All hail Van Halen
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Jacob Spader, Reporter
February 9, 2012
Filed under A&E
In the past, great bands have left their mark in music history but cease to exist today. Some bands, however, refuse to die and display an astonishing amount of resiliency. When thinking of a band like this, the legendary Van Halen comes to mind. Van Halen has returned with original lead singer David Lee Roth to embark on a reunion tour in support of their new album A Different Kind of Truth.
Released Feb. 7, A Different Kind of Truth features 13 all new tracks recorded by the musical geniuses of Van Halen. Van Halen have contributed one of the most talented guitarists to ever grace the guitar and stage, Eddie Van Halen himself. Interestingly enough, Van Halen’s two sons, Wolfgang and Alex Van Halen also contribute in the band as the bassist and drummer.
Van Halen has received god-like status from music critics for decades and is credited with completely redefining the guitar in both style and speed. Even now at the age of 57, he still puts the modern guitarist to shame by executing blistering guitar solos with the precision of a brain surgeon.
In addition to Van Halen, the band has brought back original front man David Lee Roth. With Roth on board for the new album, it became highly anticipated. The first single off the album, “Tattoo”, hit number one on Billboard’s Hard Rock Singles chart and became the most played song on classic radio stations.
The album’s lyrical content contains everything Van Halen. It covers the cliche sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll topic that will bring nostalgia to the veteran listener but still catch the attention of younger listeners. The band does this through combining old school and new school elements of hard rock. This consists of taking the classic Van Halen sound and making it a little heavier all while sticking to the Van Halen lyrical formula.
Without a doubt, this album proves that even with age, Van Halen have not lost their luster as one of the greatest rock bands of all time and that old dogs can learn new tricks.
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