Van Halen

Van Halen III

If done by a different band...

Review Score:

(8/10)
If this CD was done by Van Halen under an alias, then I'm sure it would have sold much more than it did. Listen, people, Just because it's Van Halen doesn't mean they have to re-create the exact same types of songs over and over about sex, pot, money, and more sex, with vast amounts of overdub, EVERY SINGLE ALBUM! Aerosmith is in their 50's and their same old shtick is getting very old, and so was Van Halen's. So what did they do? They got a vocalist who actually knows that EDDIE is the leader of the band, not themselves, in Gary Cherone. They wrote songs about political conciousness, more mature love themes, and even a cranker or two, and you have Van Halen 3. At first listen, you'll notice the AWFUL production. Mike Post really needs to find another job. Gary's vocals are undermixed, you can barely hear Mike Anthony's bass, and Alex's drums click more than pound. It seems he focused on Eddie entirely, who turns in another stellar performance. And for all you MORONS who think he should start DRINKING again, what the hell kind of suggestion is that?! Would you tell a coke addict who just quit to start again?! Anyways, as I said, this album is dominated by Eddie and Gary turns in a great performance. At times he sounds too much like Hagar and it just gets annoying but on songs like Josephina and Dirty Water Dog he really delivers. VAN HALEN is NOT going to sing mindless party music forever. They grew up, and apparently their fans haven't. It's sad, really, the ignorance of some folk. Just because it doesn't SOUND like a typical Van Halen album for the most part, people think it sucks. If this album were put out by Van Halen going under a different name, people wouldn't expect so much and it would fly out of stores. Highlight of the album: Year to the Day. If Van Halen recorded Stairway to Heaven, this is what it would sound like. Eddie also delivers fantastic solos all through the album, he hasn't sounded this inventive. since Fair Warning, seriously. Also, many people may not like the all-piano How Many Say I, sung by EVH, but it certainly demonstrates his talent. Once people get used to Gary's vocals (and he sounds MUCH better live, have no fear,.. and unlike our friend Hager, he actually does DLR songs by choice, not because Eddie held a gun to his head) they'll get used to the new VH. It's really a great album, I can't compare it to their old work because it's different but it certainly deserves a chance. Don't listen to the ignorant comments others have put here. Buy the album and judge for yourselves.

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