Van Halen

Van Halen III

Certainly Not Great But Worth Listening To

Review Score:

(6/10)
Where to start with this one? This is probably one of the most viciously maligned CDs in Rock and Roll history. Deservedly so? Possibly.

Casual Van Halen fans(particularly new ones who hopped on the wagon with the new Greatest Hits album and tour) may need to learn the history behind this one. See, the lead singer on this isn't Sammy Hagar. But it isn't David Lee Roth either. It is none other than...former Extreme lead singer Gary Cherone?

I don't know what it is, but on this album, you just CANNOT UNDERSTAND what Gary is wailing on about. Once you read the lyrics to the song, you'll be able to recognize it in the song, but probably not before then. Go on, listen to the clip of "One I Want" on Amazon.com, and try to decipher at least half of the lyrics. You probably won't be able to.

This album isn't total garbage though. The guitar sound is unquestionably Eddie Van Halen, though it's a little more subdued on some songs. This should have included at least one more hard-rocker in the style of "Poundcake", or something similar. In fact, musical style is probably the biggest undoing of this album. It's trying to be provocative and deep, but c'mon, has Van Halen EVER been about that? It's there right to try anything they want, but when you there's such an abrupt shift in style from one of the greatest rock bands of all time, you can't expect fans to be pleased.

Though this is unquestionably the worst Van Halen album ever, it is not horrible. "One I Want" is an enjoyable song(once you've deciphered the lyrics) as is "Fire In the Hole" and both of them find their way on to my playlist on my computer regularly.

In the end Gary Cherone and Van Halen was just a bad mix. Gary is a super guy and it's hard to knock him, but he just wasn't the right fit for this band. I'm not sure anyone was. Asking fans to accept a third lead singer, especially after the 15-minute reunion with David Lee Roth, was probably too much to ask for any band.

If you're going to buy just one Van Halen album, it sure as hell shouldn't be this one, but if you're picking up a bunch or just want to try something different, I would pick it up.

More Reviews: