tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36273873.post6555959998192459429..comments2024-03-16T07:11:09.270-04:00Comments on Dark Forces Swing Blind Punches: The grease in the gears: (Alex) Van Halen, 2012Hankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995158278551531136noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36273873.post-40267388981098953782012-02-22T23:57:10.956-05:002012-02-22T23:57:10.956-05:00Man, we should've had a VH sitdown years ago. ...Man, we should've had a VH sitdown years ago. I hope you're going through the back catalogue. The sleepers are "Women and Children First" and "Fair Warning". Both killer. Like you said, the apparent ease of their execution can make the product seem slight, but there is so much subtle and really masterful musicianship going on. And that DEFINITELY includes DLR. His autobiography "Crazy From the Heat" is a great read and really illuminates his almost obsessive interest in all things related to performance. That guy knew exactly what he was doing. He was very deliberate in his semi-self-mocking, post vaudville, post-Plant sex god routine, with a deep historical knowledge to back it up. He also was the guy in the band studying DIY pyrotechnics, parachuting and an assortment of other gig-enhancing spectacles. Not to mention just the sheer technical and stylistic range of his voice. Peeps need to stop hating on DLR man! He brought it. I could also go on and on about EVH but I'll just say that even with all the speed and tapping/whammy tricks, there's always a very strong sense of phrasing to his solos and parts. VH!!!evanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12607614651261832762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36273873.post-48439744388382772322012-02-15T02:11:37.403-05:002012-02-15T02:11:37.403-05:00Band sounds un-f'n-believable. Alex is a beast...Band sounds un-f'n-believable. Alex is a beast, still. What an underrated drummer. He's the motor of this band, no doubt. And Ed is in his best form in decades. Props to Wolf, he buries MA...I've always liked MA, but the kid plays circles around him.<br />Dave, though, sounds REALLY bad. He's one of my favorite singers, and he did a great job on the new record. But his live chops seem shot, @ least here.van halen concerts tickets 2012http://www.thebigtickets.com/concerts-event-tickets/pop-rock/van-halen-ticketsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36273873.post-26172707061932978922012-02-14T11:56:00.883-05:002012-02-14T11:56:00.883-05:00I've always liked, but never loved, VH. As a g...I've always liked, but never loved, VH. As a guitar player myself the EVH influence is as impossible to avoid as Hendrix. This album smokes in a way that earlier albums only hinted at. Maybe it's just the modern production, but I am blown away by the weight this album has. The lesser tunes still have plenty to make you smile. Hell, I don't even skip "tattoo".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com