Forget all the politics, past history, squabbling and Chickenfoot comparisons. This is Van Halen, plain and simply back to where they should be, making feel good hard rock for the masses with the enigmatic David Lee Roth back on the pedestal where he belongs.
'Tattoo' I have to admit, is a dire song to reintroduce yourselves to your audience and thankfully it's certainly the runt in the litter compared to the remaining tracks. Roth's back on the mic, taking up the slack from where he left off back in 1984 and not missing a beat. 'She's The Woman', 'China Town' are great pieces of hard rock that make you want to get on Route 66 top down, foot to the floor cruising to the next truck stop. Eddie is on fire with his signature guitar chops at the forefront hopefully influencing a new generation of guitar hero on the way.
The albums pace is relentless, 'As Is' kicks off with Eddies heaviest riff to date that reverberates through your chest cavity. In fact I think Eddie has been listening to a lot of heavier music which has influenced the sound on ADKOT and made for a much heavier sounding album. 'Honeybabysweetiedoll' even has a touch of Dimebag buried in Eddie's new found resurgence in creativity. However, Van Halen cannot resist that quirky track and 'Stay Frosty' is the acoustic led, laid back stomp you come to expect towards the end.
So, was the of 28 year wait worth it? Fuck yes! This is Van Halen bringing the Californian sunshine into your homes but a new Van Halen for 2012 combined with the ethos of their historic heritage moving forward with the times. Eddie is still a guitar God; Roth is where he should be and the rhythm section of Alex and Wolfgang solid and tight. The DVD sees them playing acoustic numbers with Roth dressed like he's just come from re-modeling his house, still nice to have different versions of songs.
A Different Kind Of Truth is all it should be and more, well worth the wait and all is forgiven for all the shit that has gone down these past years.
Van Halen are back, make no mistake putting the hard firmly back into rock!
Track Listing
1. Tattoo
2. She's The Woman
3. You and Your Blues
4. China Town
5. Blood and Fire
6. Bullethead
7. As Is
8. Honeybabysweetiedoll
9. The Trouble With Never
10. Outta Space
11. Stay Frosty
12. Big River
13. Beats Workin
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