Review: Van Halen New Song 'Tattoo'
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 12:01AM Van Halen just released "Tattoo," the first single to their upcoming album A Different Kind of Truth. It's the first Van Halen single with David Lee Roth on vocals in 27 years.
"Tattoo" sounds exactly like Van Halen -- there's no disputing that classic guitar tone. And once Diamond Dave opens his mouth, you know exactly what you're going to get. After a couple of listens, I decided that "Tattoo" is a catchy song but something is missing. Sure, there's the nonsensical lyrics that are part of Roth's signature and there's an awesome (I mean REALLY awesome) guitar solo, but isn't that all standard for VH? I can't quite put my finger on what is missing but I'm pretty sure it's energy. Or enthusiasm. But it's something and I bet I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Now, I know a lot of you flipped out with glee on first listen and that's great. Instead of attacking me for my opinion, educate me on why "Tattoo" is fantastic.
Reader Comments (36)
I have high expectations for the new album. I fear that I may be expecting too much, but VH brings hope to the hard rock world.
This song is a major letdown. And I already had lowered expectations.
I feel bad about picking on Wolfie, but what everyone says is true - he is not an adequate replacement for Anthony. In this video, he appears as if he should be playing 3 sets a night at the local truck stop bar instead of in one of the best bands of all time. His uncle, Alex, appears as if he is playing with a soft jazz combo at the all you can eat restaurant at the mall.
Overall, this song (BUT ESPECIALLY THE CHORUS) sounds to me as if it is a Chris Kattan-era SNL parody.
sounds almost like a pre released version where the final mix hasn't happened yet. Alex really needs to drop that abysmal
muffled snare sound he's been using in the studio since the early 90s. The chorus is pretty weak, although I absolutely love
the lyric leading up to it, "housewife to bombshell in the time it took to get that new tattoo." I am holding out hope that the rest of the album will be better, but this song did very little to get me excited. frankly, just knowing that "she's the Woman" is finally getting a proper release is more exciting to me than this single.
But there's just no swagger in this song - it's just goofy, smiley Dave singing. And rather poorly at that.
Also, what's with all the complaints here about the lyrics? What was everyone expecting? It's not like old Van Halen songs are known for their intelligent lyrics or story telling - most of their classics are juvenile riffs on girls, cars, partying, and occasionally, jumping. Which, by the way, is exactly what I want when I listen to Van Halen.
I like it!! I closed my eys and what I hear is a laid back groove with Dave's classic voice over Eddies monster guitar tone...
Reminds me of and the cradle will rock...
I think I actually understand the lyrics I guess I am wired wrong..
Check out this old (& by old, I mean pre-1st album) Van Halen song, "DOWN IN FLAMES". See if you hear the similarities.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kCj0VfD22o
With this, "She's The Woman" & "Bullethead" all being old leftovers from the club days, it tells me than what's passing for Van Halen in 2012 is pumping a dry well in the songwriting department. I'm gonna pass.
VH '77 "Bullethead" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZosgcifUILE
I personally don't mind that Eddie and David decided to release some old songs that had never been released in the past. It's part of the van halen history and I don't think that tracks were left-offs from any recording session since they used some on tour. Secondly I think that some fans will never be satisfied. If VH had decided to release brand new songs many would complain that the new material could not be compared with the band's glorydays. I think they played it safe and decided that the fans would be satisfied with genuine Van Halen material from the golden era.
As to the whole attitude, let's face it they are pushing 60 and minus the drugs and the alcohol being happy all the time is really tough. And come to think of it there is not one band that has sobered up and managed to keep the atitude of the past.
Personally I think that each band needs an excuse to do a world tour. This excuse is either new material or a farewell tour. And I don't think that anyone of us would like to see Van Halen calling it quits. Twisted sister tried to be honest to the fans and they never released a new album because they knew it would be sub par and they still toured for no reason and I don't think that it worked for them.
I think that it is awesome that we have the chance to become witnesses of a new Van Halen release with DLR on vocals because let's face it everyone of us wanted to see it happen. In addition it's very good to see Eddie all cleaned up and ready to roll because he has so much more to offer to us as fans and to us as musicians. I am pretty sure he still has many aces up his sleeve. So let's be thankful that Van Halen have decided to make a new start.
As for Michael Anthony, I don't miss him. Fans were always complaining what a goofball DLR was but I think MA was a close second. As for his contribution I think it's rather questionable. He's a friggin' bass player, his job is quite simple and MA was never a Billy Sheehan. Wolfgang does a good job and I am not being a fanboy here his job is simple and he is nailing it. MA is being missed as part of the history of VH nothing more and nothing less.
I apologize for the lengthy post but I think I had to share with everyone my thoughts.