Van Halen

Van Halen III

Van Halen: Cool Even if Big Bird Was at the Helm

Review Score:

(8/10)
The rotating lead singers of Van Halen have never been in control. It's Eddie's band and always will be. While all three incarnations of the band are different, I've never understood how somebody can like one and not the rest. It's all Van Halen and it all rules. "3," Gary Cherone's first (and only) album with Van Halen is easily the most cerebral and experimental, but the experimentation is welcome after twenty years of songs about women's bodies. If you need more raunch after listening to "3," just pop in "1984" and you'll find balance (pun definitely intended). Gary gets way too much criticism. Van Halen was already mellowing out on "Balance." Even if Hagar had remained with the band, the follow-up to "Balance" probably would have been much like "3" anyway. Eddie was fresh off the bottle, a relatively new father, and just out of hip surgery. His music was bound to reflect the slow-down in his party lifestyle. I saw Van Halen on tour with Gary and it was the best concert I've ever seen. While I admit that I like the Gary era of VH more than most fans, I think there is a lot to like about "3" if you listen with an open mind.

More Reviews: