"Hey, I heard you missed us, we're back!"

I got my hands on a copy of the new Van Halen album, A Different Kind of Truth, three days early, and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised.

First, let me stress that Michael Anthony is still sorely missed. I really wish that Eddie Van Halen could have put his giant ego aside and worked things out with him. It's not a true Van Halen reunion without Mike; he was essential part of what made the band great.

That said, I really enjoy the record. I've listened to it twice now. "Tattoo" is easily the weakest song on the album, and a peculiar choice for lead single. I would have gone with "She's the Woman," "China Town" or even the mellow "Stay Frosty" (which is pretty much the sequel to "Ice Cream Man" from the first Van Halen album).

They don't try to make it sound like Van Halen 2012. Instead, they give fans what they want: the classic Van Halen sound. If I didn't know any better, I'd think some of these songs were recorded 30 years ago. Sure, David Lee Roth's vocals sometimes reveal his age -- especially when he tries to hit those high notes. But when I spin the A Different Kind of Truth, all I hear is the classic Van Halen I know and love. It doesn't sound labored or "sad" like some other reunion efforts; it's the successor to Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, Diver Down and 1984. it's three men picking up where they left off 28 years ago.

I thought we were going to witness a disaster, but I was wrong. We have a more-than-worthy addition to the Van Halen catalog.

"Hey, I heard you missed us, we're back!"

I got my hands on a copy of the new Van Halen album, A Different Kind of Truth, three days early, and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised.

First, let me stress that Michael Anthony is still sorely missed. I really wish that Eddie Van Halen could have put his giant ego aside and worked things out with him. It's not a true Van Halen reunion without Mike; he was essential part of what made the band great.

That said, I really enjoy the record. I've listened to it twice now. "Tattoo" is easily the weakest song on the album, and a peculiar choice for lead single. I would have gone with "She's the Woman," "China Town" or even the mellow "Stay Frosty" (which is pretty much the sequel to "Ice Cream Man" from the first Van Halen album).

They don't try to make it sound like Van Halen 2012. Instead, they give fans what they want: the classic Van Halen sound. If I didn't know any better, I'd think some of these songs were recorded 30 years ago. Sure, David Lee Roth's vocals sometimes reveal his age -- especially when he tries to hit those high notes. But when I spin the A Different Kind of Truth, all I hear is the classic Van Halen I know and love. It doesn't sound labored or "sad" like some other reunion efforts; it's the successor to Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, Diver Down and 1984. it's three men picking up where they left off 28 years ago.

I thought we were going to witness a disaster, but I was wrong. We have a more-than-worthy addition to the Van Halen catalog.


Excellent review Brad.

I will say that people have been very critical of "Tattoo," but after multiple listens, I have to say that song isn't half bad. Not the greatest song, but not bad at all. IMO

You're not wrong, Brian. "Tattoo" has kind of grown on me. Maybe it's because it's so catchy. I still think the lyrics are kind of stupid. Fortunately, it's the weakest song on the album, though.

The album comes out tomorrow. I'd like to hear the opinions of others here, especially yours, Brian, as well as Shine and dlemond.

I think A Different Kind of Truth is an awsome album. I was just hoping that the album would be a good rock n' roll album, I wasn't expecting much beyond that. I guess I didn't want to set myself up for the disappointment of another Van Halen III ("The album can't really be this bad, can it?"). I am very pleasently surprised with A Different Kind of Truth and I think its the best Van Halen album since For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge nearly 21 years ago. I would say its slightly better than Balance and leaps and bounds beyond Van Halen III.

What's most surprising about this new album is how heavy it is. You could easily place many of these songs next to "Atomic Punk" and "I'm On Fire" from Van Halen. Even "Tattoo", which I hated when I first heard it ,has grown on me. My favorite song on the album is "Bullethead" because it rocks and the lyrics show a more serious side of Dave.

Roth has never had a whole lot of vocal range and as he's aged that range has grown even less. However, he gets the job done. I think his lyrics on this album are some of his best as they are both wtty and and clever. Even on a song like "Tattoo" he shows a more serious side of himself ("he fought for the union/some of us still do").

Eddie and Alex are as great as ever. This is Eddie's best playing since For Unlawful Carnal Knowlege and he proves once again with A Diferent Kind of Truth why he is one of the greatest guitar players of all time. And Alex? I really think this might be his playing ever. Alex is one of those few musicians who gets better each album. Heck, his playing was the only good thing about the Cherone album.

Wolfie Van Halen is a good bass player but I still miss Mike. The one thing that this album really lacks is Mike's backing harmony vocals. As I said Wolfie is a good player but he has yet to prove that he is in the same ballpark as his father and uncle. People started playing guitar because of Eddie and people started playing drums because of Alex but I doubt Wolfie is going to influence anyone to pick up the bass.

A Different Kind of Truth is a really good Van Halen album. It may not be 5150 or Van Halen but that three guys nearing 60 can still rock this hard is pretty amazing and a pleasent surprise. :)

Great review, Mike! It's good to hear your insight.

The Van Halen brothers like to rewrite history. Just look what they did with the Best of Both Worlds compilation (released to promote the reunion tour with Sammy in 2004): no mentions of Dave in the liners, and no photographic evidence he was ever in the band, either.

Similarly, the Sammy era seems like it has been all-but ignored in the five years since Dave re-joined the band. It's as if Ed and Al just pretend Sammy (or Gary Cherone, for that matter) never were in Van Halen. What do you guys think will happen to the legacy of those years? There's some good stuff on those four albums, and I'd hate to see them swept under the rug.

The story was always that with the excpetion of a few songs Sammy would not sing Dave's music. And now the story is that Dave will not sing any Sammy music. I think Dave trying to pull off "When Its Love" and "Dreams" would certainly not work because his vocal range. However, he could still sing songs like "Poundcake". I think a set list without a single Hagar era song is a cheat to fans. That's the one thing I know that I'll be disappointed about with the upcoming tour.

People right now are just happy to have Dave back and to hear those songs after so long. However, their avoiding Van Hagar songs will hurt them in the end. After all, 5150 is third only to Van Halen and 1984 as the Van Halen album that has remaind the steadiest seller over the years and people are going to want to hear those songs again.

I love the new album and much of the classic Roth era music but I grew up with Van Hagar and it saddens me that I may never hear those songs live again.