 sickman | |
 mrmojohalen | There is constructive criticism, there is an opinion, and then there is bashing. Mr. Stillwater’s Open Letter contained all three. He goes over the edge of the cliff when he comments, “I don’t know who is doing the band’s hair these days but that person needs to be fired. Alex has so much product in his hair he looks like he is in a wind tunnel. David Lee Roth looks like Donald Trump and Eddie is starting to look a bit like the Geico caveman.” Unfortunately, some people try to drag others down in order to feel better about themselves. I think with some fans, comparing the VH of today with the pre 1985 band is somewhat of a shock & letdown. The new album isn’t living up to whatever pre-conceived hype they have of them. Does anyone think that the band is going to make a video with Dave dressed in ’80s garb jumping off of a drum riser? It’s not going to happen. I think with the last tour, there was a clear difference between eras. I’s 2012 and the band today is what it is, some things are very different, some things are the same, some things are even better. That’s life in a nutshell. I didn’t like “Tattoo” when I first heard it, but now I think it’s a good song, without trying to compare it with their past work or thinking how it could have been better or how it “should” be. King Edward said “I want a solid tour without it turning into the DLR show with an appearance by Van Halen.”. I think we all do and if Dave ever did get out of hand, you know the band would get on his case about it, perhaps even parting ways with him once again. Let’s not over analyze this & let’s wait & see. I think Dave has grown up a bit & isn’t as nutty as he used to be. I think he has traded his slam dunk for a fadeaway jumpshot. As long as he makes the basket without fouling anyone. Frankm stated “I’m also a little frustrated with the fan base. There were people, some on this very site, who were posting comments saying this is the best thing ever … before they even heard anything at all.” I don’t recall any posts stating this. Where did you read this? When I first heard the 30 sec. previews, some of the tunes made me raise an eyebrow. Since I’ve heard the 90 sec. previews in a better quality, I have come to like these songs. It’s real easy to take a song out of context when all you hear is a 30 sec. sample in low quality. I’ve noticed these songs contain elements of the classic VH mixed with a modern type sound & production. It’s different than their first 6 albums. Mink – I respect your opinions. I just think you are making too big of a deal about Dave in his overhalls & dance moves. He’s just having fun. Maybe this can be viewed as less badass. I think at this point they could careless about their image. Their stage presence from the ’80s is long gone. You stated, “My concern is “if” the new songs are weak and Dave is off in what ever place he goes to, the tour could become a mockery” This is simply a doomsday scenario that is based upon fear. I think the songs they choose to play in concert from the new album will be some of the better tunes & will sound even better live. The old Dave used to go off in what ever place he goes to. Remember how many times he forgot the f’n words? If VH start this tour where the last tour left off, this is going to be one great show to see. So everyone, feel free to state your opinions without bashing the band or being a buzzkill. Otherwise Steecoe will hunt you down.
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 radikal | |
| mrmojohalen | |
 ron | |
 guitard | |
 VAiN |
YES, YES and YES!!!!! Thank you, Steeco. You saved me the trouble of typing that out. I’d bet just about anything that this guy loves nickleback. What a complete toolbag. Thank you. |
 steecoe | For those that were offended by my colorful adjectives,This is what I meant to say: For at least the last decade and a half, Eddie Van Halen has been criticized as not caring about what the fans want to hear. In 1996, Van Halen reunited temporarily with David Lee Roth, and recorded 2 new songs for their Best Of Volume I album. At this point, Eddie did not try to turn back the clock, but instead wrote the type of songs he had been writing recently, very Balance-era style, and the two songs were poorly received. In 1997, the reunion had collapsed, and Van Halen replaced Roth with Gary Cherone to produce the highly experimental, terribly received Van Halen III. Due to the poor reception, Cherone was amicably let go after recording a second album that never saw the light of day. When Sammy returned in 2004, the three songs written for Best of Both Worlds were also dismissed, even though they really picked up where the Hagar era had left off. The bottom line is that Eddie has a checkered past of experimenting with new styles and techniques, as well as trying to appease the fans. With David Lee Roth once more back in the fold, Eddie has had to walk a very fine line. If he releases more Me Wise Magic style music, the whole reunion will be critically panned, and they will be considered over-the-hill rock stars who can’t make the music they used to. If he digs out old samples, he has the chance of creating a classic album that fits right in to the Roth era, but some people will still criticize it as rehash. The third option I guess would be not to release an album at all, but I would take a million Van Halen III records before I chose that option. Also, keep in mind that none of this music has been released before, so the band has every right to revisit and rework their unused material. Eddie also has had a long history of reusing riffs that he couldn’t quite make work or fit in the past. Their 1977 demo “Voodoo Queen” was reworked into 1981′s “Mean Street”. “Last Night” became 1982′s “Hang ‘em High”. The ending to “Jump” is later worked as the signature riff of 1991′s “Top of the World”. “No More Waiting” became “Take Me Back” in 1995. The soundtrack to the 1984 film “The Wild Life” has countless segments that Eddie later developed into songs, including 1988′s “Mine All Mine”, 1991′s “Right Now”, and yes, now”Blood and Fire” in 2012. What Eddie has decided on is in the best interest of his fans, which is a move he does not often make. If you look up their bootlegs on YouTube you can find users commenting that they wish Van Halen released this stuff! And now they are, so you might as well enjoy it, and realize that this really is as close as we’re going to get to 1984 Van Halen. Any other album Van Halen made with Roth would disappoint more people. The first single “Tattoo”, while it’s not their most hard rock moment, does fit well with the Classic 6. It’s hard to prove, but I’m pretty sure there’s some time bias going on here that is admittedly hard to isolate. I have a feeling if “Tattoo” appeared on “Diver Down”, it would slide in relatively comfortably next to “Where Have All The Good Times Gone?”. As for the video, I really couldn’t care less what the band looks like, but at least they are energetic, and having fun, and that is really all that Van Halen fans who have been waiting since 1984 want to get out of a music video at this point. I do find it funny to refer to Joe Satriani as a guitarist who still innovates, even though I have been reading the exact opposite of his playing on Chickenfoot, where everyone is wondering how Satriani is content playing such simplistic stuff. Chickenfoot may have some catchy riffs, it is absolutely devoid of originality and will only please the crowd of classic rock radio listeners who are content hearing AC DC’s “Back in Black” every morning on their way to work. Anyhow, thank you for not remarking on how it isn’t a full reunion without Michael Anthony, or poking fun at Wolfie’s weight. Those seem to still be the most common criticisms circulating. |
 Cut2TheCrash | |
 dusty825 | |
| mrmojohalen | |
 JasonA |
He can suck the shit out of my ass till his eyes turn brown. fuck him.
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