Vie’s Verses – Van Halen Is Coming … Apparently You Care
Note: This edition of Vie’s Verses was written before the release of A Different Kind Of Truth
Originally I was going to title this edition of Vie’s Verses “Van Halen Is Coming…Do You Care?” I was planning to refer to the high ticket prices, the new single that fans seem to dislike (or, in some cases, hate), and the fact that Michael Anthony is still not in the band leaving the brothers Van Halen to call all the shots. I was going to go on a tirade about how this tour would flop, how David Lee Roth and the Van Halens would clash, and how this would be the last time that we saw any incarnation of Van Halen.
Then I did some research on the concerts. I was really surprised to find out that most of the concerts have sold out, including the Madison Square Garden dates where tickets were $160 each. I guess the economy is doing better than the media portrays. Either that, or fans are willing to pony up the big bucks to see the legendary Van Halen. Which led to the changing of the title for this post—apparently you do care. It appears that Van Halen is in high demand and a new tour with a new album and new songs to perform has everyone excited.
And I guess when I get past my bitterness over ticket prices and the fact that Michael Anthony got screwed by his longtime band mates, it makes sense. Van Halen isn’t getting any younger, and this could be their last hoorah. Yes, there are several bands that play well into their 60s recording new music that is grand, but look how many years it took Van Halen to come up with new music. And reports are that a lot of the “new” music is just rehashed outtakes from the 70s.
So, yes, this could be the end. This could be the last chance to see Van Halen live with David Lee Roth. And while adding Mr. Anthony back into the mix would be a reward to the fans, that isn’t going to happen. First, Van Halen doesn’t seem to care about their fans, and second, I don’t think Michael Anthony would come back even if he was asked to. There is just too much bad blood.
I happen to be a fan of the new single, “Tattoo,” and while, lyrically, it’s not very advanced, it is Van Halen with David Lee Roth. I don’t find it as great as “Me Wise Magic,” or “Can’t Get This Stuff No More” (from the 1997 Greatest Hits album), but it does offer hope for the new record, which I think is going to be solid. Sure, it may not be their best record ever, it may not even be in the same league as their early material, but I’m sure it will be good. Most of what David Lee Roth does is enjoyable. Almost everything that Eddie Van Halen does is enjoyable (yes, I was a fan of VH3), so I have hope. As for the concerts, well, I’m on the fence. They’ve survived one tour, but can they do it again, especially with new songs to remember? I guess only time will tell, but one thing’s for certain, Van Halen is back and the fans do care.
Post Script: I have now had a chance to listen to the new Van Halen disc, and I must say that it is amazing. I still think that “Me Wise Magic” and “Can’t Get This Stuff No More” are better than most of the songs on A Different Kind Of Truth, but that doesn’t mean this album is bad. It is an exceptional record and one of the best Van Halen recordings to come out in decades. This could be their best record since Women And Children First. Add me to the list of fans that care.
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I just got home from the Chicago show @ The United Center. “WOW”. That’s a pretty lame way to sum up the event, but THE CONCERT ROCKED! The DLR fronted VH had the joint bouncing off the walls. I, too, was skeptical – very skeptical of the whole affair. About “A Different Kind Of Truth”… I was disappointed when I first heard “Tattoo”, and I figured it would be downhill from there. When I bought the cd home and popped it in, I was blown away. Aggressive, catchy, and totally unexpected! I’m a HUGE fan of their “Fair Warning” album, so I can state with confidence that this is their best release since 1981. As far as the concert is concerned, I’ve seen every VH tour from “Fair Warning” forward, and the excitement that the band generates this time around is incredible. Not a bad setlist, us fans can debate what songs they should be playing on this tour forever, but “Atomic Punk” or “On Fire” from VH1 would have been more welcome than “Girl Gone Bad”, for instance. Bottom Line: Do you consider yourself a Van Halen fan? If so, buy the new album and see the show. Forget the VH drama and ignore the haters. You won’t be disappointed.
“A Different Kind Of Truth” is a fun album to listen to. Simply put, it Rocks. I am in the crowd that could care in the least, as to when any “parts” of the songs were written. As long as the music was written by Van Halen and not ABBA, I’m a happy dude.
I tend to agree, not sure where all the hate for Tattoo comes from. I admit, when first hearing it I was thinking, “Oh shit – I hope the whole album isn’t this poppy and polished!”. I gave it a chance, and got over that. Quickly.
I challenge anyone to show me an album like this lately with this much originality, excitement, and ‘chops’ on it. It’s a very, very bold statement, and proof that VH is a force to be reckoned with.
Good for DLR, good for EVH. I’m still odd about the fat kid playing bass, and wish they would’ve at least got someone who ‘fit’t the look a little bit more. I think the only excited about Wolfie is Wolfie and EVH. But that’s just opinion (and my hunch is, EVH played bass on the record).
There’s a couple of dandies on there, and this is what the new Ratt should’ve been. Best Of Me (Ratt) is *perfect* at capturing their sound, but the rest of the disc falls flat. VH have managed to put out something that accurately captures their old sound, and elements of the new.
I give it a thumbs up!
I hate, hate, hate Tattoo. But I bought the album anyway, and the rest of it just freaking rocks. I thought about buying tickets for the concert, but Kool & the Gang opening? Really? It seems like they forgot their responsibility to pay it back to the rock community a bit by bringing an up and coming act out on tour.
Oh well, I really don’t like the Verizon Center in DC for concerts anyway. I’ll save my cash for a club show.
Ticket prices are too high for most big show’s today. What a shame ticket master ruined the concert experience.I like the smaller venues anyway you seem to get your’e price worth.I got to see VH blow off Black Sabbath on there Never Say Die tour. Then to see VH on there secound album tour front row in a small venue 2700 cap. One of the best show’s I have ever seen to this day.
While I won’t be shelling out the bucks to see them live, I think the record is friggin’ tasty! It really slams out of the speakers nicely.
Well yes indeed we do care. It was kind of funny to read this seeing as it was written before the CD came out. Besides M3, there’s nothing else this year that I’m looking forward to music-wise more than VH’s CD and Tour. And I love the CD! Wonderful stuff, no question and the reviews are positive. Doesn’t sound like a buncha 60 year olds to me, for sure. Kinda laffed at the comment about VH maybe not remembering how to play the songs. C’mon. Don’t think it’ll be their last tour or cd either.
With all of the money they are going to make off of the tour alone, you would have to think that they would be a little more active after this.