Van Halen

Balance

Van Halen's Heady Album.

Review Score:

(8/10)
I think that this is a pretty good album. Yes it is a little spotty but still came together nicely. Coming out in 1995, this album seemed somewhat influenced by grunge. The guitars were toned down and the sound was very thick on a lot of the heavier songs. One thing that I need to give VH credit for on this is thinking outside the box on a lot of tracks. Having lyrically taken on some of the issues that grunge bands were talking about. Dysfunctionalism, and drugs, and the ills of the world. This was the only album where VH got serious and still sounded good. VH was serious on VHIII, but that album sucked. There were a few tracks I can relate to. I have been through a painful point in my life in the last year or so so songs like "Feelin'" and "Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)" sound particularly relatable now. Not to mention that they are great songs. "Not Enough" was a nice ballad that sounded more from the heart than many love songs do. "The Seventh Seal" was an awesome starter to the album. "Can't Stop Lovin You" was pop, but a decent song nonetheless. "Take Me Back (Deja Vu)" was an interesting Zeppelinesque song that seemed to be built on layers of Acoustic and Electric guitars. "Aftershock" was a great rocker about being irritated with love. "Amsterdam" was a great fun track and "Balunchitherium" was a very nicely done instrumental. My only real issues were "Big Fat Money" Sucked and "Strung out" and "Doin' Time" were both filler material. Other than that, it was great. If you want a good set of rockin' tunes with some more serious relatable songs, as well as songs that are a little of both, then this is the Balance (No Pun intended) between the two.

On another note, I am glad to hear that VH is back together with Sammy. I would have been really happy if it were Dave too. But after 8 years since Sammy's departure and the botched Diamond Dave Reunion, and the terrible Van Halen III album that followed, and the subsequent departure of Gary Cherone and the long silence that followed, I think that all VH fans are hungry to hear from their heroes again. I hope I can afford to see them when they come through Denver.

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