Van Halen delivers 'A Different Kind of Truth'

Musician Greg Lakeonce said, “Making a comeback is one of the most difficult things to do with dignity.” I was in fourth grade the last time David, Eddie and Alex got together for a full-length album.

The year and record was “1984.” Ronald Regan was running for re-election, Michael Jackson’s hair caught on fire filming a Pepsi commercial, Chrysler introduced the minivan, and Eddie Murphy had the number one movie at the box office with Beverly Hills Cop.

Van Halen was riding high with their song “Jump” soaring to the number two spot on the Billboard charts only behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Everything seemed to be going well for the band and then it all came to a sweeping halt. In fighting led to David Lee Roth leaving while Eddie and the boys teamed up with the red rocker Sammy Hagar. Now we fast forward to 2008 when Dave, Eddie, Alex and now Eddies son Wolfgang reformed the new version of the aging rock band.

The tour got mixed reviews and a tough one from me. I actually walked out of the concert because the music was too loud and you couldn’t hear David at all. The band would regroup, which brings us to the moment of truth. A different kind of truth.

Quite frankly, this album rocks with a capital R. I was pleasantly surprised with the material that really brings you back to the roaring and blistering sounds of 80’s arena rock. A total of seven songs were re-worked from their days when Roth was doing splits across the stage (at age 51 he wouldn’t dare try that now. If he did I’m sure “it would be very painful”).  She’s the Woman, Big River, Tattoo, Blood and Fire, Bullethead, Outta Space and Beats Workin are all songs never appearing on an album until now.

Stay Frosty was on last weeks CSI episode and The Trouble With Never has already become an Internet hit. In a nutshell the album is worth your time and your effort to point and click and spend the $15 bucks to download it.

Truly, the ripping sounds of Eddie’s guitar will leave your ears salivating and wanting more. Blood and Fire is destined to become legendary as it brings you back to the classic Van Halen moods we heard on Fair Warning and Woman and Children First.

I can tell you that I didn’t expect the band to pull this off. Browsing on YouTube and watching kids play their rendition of the first single Tattoo is a huge sign. Ask most rock fans and despite today’s groups most people will tell you rock-n-roll is dead. For a brief moment by listening to this album you will believe again. Heck, I picked up my own guitar and started playing to the delight of my hip hop wife.

Remember back in 1999, The X-Men was the first super hero movie in quite awhile and many other sci-fi flicks were on hold pending its outcome. The X-Men’s success spawned, Spider-Man, Hulk, X2, and Batman Begins.

You can bet the rock world is in the same paradox. If A Different Kind Of Truth does well, expect more rock albums to come after it. Van Halen got dropped by Warner Brothers and picked up by Interscope. It was a risk! A risk of embarrassment and a risk of being the butt of every aging rockers joke. You have to assume other bands like the Stones, Bruce, or even Bon Jovi are wiping off the dust, cobwebs and checking the vault to see what’s in they’re that can be re-worked. 

L.L. Cool J said, “don’t call it a comeback. I’ve been here for years.” No, this was a comeback and one done with plenty of dignity.

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