaks the vocals, but it works. One of those classic quirky VH tracks that each album seems to have one of.
The Trouble With Never - Another spoken word mid-track breakdown. Dave is having a blast and the groove of this album is unreal. Big commercial rocker that follows the last track perfectly. Big harmonies back again.
Outta Space - Another fast rocking groover. Yep, this beast is heavy! Another slamming display of rhythm. Dave vox really strong here.
Stay Frosty - Acoustic intro...Dave quirky lyrics and vocals and more spoken word stuff. Interesting use of DLR on this album. Then....BAM!...the song turns ULTRA heavy and features a monster groove. Mammoth close out with Alex going nuts.
Big River - More groove and lots of riffing. Dave going for a big vocal again. Fast and in your face again. Simple chorus as is the norm. Classic VH here. God the guitar sound is just HUGE!!!! Another great solo. Bit longer this time. Mixing riffs and picking.
Beats Working - Hard edged riff and matching drum beat. Fun rocker with more reminders of 1984. Defies explaining!
To summarize. The band have come together however they made it possible, but it's done and it's actually worth the wait. Another 30 plays and some flaws are going to come to light - Michael Anthony's trademark vocals an obvious point - but those flaws aren't going to be anything detrimental to the enjoyment of this album.
Every track has it's place and there's not a dull moment to be had.
The album is surprisingly heavy, very upbeat and has energy beyond description. This is not a 'chorus' album. Sammy Hagar brought that to the band, so fans of that era might be a little left out at times here. This is more a reflection of the classic vibe the band had in their early days. And why not - 7 of the album's tracks were moulded from 70s demos. But today they sound as fresh as they possibly could be. David Lee Roth's vocals have been wisely moulded into the groove of the album - its the best I've heard him since Eat Em And Smile. And the Van Halen's are simply stunning.
And to top it all off - ADKOT features a monster production job and a crystal clear mix. The guitars have real and immediate impact and the music is a finely balanced mix of old old classic familiar Van Halen along with and some fresh and recent Van Halen too.
It is everything Dave Halen fans have been waiting since 1984 for and there's plenty there too for Van Hagar fans. Full feature review to follow next week.
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