Tag: Tattoo
11 Van Halen – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)
It is finally here! The album you have been waiting for since 1984…….. A Different Kind of Truth. It seems like I have been waiting for ages to hear David Lee Roth sing with Van Halen again. I enjoyed the tunes from the brief, but short-lived reunion in 1996, “Can’t Get This Stuff No More”, and “Me Wise Magic” . A Different Kind of Truth is exactly what I have been waiting for…… An album that sounds like classic Van Halen. While I enjoyed the Sammy Hagar years in Van Halen, I have always longed for Van Halen’s return to their classic sound. That is exactly what A Different Kind of Truth sounds like. Classic Van Halen! This album has a massive production, and will please most audiophiles out there.
I am sure there are many of you that would love to have an album that is on a par with Van Halen I. This album isn’t it. If you want a heavy Van Halen album, with tons of guitars and that fun party rock that Van Halen is known for, A Different Kind of Truth will put a big smile on your face.
I read where many folks were slamming the song “Tattoo”, and while I can understand other people’s opinions, I like the song. It kind of reminds me of David Lee Roth’s song “Sensible Shoes” from his 1991 album, A Little Ain’t Enough. It is a catchy song, but it is one of the lesser songs on this CD.
I have to admit that I like the original demo version of “She’s The Woman” better than this latest version. I miss Michael Anthony’s background vocals. This version is good, and if you haven’t the original unreleased version of this song, you will probably love it.
Alex Van Halen makes his presence felt on the song “China Town”. I have always though of Alex as an incredible drummer. He continues to show just how awesome he is by pulverizing his drum kit, with a super fast tempo, and pounding rhythms. This isn’t a song that would be used as a radio single, but it is one of those deep Van Halen tracks that long time fans of the band will appreciate.
“Blood and Fire” screams radio hit. This song isn’t super heavy, and this song could have easily worked in the Hagar years, but David Lee Roth owns this one.
“HoneybabySweetiedoll” has a strange intro, but this is the kind of aggressive VH tune I have been waiting to hear for years! I love this! “The Trouble With Never” is a catchy, heavy rocker that Van Halen should release as their second single. Those fans on the fence after hearing “Tattoo” will certainly jump on the Van Halen train, after hearing “The Trouble With Never”.
“Stay Frosty” has that same type of acoustic guitar style as the Van Halen classic “Ice Cream Man”, but nowhere near as good as that song (which is one of my Van Halen favorites). The song gets a little heavier towards the middle, but even with Eddie Van Halen’s awesome riffs, this song is still one the weaker tracks.
A Different Kind of Truth closes out in strong fashion with two heavy rockers back to back with “Big River” and “Beats Workin”. It often sounds like to be me that David Lee Roth is singing “Big Trouble” in “Big River”, but it is a cool song nonetheless. Eddie tears it up on “Beats Workin'” and rest assured, but the time this song ends, I am hitting repeat to listen to this CD again.
Thanks to the Van Halen clan and David Lee Roth for releasing the Van Halen album, I have been longing for. A Different Kind of Truth is a tremendous comeback album that I can’t stop listening to. All Van Halen fans should pick up immediately. Highly Recommended!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
01. Tattoo
02. She’s The Woman
03. You and Your Blues
04. China Town
05. Blood and Fire
06. Bullethead
07. As Is
08. Honeybabysweetiedoll
09. The Trouble With Never
10. Outta Space
11. Stay Frosty
12. Big River
13. Beats Workin’
Van Halen is:
Eddie Van Halen – Guitars
Alex Van Halen – Drums
Wolfgang Van Halen – Bass
David Lee Roth – Vocals
1 New Video – Van Halen – Tattoo
The wait is over! The first new Van Halen song with David Lee Roth in 16 years, “Tattoo” is now available for purchase at iTunes at this link! You can check out Van Halen’s new video for “Tattoo” below!!
0 Preview of New Van Halen Song “Tattoo” Now Online!
Amazon UK put up a 30 second clip of Van Halen’s soon to be released song “Tattoo”. Check it out!
4 The Van Halen Hysteria is Heating Up!
Van Halen announced the Pre-Sales of their new single, “Tattoo” which will be released on 1/10/2010. You can pre-order the song here!
Want to read about Van Halen’s club show last night? Please visit Bryan Reesman’s excellent ADD Blog here!
Here are some other songs with the “Tattoo” subject matter…..
Motley Crue – New Tattoo
Trouble Trible – Tattoo
Faster Pussycat – Tattoo
Vince neil – Tatttos & Tequila
Warrant – Bad Tattoo
5 Scorpions – Comeblack (2012)
The Scorpions have returned with Comeblack, their last studio album before the band retires. Comeblack is one half re-recorded originals, and one half cover tunes.
How does it stack up? Comeblack shows you just how good the Scorpions original songs are. The versions on Comeblack are not quite as aggressive as the originals. Klaus doesn’t push his voice as much as he did on the original tunes. I have found that the songs are slightly different. The tempo may be a little different on some of the songs. I have heard the original versions of these tunes hundreds of times, so some of the nuances stand out to me quite a bit. To the average fan, they may not notice much of a difference, if any. The cool thing is…all of the songs still work. I prefer the original versions of the songs, but the versions on Comeblack are still very good.
I have never been a big fan of cover song CD’s, but I have to admit the cover songs on this CD, are really good. My favorites of six covers are “Tainted Love”, “All Day and All of the Night” and “Ruby Tuesday”. All of the cover songs are very good. I am convinced that Klaus Meine could sing anything, and make it sound good. To my ears, “Tainted Love” and “All Day and All of the Night” are easily as good, if not better than the originals versions.
Is Comeblack worth picking up? If you are a fan of the Scorpions, you should definitely get this. It is the last studio album the band will ever do. The cover songs are pretty good, and are definitely worth adding to your collection.
My only wish is that someone could talk the Scorpions out of their retirement talk. Comeblack shows me that the band still has plenty of fuel in the tank.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
01. Rhythm of Love
02. No One Like You
03. The Zoo
04. Rock You Like A Hurricane
05. Blackout
06. Wind of Change
07. Still Loving You
08. Tainted Love
09. Children of The Revolution
10. Across the Universe
11. Tin Soldier
12. All Day and All of the Night
13. Ruby Tuesday
Scorpions are:
Klaus Meine – Vocals
Rudolf Schenker – Guitars
Matthias Jabs – Guitars
Pawel Maciwoda – Bass
James Kottak – Drums
1 Stereoside – So Long (Release Year – 2007)
In 2007, the four hard rocking guys that make up the band, Stereoside, signed with Bieler Brothers records.
Singer Jeff Shields is the former Tallahassee Idol winner. He has rejected many major label offers to sing country music, and joined Stereoside in 2006.
What does Stereoside sound like? Their modern rock sound mimics that of a couple of the better selling acts of late, Hinder, Daughtry and maybe a dash of Alter Bridge.
The CD, So Long is full of radio ready rockers, many of which could easily be hits, especially if Clear Channel allows their stations to play this record.
When singer Jeff Shields voice isn’t over powered by the music, his vocals shine. At times his voice reminds me of another singer that I am fond of, Johnny Gioeli from Axel Rudi Pell.
So Long is armed with a bunch of good songs, including, Sinner, Tattoo, Wasted and My Life. Sinner could be a massive hit for Stereoside. The tune Tattoo is very catchy and requires multiple plays. Wasted has a crazy amount of radio potential. There really isn’t a bad song in the lot.
Hopefully, Stereoside isn’t a band that gets lost in the mix. Their sound may not be original enough to get them the recognition they deserve. Jeff Shields is a big talent, and this disc needs to be heard by all.
Check out Stereoside at their myspace page, and go get a copy of this disc from Bieler Brothers for the great price of $6.99 today!
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Too High
2. So Long
3. Sinner
4. Tattoo
5. Wasted
6. Ain’t So Bad
7. Always Remember
8. My Life
9. On And On
10. It’s Not My Day
11. Little Pill
12. On Our Way
Stereoside:
Jeff Sheilds – Vocals
Ben Foster – Guitar, and vocals
Chris York – Drums
David Oliver – Bass
