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| Sputnikmusic |
 ‘Lead Single Syndrome’... It’s a theory that yours truly has concerning the first single from many albums being overly derided due to individuals not believing the track to be the best representation of its record. Labels are not foolish, however, and in most cases, a lead single will in fact be either the best or most accessible song from its release. As with every theory, there are exceptions, and one such case comes from ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’, the twelfth and comeback studio LP from Californian hard-rock icons Van Halen. Upon first listen to the naggingly catchy, but utterly silly, lead single (and album opener) ‘Tattoo’, reactions vary from groaning disappointment to hysterical embarrassment. Apart from an impressive guitar solo, it is the kind of dated, non-cohesive train-wreck which long-time fans were afraid would ruin the band’s legacy. But – in what may be the most unexpected pleasant surprise of 2012 – cynics will have to hold their “Van Kroeger” jokes for the time being, since ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’ is ultimately an accomplished, hard-rocking record that somehow manages to not sound too dated. Considering this is Van Halen’s first LP for fourteen years – and first with David Lee Roth for twenty-eight – it comes as no shock that the quartet struggle most here when briefly exploring their poppy glam-rock side. Thankfully, these forays are few and far between, with the ageless rockers wisely constructing many of these tunes by reworking unreleased demos and bits & pieces from their storied past. Many such tidbits date back to the mid-1970s, meaning ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’ probably has more in common with an album like ‘Van Halen II’, than any other. Possibly the biggest surprise here is how ferociously up-tempo the LP is, since it would be a stretch calling any one of its thirteen tracks a power-ballad, while there’s hardly a keyboard to be heard. The rapid-fire ‘Bullethead’ speeds out of the gate and simply does not relent, while hard-rocking highlight ‘China Town’ is three minutes worth that would not be out of place amongst the best of the band’s discography! Arguably most pleasing for long-suffering fans is the return to top form of lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen, who appears to have put all of his various ailments (including arthritic concerns) behind him. He opens the aforementioned ‘China Town’ by setting his fret-board alight, before following up with a tremendous crowd-pleasing solo - of which there are many during the album. He displays variety too... From the infectious buzzing riff of ‘As Is’ and the bluesy tones evident throughout, all the way through to the mild experimentation of ‘Honeybabysweetiedoll’ and ‘Outta Space’, which remind of another comeback shredder in Living Colour’s Vernon Reid. Far from being a one-man musical show, Eddie can also play the team game by successfully synching in with his drummer brother Alex and bassist son Wolfgang, the latter of whom holds his own capably following the controversial departure of Michael Anthony....full text |
| Ultimateclassicrock |
| Reportedly a few lucky people have already gotten to hear the new Van Halen record ‘A Different Kind of Truth,’ well ahead of its Feb. 7 street date. Judging from the internet accounts of these highly guarded listening sessions, the band’s first outing with original singer David Lee Roth in nearly 30 years is going to make fans pretty happy. MelodicRock.com reports that one retailer, who had an Interscope executive fly out for a special playback session, labeled the record “overall, heavier than I expected,” and singled out the songs ‘China Town,’ ‘Big River’ and ‘Beats Workin” as highlights. They also went on to say that ‘She’s the Woman,’ as previewed at the band’s recent New York City club show, was better than the official first single ‘Tattoo.’ A post on the VHLinks message board quotes another, unnamed source, who runs down every song on the album in mostly favorable terms, and also declares ‘A Different Kind of Truth’ “better than anticipated.” They go so far as to cite ‘You and Your Blues’ as “probably the coolest VH track I’ve heard,” adding they “didn’t think Eddie had this sort of thing in him.” Which boggles our mind a bit — what hasn’t Edward Van Halen shown he can do with a guitar? If this review is accurate the record also features a couple of ballads, including “real surprise” ‘As Is,’ which is described as “melodic, slower, understated in many ways” and ultimately, “the best track on the album.” Of course, these reports should be taken with a grain of salt. Hopefully soon enough we’ll all get our chance to hear this eagerly anticipated album. Until then, it’s a steady diet of the first six albums on repeat out here, how about you?...full text |
| Guardian |
| Despite the multi-platinum gluttony of the Sammy Hagar era, true Van Halen devotees have never been in any doubt about who they want to front their favourite band. Some 28 years after Jump and Hot for Teacher, David Lee Roth has squeezed back into his old spandex pants, his lascivious yelping at last reunited with legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen's nimble-fingered pyrotechnics (see page 12). In truth, this would have to be a dismal affair to fail to outstrip 1998's scorned Van Halen III, but once the DLR-related euphoria dies down, A Different Kind of Truth is a frequently thrilling return. These songs crackle, fizz and bulge with priapic exuberance, and not just due to the reliably demented Roth. Seemingly inspired by the presence of his 20-year-old son Wolfgang on bass, Van Halen is on extraordinary form, whether churning out sumptuous grooves on Tattoo and Big River, or gleefully setting his fretboard alight on China Town and the bug-eyed Bullethead. Against the odds, the party metal kings are back and blazing. Fun times....full text |
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