Van Halen: A Different Kind of Turn (yes, TURN...)

I've been listening to this for about a week now, we know Van Halen is back. It's David Lee Roth singing  & Wolfgang doing bass. You know that single 'Tattoo' going viral online to showcase the master's return? Well, I deem it rather hype & it's a meek number in contrast with the rest of the songs in this collection. 'Big River' should be the signature VH number; just listen to the guitars in there & the overall infectious grooves. 

Wolfgang did well on the bass, technically, he's very competent & we expect nothing less from him since Dad is there to show him the way. Did David Lee Roth bring back the flash to Van Halen's glory days? When it comes to Van Halen, regardless of who's singing, it's still glorious, just a matter of how much gloss is in there but Mr. Roth's vocal range somehow didn't so justice to the depth of the songs. With Sammy Hagar wailing, I somehow felt that Van Halen's songs were bigger, punchier, more in your face but hearing David Lee Roth blowing wind into the microphone reminds me of an aging band- still lethal but not as venomous. I guess I grew up in the Sammy Hagar era & accepting someone else singing in there (Gary Cherone was nobody to Van Halen) is unacceptable. However, I'm more into the guitars so the bloke singing & strutting his stuff in spandex is much secondary to my interest. This is a turn of sorts for VH, out with the old & in with the... em... older.

Botom line: Van Halen is back. Don't let anyone tell you different.