Van Halen Thread v. Where Have All The Good Times Gone

[chrisbDTM]

(are you talking about the one that goes "swamp meet sally, tramp stamp tat..."

yea that part. i dont like it

[KevShmev]

Oh please. That's your response? LOL
Cause will all know pop music and number 1 hits equate to great music right.

Not necessarily, but if a song goes to number 1, by definition, it is NOT a weak pop song, as you called it.  Throwing in the "My 11-year old writes more interesting stuff on the keyboard" line, or whatever exactly it was that you said, just sounds silly.  Anyone can say that and be full of shit, so it means nothing. 

What is your favorite song?  Oh, yeah?  I wrote something more interesting on the guitar last night, and I don't even play!  But prove that I didn't. 

See what I mean?  Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?

[El Barto]

Since Tattoo is a reworking of a 70's era song,  I wonder if Michael Anthony will get royalties from it.  After listening to the prototype,  I think the new one is terrible,  but if MA get's some writing credit,  I hope it's a smash success.

Considering how bad EVH's drunk ass was on the last tour,  I suspect I'll be sitting this one out.  I'll be happy to change my mind if it turns out he's got his act together, though. 

[BlobVanDam]

Since Tattoo is a reworking of a 70's era song,  I wonder if Michael Anthony will get royalties from it.  After listening to the prototype,  I think the new one is terrible,  but if MA get's some writing credit,  I hope it's a smash success.

Considering how bad EVH's drunk ass was on the last tour,  I suspect I'll be sitting this one out.  I'll be happy to change my mind if it turns out he's got his act together, though. 

Pretty sure he got sober before they worked on this album, and still sober as far as I know. Anyone's guess as to whether that lasts once they're out on tour, which I believe is when it fell apart last time.

[JoiseyDTLovah]

Just for grins, checked the price of a ticket at MSG.     149.00 plus fees?   
I'll be watching the youtube vids on this one.

[JoiseyDTLovah]

instead,  I am going to see Unchained, the mighty Van Halen tribute band at BB Kings for 10 bucks.

[Tick]

Oh please. That's your response? LOL
Cause will all know pop music and number 1 hits equate to great music right.

Not necessarily, but if a song goes to number 1, by definition, it is NOT a weak pop song, as you called it.  Throwing in the "My 11-year old writes more interesting stuff on the keyboard" line, or whatever exactly it was that you said, just sounds silly.  Anyone can say that and be full of shit, so it means nothing. 

What is your favorite song?  Oh, yeah?  I wrote something more interesting on the guitar last night, and I don't even play!  But prove that I didn't. 

See what I mean?  Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?

I get it, I was disrespecting a weak song. My daughter is actually a VERY talented musician who plays violin, guitar, and keyboards. and all of them well. That's not saying she could write Jump, I'm just saying she comes up with great hooks on her board.
but please don't tell me that if a song goes to number 1 it can't be a weak song. That one I won't give ya. People have pretty bad taste in music.

[Ultimetalhead]

Achy Breaky Heart is proof that songs landing at #1 on the charts means absolutely fuck all about how good it actually is.

[JoiseyDTLovah]

^^^  Billy Ray reportedly gave his wife an itchy twitchy twat after bringing home STDs from the tour.

[Dark Castle]

Oh please. That's your response? LOL
Cause will all know pop music and number 1 hits equate to great music right.

Not necessarily, but if a song goes to number 1, by definition, it is NOT a weak pop song, as you called it.  Throwing in the "My 11-year old writes more interesting stuff on the keyboard" line, or whatever exactly it was that you said, just sounds silly.  Anyone can say that and be full of shit, so it means nothing. 

What is your favorite song?  Oh, yeah?  I wrote something more interesting on the guitar last night, and I don't even play!  But prove that I didn't. 

See what I mean?  Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?

I get it, I was disrespecting a weak song. My daughter is actually a VERY talented musician who plays violin, guitar, and keyboards. and all of them well. That's not saying she could write Jump, I'm just saying she comes up with great hooks on her board.
but please don't tell me that if a song goes to number 1 it can't be a weak song. That one I won't give ya. People have pretty bad taste in music.

People have shitty tastes in football teams as well 
Also if millions of people really like a song, that kind of points to the fact that it's not shitty.  You may not like it, but that's your musical tastes.

[cramx3]

I thought lowest price for tickets at MSG were 63 after charges? I paid 90 for a seat in the last row when they toured with Sammy.

[JoiseyDTLovah]

only ones left at MSG are 149.   I wouldn't pay that.  I paid 93.00 for great seats last time I saw VH, around 2004.    Considered it to be a great show.

[cramx3]

lol, no one wants to pay that price. Bummed though, i was considering going for the cheaper seats but wanted to hear the album first before deciding, i guess the decision has been made for me.

[chrisbDTM]

that seems like alot to see 3/4 of the original lineup, especially now that its the second time out for them

[cramx3]

I just checked from my phone, but the general sale doesnt start till saturday.

[King Postwhore]

only ones left at MSG are 149.   I wouldn't pay that.  I paid 93.00 for great seats last time I saw VH, around 2004.    Considered it to be a great show.

I paided $110 and I thought it was an ok show.  I don't know, it just didn't click with me like other shows I've seen by them.

[Vivace]

Oh please. That's your response? LOL
Cause will all know pop music and number 1 hits equate to great music right.

They see e trollin'

[Tick]

Oh please. That's your response? LOL
Cause will all know pop music and number 1 hits equate to great music right.

They see e trollin'

You tell me I'm smoking and that's fine. I respond and I'm trollin.  Don't want to sidetrack this thread any further. Sorry if I offended you.

Anyhow, the song is growing on me. Sometimes I think I expect too much from Van Halen. They have always pumped out these types of songs and I have always managed to crank them up and enjoy them for waht they are.

[El Barto]

The problem is that it doesn't sound like VH at all to me.  The song itself could,  as evidenced by the original,  but the guitar sound and lead and backing vocals all sound very generic.   

[King Postwhore]

The problem is that it doesn't sound like VH at all to me.  The song itself could,  as evidenced by the original,  but the guitar sound and lead and backing vocals all sound very generic.

It doesn't have the VH flare to it.  Mabye the rest of the album will so I'm keeping an open mind on it.

[BlobVanDam]

The problem is that it doesn't sound like VH at all to me.  The song itself could,  as evidenced by the original,  but the guitar sound and lead and backing vocals all sound very generic.

It doesn't have the VH flare to it.  Mabye the rest of the album will so I'm keeping an open mind on it.

It still sounds distinctly like VH to me, but it is definitely missing that extra "VH flare", as you put it. That doesn't make it a bad song, but it definitely leaves me expecting a bit more from the rest of the album.

Balance is completely missing that VH flare for me too, much more so than Tattoo, which is why I consider it one of VH's weakest albums. Hopefully this album doesn't have the same problem.

[King Postwhore]

Yeah.  When I think of the DVR era, I think of the "flare" I'm talking about.  Like I said I will buy this album.  I'm not saying Tattoo is bad but just lacks "Umph" to it.

[tjanuranus]

The song and video is quite depressing.

[cramx3]

Finally watched the video... very underwhelmed to say the least.  Even after reading what everyone said, I still thought maybe this song wasnt that bad, but no.  It is that bad.

[KevShmev]

Getting back to W&CF for a minute, Loss of Control..what a waste of an awesome EVH lead. That lead that kicks in at the 6-second mark is awesome as hell, but it is the only redeeming thing about the song.  The rest of the song is a total letdown. 

[bosk1]

Actually, I thought the song wasn't bad.  I haven't really been remotely a VH fan for quite some time.  But this actually sounds pretty true to Roth-era VH while having just enough of a modern edge to not sounded dated, IMO.  Not great, but not bad.


EDIT:  And by way of background, I was a fan since VHI.  I liked songs here and there from the other Roth albums, but didn't really like any albums as a whole after I.  Loved the Hagar albums, but for some reason lost interest by Balance.  III really turned me off and made me start to actively dislike the band.  Couple that with the fact that when I saw them on the Balance tour, they were incredibly boring, and the stuff that happened after with Sammy and Mike, etc....just not a fan.

[KevShmev]

I remember the highlight of the show we saw on the Balance tour was when they brought back and played 5150.  That was killer.

[bosk1]

I'm second guessing my memory for a second here.  It was the tour where they had the Tibetan monks come out and do the throat chanting for the intro.  That was the Balance tour, wasn't it?  I forget who the opener was, but that's because they were pretty forgettable.  Standard '90s pop-rock band whose name I can't remember.  Saw them at the Target Center in Minneapolis in '95.  Most boring rock show I've ever seen.  Ever.  Hands down.  Sammy was the only member who was slightly entertaining to watch.  Everyone else looked either exhausted, bored, or just unhappy to be there, and the music sounded phoned-in.

Saw Fear Factory, Flotsam & Jetsam, Korn, and Megadeth the day before that show, and that was a MUCH better show.

[KevShmev]

I don't remember that intro, but that sounds about right given that The Seventh Seal kicked off Balance and probably kicked off the shows on that tour.  I won't hold their lack of enthusiasm on stage against them considering EVH was recovering from a hip injury and Alex was recovering from hurting his neck. 

[Tick]

I'm second guessing my memory for a second here.  It was the tour where they had the Tibetan monks come out and do the throat chanting for the intro.  That was the Balance tour, wasn't it?  I forget who the opener was, but that's because they were pretty forgettable.  Standard '90s pop-rock band whose name I can't remember.  Saw them at the Target Center in Minneapolis in '95.  Most boring rock show I've ever seen.  Ever.  Hands down.  Sammy was the only member who was slightly entertaining to watch.  Everyone else looked either exhausted, bored, or just unhappy to be there, and the music sounded phoned-in.

I have seen Van Halen 3 times in my life. The first was 1980 on the Woman And Children First tour. Great show.
The next 2 times were both shows filmed in New Haven for the Live Without A Net Video tape. I thought those shows were electric and I thought the whole 5150 album was amazing. I couldn't stand Sammy Hagar before he joined VH. I was amazed at the chemistry they had on stage on that tour. They were better in those shows then the one I saw with DLR.

[chrisbDTM]

my parents were at the live without a net show too!

[MasterShakezula]

It's alright.  The music they did in the past is a lot better, but you can't have your poundcake and eat it, I suppose. 

[Tick]

my parents were at the live without a net show too!

What did they think of the first tour with Sammy? I loved it!

[chrisbDTM]

they are pretty big van hagar fans. i think my dad actually likes sammy better. i lean that way sometimes

[cramx3]

my parents were at the live without a net show too!

What did they think of the first tour with Sammy? I loved it!

Loved how they opened with there's only one way to rock, my favorite part of that DVD.