Two former Van Halen singers have been sharing their opinions on the band’s new album, “A Different Kind Of Truth,” with opposite results.
Now with Chickenfoot, Sammy Hagar has been slamming every aspect of the group’s efforts to move forward without him, seemingly still reeling and angered over his 1996 and 2004 splits with the Van Halen brothers.
At the other end of the spectrum is Gary Cherone, of both Extreme and Hurtsmile, who recorded 1998’s “Van Halen III” with the group and performed on tour with them.
"This record, for me, it's the best thing since ‘Fair Warning,’" Cherone tells the Boston Phoenix. "[First single] 'Tattoo' is the only misstep. You wait 28 years to hear Van Halen, and in the context of the record, it's not the best song by far. Off the top of my head, I'm thinkin' of 'China Town,' if that was the first thing you heard, or 'As Is,' or 'Honeybabysweetiedoll.' Any of those three? People would've been like, 'Are you f**king kidding me?' "
"The starting point [for A Different Kind of Truth] was the old demos," says Gary, "but to me, a riff's a riff. Eddie's added new things to it — this stuff is on fire. Of course you miss [ousted bassist Michael Anthony]; he was one of the four food groups. But Wolfie's no slouch. Alex is a machine, and Eddie is playing better than he's ever played. I love the record. It's kind of inspiring, it's like the king just took back his crown."
Van Halen Van Halen – She’s The Woman
Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, PA – March 5, 2012
See also:
Sammy Hagar continues to slam the new Van Halen
Classic Van Halen featured on In The Studio this week
VIDEO: Meet Eddie Van Halen’s dog