Before I start this review I want to tackle 2 issues.
Issue 1... These are old songs: Yes some (If not all) are old songs from the bands demo tape... Who cares? Bands have been doing this forever. I can't imagine writing what I think is a good song and having to just forget it because a record company exec decided they didn't like it and then I'd have to never touch it for years. Like I said... Bands have been revisiting old material forever.
Issue 2... Too high of an expectation: When a band makes a "come back" often they do so under much more scrutiny. We expect something that may be impossible to do. I try not to use old albums or back stories when I review a record. It's tough... But I try.
It's been 28 years since we have had a full album of new material from a David Lee Roth led Van Halen and 14 years since Van Halen released their last new material "Van Halen III" and though I think it's a good record over all it does suffer from some low points.
The album starts with the single "Tattoo"
I really didn't like the single when I first heard it. It sounded like DLR's solo stuff circa "Skyscraper". It's starting to grow on me with it's catchy pre-chorus though the repetitive chorus' are something I'm not a huge fan of.
"She's The Woman" a more of a boogie shuffle style of song. A lot more upbeat and rocking song over all. I am assuming this will be the next single as it has gotten the most play at the shows the band has been doing before the album release.
"You and Your Blues". Here is where you really start to miss Micheal Anthony as there is more focus on the backing vocals and they are a little flat. Musically it's solid, we do get DLR over singing a little, but it's a solid song.
"China Town" This song is a rave up type of a song, faster pacing but still somehow boring. Not a big fan of it.
"Blood And Fire" Another song that sounds pulled out of the solo DLR playbook circa "Eat 'em and Smile" era. It's not a bad song but too much Dave not enough everyone else.
"Bullethead" is a hard rocking number. And it's very messy. Think Van Halen meets punk rock. Would have been a good B-side.
"As Is" Sounds like a song that was supposed to be an instrumental that Dave scat sings over. The band sounds good, probably better without a singer though
"Honeybabysweetydoll" This could have been "eruption" like.... Shut up Dave please! His vocals add nothing of value here.
"The Trouble With Never" Good chorus, however the verses are awful. Sounds like a half baked throwaway track
"Outta Space" The song sounds recorded live in studio and has a very free feel to it. I would have made this the 1st single. Good track
"Stay Frosty" OK... I said I didn't want to compare this to old VH but this song is very reminiscent of "Ice Cream Man" off of their debut album. I can see this being a live favorite for years if they keep touring
"Big River" Another single worthy song. It has the best traditional structure of a song on the album. If they get to 3 singles I can't see why they wouldn't release it.
"Beats Workin'" The song starts with a little AC/DC rip off of "Walk All Over You" Then gets back to a VH sound. Chorus is catchy. Could be a big summer song. Should have been earlier in the album. Sequencing matters.
Over all I like the record. As I said, I'd re sequence it for a better flow but in this day I'm not sure that really matters. The keyboards are GONE! So if that was something you didn't like about "Van Hagar" then you will be happy. Also no sappy love songs. This is a heavier record for VH, more towards "Balance" then anything from DLR era VH. The band is solid, Dave could use a muzzle here and there (but that's kind of expected with him). If you buy the special edition you also get a 4 song video of the band sitting around doing an acoustic set. It's kind of nice seeing the laid back tone, though some interviews from the band would have been a cool addition.
If I have to give it a rating I'd say 7.5 out of 10. Not their best, but still better then most
