Van Halen, 'Blood and Fire' -- Song Preview
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 12:01AM The other day, Van Halen released a snippet of another new song for their upcoming album A Different Kind of Truth. The preview is about 90 seconds of the track "Blood and Fire." From the little I've heard, I think "Blood and Fire" will be a much better tune than "Tattoo."
The music for "Blood and Fire" almost sounds like it could fit on OU812 but then David Lee Roth starts singing and I'm reminded that Sammy Hagar is gone and we're back to VH1. This isn't a bad thing or a judgement: just that maybe the music and the eras don't mix. I guess I need to hear the whole song to really judge but even this 90 seconds of new music is getting me more excited for Feb. 7 and the official album release. What do you think of the song preview?
Reader Comments (21)
No offense to Wolf, but his abilities are at a garage band level, while Mike Anthony was a master in the bottom end of a rhythm section. And that's not even what made him unreplaceable. His distinctive BACKING VOCALS. No Mikey, no Van Halen. Listen to this...It's from before their 1st album came out... never more was it so obvious how essential Michael Anthony & his vocals were.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PVHCNlhDRs
I miss Anthony but I'd rather have Roth back in the fold. We will know for sure if losing Anthony was worth the sacrifice and getting Roth back pays off on February 7th.
Commence countdown...
I can take or leave this song. The "Stay Frosty" preview is more intriguing to me. What with the "Ice Cream Man" lead-in and Dave meets Zep yelps (hoarsely, granted) segueing into . . . well, we will just have to wait until the full release won't we?
I love the way Ace combines the phrase "Ed is babysitting his kid" with the follow-up "No offense to Wolf" that is then rounded out by "his abilities are at a garage band level." Actually, you did mean offense to Wolf.
It would be the same if I were to say "I don't mean to nitpick your argument Ace, but . . . ." You get the point. Luckily, it doesn't matter (your jab or my observation or both).
If Van Halen wanted to get fans talking, then these leaks have done that. If they wanted to develop an overwhelmingly positive vibe, not so sure. But message boards do not a fan base make or represent, just a particular segment of that base and a host of others who decide to chime in because time and posting are free.
I guess I never appreciated Mike when he was around because, while I think it's pretty bad that Eddie turfed him and replaced him with his kid, I'm guessing I won't miss him a whole lot when I see the show. I feel bad for him. I think it's rotten the way he was treated but to me the big draws were always DLR (sorry Sammy) and Eddie. Alex next. Mike was always last on my list.
Sure I'd love it if they all got back together but I'll take this version of VHI over nothing.
As far as the new album is concerned, based on he advance song and previews, it is gonna ROCK!
I was hoping for some old school rock, but it obviously isn't there. I'll save my money for Chickenfoot this summer and maybe a trip to see Steel Panther.
Now y'all gotta see this is a train wreck. No you don't, sorry, but..
Wolfie the impetus for reuniteing? Then its his fault too. "Dad, please put Dave in VH so I can play bass" We all know Sammy would never if it were even possible (I know its not)sing for this band again without Mike on bass.
Said it before....new song and snippets mediocre, Kool n the F'in Gang opening?!?!, silver spoon in mouth bassist = train wreck.
Waste of $ guaranteed
As for this latest go round, I'm up in the air about ponying up about $250 for me and the little woman to go see what I know isn't going to come close to living up to what I witnessed on the Women And Children First and 1984 tours....(Somewhere in the Panama video my stoned ass lurks, as a lot of it was filmed in the Philly Spectrum, and I was in the 4th row) LOL
So what is the point? Are you shaming people who like the new stuff or might want to go to see the "train wreck" (you used that phrase twice for emphasis)? That seems like an odd way to spend one's time.
Not angry at all. Thank you for asking. I love debate. Read my post again, "Sorry, you don't have to see its a train wreck".
This is the comments section of Allison's blog. Comments can be positive, comments can be negative.
I stated my beliefs on the VH news, which usually is the intention of this section, unless compelled to respond to personal comments not representative of the topic.
HIM stated his beliefs on MY comments?.?.? Hmmmm Him. Angry? Hurt feelings?
Seems like an odd way to spend Him's time.
Enjoy your weekend. :)
As I wrote in my review of the 2007-2008 VH tour, 3/4 does not a true reunion make. Michael Anthony fell victim to the politics and ego-driven powerplays of rock and roll -- which is particularly sad in this case because he truly does offers the secret key ingredient to creating the classic VH magic.
As for their new music, Allyson is on-point with her assessment that in the case of "Blood and Fire," it's an unsuccessful marriage of the band's two eras. However, I do like "Tattoo." Hey, it ain't "Loss of Control," but it sure ain't "Me Wise Magic" either.
As a longtime fan, I'm excited about the new record and upcoming tour.
Why do I post? I like to comment on the news that Allyson brings to our attention. I also like to add to it sometimes. I did both of those things in my first post on this topic. But I also like to get to know other posters (such as Metalboy!) and get a sense--as best as you can when we are commenting anonymously--of where they are coming from, music- and comment-wise. That is why I commented on your comments. And we both did that Kixchix. You brought up Kook and the Gang. That wasn't mentioned in Allyson's post. But I thought the comment "Kool n the F'in Gang opening?!?!" sounded angry or at last energetic. So I added to what you said. A blog is somewhat organic, so each comment contributes to the overall narrative. In that way, both of us are similar.
I drew you out with my observations and I appreciate the response. Not angry at all that you would do that. In fact, I appreciate it. And I also appreciate you questioning how I spend my time since I questioned your use of your time.
I read Allyson's blog to relax and find out what is going on regarding the music I enjoy. When I reply, I try to be constructive, occasionally pointed, but never disrespectful and certainly never involved in invective for invective's sake. I just had the sense, after reading some of your posts, that you seem to be quite the polemical fireplug, burning down bridges with declarations made of kindling. If I got that wrong, then I got that wrong.
So let me apologize if I misinterpreted what you originally wrote: "Now y'all gotta see this is a train wreck. No you don't, sorry, but.." I didn't quite interpret that to mean what you explained it mean: "Sorry, you don't have to see its a train wreck." I guess I sometimes fail to read between the lines. The first line sounded more like a taunt; the second more like respect for different opinions. I'll go with the second interpretation from now on since that is the last one you wrote.
But enough of all that. I've wasted what is left of this weekend. Enjoy yours. I will enjoy mine.