Even Van Halen's most dedicated fans admit that the band's progression from pow to plod with a recent plateau at pedestrian has been disappointing. Exploding from the starting gate with Van Halen in 1978, the original group of classically-trai...more Even Van Halen's most dedicated fans admit that the band's progression from pow to plod with a recent plateau at pedestrian has been disappointing. Exploding from the starting gate with Van Halen in 1978, the original group of classically-trained Eddie and Alex, plus David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony produced a truly monster rock/metal/party album that had fans and critics smelling Led Zeppelin. Van Halen II followed the next year, falling a bit short due to the 'lightning doesn't strike twice' factor, and other solid releases continued almost annually until the watershed 1984. 1984 was a breakthrough in the band's sound, featuring really good melodies with a pop flair, and VH1 video releases complemented market outreach. Roth left the band by mutual consent around this time, and his replacement, Sammy Hagar, helped deliver two more hit albums including OU812. In a case of "can't live with him, can't live without him" Part II, however, Eddie and Hagar had a falling out. Roth returned, Roth left, new albums came and went and Van Halen III was released in '98 to a tepid response that makes 'o.k.' sound good. Hope springs eternal, however, and Van Halen has most recently staged a North American tour with David Lee Roth in tow. The future, apparently, holds endless possibilities....less |
