This is the first studio album released by Van Halen in 14 years with any combination of the 6 current/past members. David Lee Roth resumes his role as front-man and Wolfgang Van Halen makes his VH album debut as bassist with his dad and uncle. According to DLR, this is “A collaboration with the bands past. A number of tracks are based on demos and unused lyrics from the 70’s.” At 57 years old, Eddie’s dexterity on the fretboard hasn’t deteriorated and there are a few Billy Sheehan style bass / guitar solos from father and son. Plenty of hammer-ons and pull-offs are guaran-T-e-e-E-e-e-E-e-e-E-e-eeee-d….to satis-a-fy the guitar hero in each of us. I think Eddie bought a Digitech Whammy pedal too. Alex’s double-bass footwork seems to be in shape and DLR still can’t sing. (I kid….I kid…although as expected, his range has decreased a little.) Even the high vocal harmonies that Mr. Anthony provided prior to his departure from the band are present.
Although Tattoo was the first single released and was the #1 selling rock song on iTunes and received over two million YouTube hits in the first week, in my opinion, it’s not the best track on the record (or the worst). Lot’s of good stuff in the ‘grooves’. (That’s a vinyl reference folks. You know, those big round plastic things with music on both sides?) Two options available: standard or ‘deluxe DVD’ which has acoustic versions of Panama, You and Your Blues (new), Beautiful Girls, and You Really Got Me.
4 out of 5 stars. Well done boys! It’s refreshing to hear a good solid album for a change and a nice booster shot in the arm for music in general. Other bands should take notes (that’s right, I’m talking to you Nickelback).
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