Let's take a little break from the 2011 countdown and talk about Van Halen
The music world is abuzz about the return of the (kinda) classic line up of Van Halen, and their new song "Tattoo". Check it out here:
Overall, this song is pretty disappointing. The thing that made Van Halen interesting was they were dangerous. Rock and roll, especially the beer-fueled, testosterone laden arena rock that Van Halen espoused, should be menacing. The band was burly, theatric and, more importantly, listenable. And, their appeal went beyond the casual rock fan. Eddie Van Halen was legitimately one of the best guitarists in the world at one time, and appreciated by both serious and casual music fans. Alex Van Halen was a decent drummer. David Lee Roth's theatrical stage persona was perfect for drawing in a casual listener. But, where has this band gone?
This new version of Van Halen is the first time that Roth has recorded with the Van Halen brothers in more than 25 years. Given the volatile nature of their relationship over the years, there was potential for something dramatic to happen, something to spark the creative juices and make their music dangerous again. Something far from the radio-friendly rock that Sammy Hagar's years as singer brought to the band. But that hasn't happened. "Tattoo" is just limp.
First, Eddie's guitar playing is pedestrian. There's no virtuouso style solos, no burning, driving guitar punch. His playing here is merely competent. he sounds like very other rock guitarist around. Same with Alex, his drumming lacks flair and he seems just to be keeping a beat. David Lee Roth's singing is on par with his early work with the band, but the theatrics are gone. No high kicks, just jazz shuffles. It's sad really.
Rumour has it that the rest of the coming album is more gritty, but I can't see it from this early single. You're supposed to lead with your strengths. If this is the strongest song on the album, the rest should be very underwhelming
Showing posts with label David Lee Roth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Lee Roth. Show all posts
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Thursday, October 28, 2010
When David Lee Roth ruled music television
Back when music video was very new, say about 192-1984, there seemed to be some acts that were born for it. Bands that understood that being an entertainer also meant that there needed to be something to look at as well as being listen to. Band like Duran Duran, Devo and, yes, Van Halen. When VH's "1984" came out, it seemed like they were born fully formed into the video age. With four albums of solid guitar rock/metal behind them, they fully embraced a pop-rock sound and made upbeat, feelgood videos that were fun to watch. Like "Panama":
And their excellent "Hot for Teacher":
Soon after 1984 had fizzled out, David Lee Roth embarked on a solo career. His first EP, Crazy From the Heat, took the Van Halen party formula and thrust it forward to it's logical extreme. Roth was a camera hog, a ham and he chewed up the scenery like no one else at the time. The two videos that came from the EP, "California Girls" and "Just a Gigolo", were paeans to the excess of the 80s, with Roth as a grinning, wacky ringmaster. "California Girls" had racial stereotypes and rampant sexism, with Roth wallowing in the absurdity, like some sort of Roman idol, all of the members of the video's cast seemingly worshiping him.
"Just a Gigolo" came off like a Las Vegas stage show, with Roth changing costumes and sets every 15 seconds or so, skewering the pop idols of the time (including Billy Idol). It seemed like Roth was ready to take over the music world.
By the time his first full length album, Eat 'em and Smile, came out, Roth was beginning to look long in the tooth. The album was enjoyable enough and the first single and video for "Yankee Rose" was wacky enough, but the edge seemed to be dulled. Roth's stage presence was reduced to his trademark high-kicks and karate moves, and he was hanging off his backing band (containing an up-and-coming Steve Vai) like he was in Motley Crue, not being his own man.
His second full length, Skyscraper, was a disaster. The music industry had passed him by. Roth was a parody of himself and his music lacked the energy and sheer mania of his earliest solo work. The video and single "Just Like Paradise" sounded like every other rock band on the planet.
Growing up, I remember watching Roth and being very excited to watch this new kind of rock star, one born for video, take off. Watching him very quickly fizzle was disappointing, but showed he needed some talented people backing him up for him to really shine. His ego was too much for his music and he quickly proved to be a shyster in spandex. Strangely, his prediction at the end of the "Hot for Teacher" video, where he became a popular gameshow host, didn't fall too far from the mark. Really, who respects a gameshow host, that is, if your name isn't Bob Barker?
And their excellent "Hot for Teacher":
Soon after 1984 had fizzled out, David Lee Roth embarked on a solo career. His first EP, Crazy From the Heat, took the Van Halen party formula and thrust it forward to it's logical extreme. Roth was a camera hog, a ham and he chewed up the scenery like no one else at the time. The two videos that came from the EP, "California Girls" and "Just a Gigolo", were paeans to the excess of the 80s, with Roth as a grinning, wacky ringmaster. "California Girls" had racial stereotypes and rampant sexism, with Roth wallowing in the absurdity, like some sort of Roman idol, all of the members of the video's cast seemingly worshiping him.
"Just a Gigolo" came off like a Las Vegas stage show, with Roth changing costumes and sets every 15 seconds or so, skewering the pop idols of the time (including Billy Idol). It seemed like Roth was ready to take over the music world.
By the time his first full length album, Eat 'em and Smile, came out, Roth was beginning to look long in the tooth. The album was enjoyable enough and the first single and video for "Yankee Rose" was wacky enough, but the edge seemed to be dulled. Roth's stage presence was reduced to his trademark high-kicks and karate moves, and he was hanging off his backing band (containing an up-and-coming Steve Vai) like he was in Motley Crue, not being his own man.
His second full length, Skyscraper, was a disaster. The music industry had passed him by. Roth was a parody of himself and his music lacked the energy and sheer mania of his earliest solo work. The video and single "Just Like Paradise" sounded like every other rock band on the planet.
Growing up, I remember watching Roth and being very excited to watch this new kind of rock star, one born for video, take off. Watching him very quickly fizzle was disappointing, but showed he needed some talented people backing him up for him to really shine. His ego was too much for his music and he quickly proved to be a shyster in spandex. Strangely, his prediction at the end of the "Hot for Teacher" video, where he became a popular gameshow host, didn't fall too far from the mark. Really, who respects a gameshow host, that is, if your name isn't Bob Barker?
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