Van Halen

Van Halen III

This CD makes a good doorstop

Review Score:

(2/10)
I don't think enough has been said here about how criminally BAD this album truly is.

There is really not one redeeming quality to be found on this disc. Even the single, "Without You", falls terribly short of being enjoyable -- the song sounds unfinished and the production is half-assed. At its best, VH3 sounds like Hagar-era B-side rejects on a day when Sammy's voice was blown. At its worst, this is a comedy record.

If you're looking for a good laugh, look no further than "How Many Say I" -- a ballad "sung" (and I use that word lightly) by none other than Eddie Van Halen. To say that Eddie can't sing is the understatement of the year. The song has been an ongoing joke between my friends and I since the day this disc was released. I have never heard a worse song by a major band. Never.

And while we're on the subject of bad singing -- Gary Cherone made a valiant but failed effort to step in as third VH vocalist. While I don't blame him for this mess of an album (I blame the Van Halen brothers, no question), he certainly did not succeed at his job either. His vocals are pretty weak from beginning to end. Though I've never been a big fan of his, he's certainly sung much better than this.

And where the hell is Michael Anthony on this record? His background vocals are normally way up front on all the VH releases....I don't hear him here at all, and would not be surprised if I found out he didn't even play on it. If he didn't, who could blame him? What an embarrassment.

Simply put, if you are a fan of music, do not listen to this CD. I wish I could give negative stars.

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