Tattoo

So, just the 28 years since "1984", and - aside from the two tracks on Best of, Vol. 1 - a new song combining the might of Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth and Wolfgang Van Halen (son of Ed and Valerie Bertinelli, replacing much-loved cannonmouth Michael Anthony on bass) finally emerges. This song was called "Down In Flames" and was a part of the mid-70s demos, but has been seriously reworked, both musically and lyrically, to produce what is undoubtedly a Classic Van Halen tune, but with a modern punch to it.
Dave sounds great to me! Seems to have got his voice back, as the recent Cafe Wha? gig testifies, and of course he hasn`t lost his touch with his lyrics - "...mousewife to momshell, in the time it takes to get a new tattoo" or "why is the crazy stuff we never say, poetry in ink?". Eddie delivers, as always, a great rhythm track and instantly recogniseable solo (along with a great divebomb after the solo), and as much as Michael Anthony brought to the live show, I think Wolfie can handle backing vocals and bass duties with class - he`s a Van Halen after all, so might just have some talent.
Great sign of things to come - if this is the vibe, then A Different Kind Of Truth will be a worthy addition to the classic Van Halen six pack from 1978-`84.

A damn fine comeback after 28 years. Listen to it on proper speakers, not your phone or computer!

If you know Van Halen, you'll know that if you listen to 1978's debut album and the album 1984 back to back, you'll think 'whaaa?' And that was in the space of 6 years. It's obviously the same band on those two albums - the same feel and attitude - but it sounds all different (Top Jimmy, or Drop Dead Legs, or Girl Gone Bad - never mind Jump or I'll Wait - on Van Halen I?? I don't think so, buddy.) So, naturally, after 28 years, they are gonna sound a little different than expected.

Just take a listen to all of Van Halen's Roth-era albums. No two of 'em sound the same - Women and Children First and its predecessor Van Halen II, or the album that followed it, Fair Warning? Like a different band - but, at the same time, not. They all share a vibe and attitude, and it's back.

'Tattoo' is not a high tempo tune, so may disappoint some who are expected a slamming, blow-the-doors down opening salvo after so long - but it is a real grower that has a low, dirty, groove. It's not riff-driven in the way that a lot of his earlier material is, which I expect signals that on the album Eddie might be giving a lot of space to the groove side of things , to let Wolfgang flex some heavy bass muscle (as he did, in spades, at their Cafe Wha? gig in NY last week).

All in all, a fine song and a great return after so long. Much better than the two songs the band recorded in 1996 . If you are not convinced at first, give it a couple more listens.

It amazes me how VH fan whinge about what they don't get from the band...

I expect Dave Lee Roth, big drums, Eddie and a scorching solo and I have it here. It may be a re-write of the bootleg demo classic "Down in Flames" but all die hard VH fans love that track so what's not to like?

Some people are never happy....luckily I'm not some people...bring on the album...