Disco de Van Halen: “Best of Volume I”

Descripción (en inglés) :

Van Halen: David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Alex Van Halen. Producers: Ted Templeman, Van Halen, Mick Jones, Donn Landee, Andy Johns, Bruce Fairbairn, Glenn Ballard. Engineers: Donn Landee, Erwin Musper. Digitally remastered by Chris Bellman (Bernie Grundman Studios, Los Angeles, California). Almost evenly split between tracks that feature glammy showman David Lee Roth and those that feature earthy screecher Sammy Hagar, BEST OF VOLUME I seems designed to let this pioneering hard-rock band's fans compare and contrast between its two frontmen. As if to drive the exercise home, BEST OF features three tunes cut in '96--two of them with Roth, who had been estranged from the band since 1985, and one with Hagar ("Humans Being," originally released on the soundtrack to TWISTER). Otherwise, BEST OF presents the hits in chronological order, beginning with the unadorned, aggressive sound of the early Roth material. Powered by guitarist Eddie Van Halen's hammer-on notes and orchestral pyrotechnics, and lightened up by Roth's used-car-salesman-on-a-bender persona, "Ain't Talkin 'Bout Love" and "Runnin' With The Devil" are as close to pure, perfect hard rock as anyone is ever likely to come. The early '80s found the band incorporating synthesizers (played by Eddie) and a pop sensibility, resulting in megahits like "Jump." Things changed again when Hagar replaced Roth and took the band further from its roots, toward an expansive new sound with broader new arrangements, heard here in such pop hits as "Dreams" and "Right Now." Refusing to tip the balance toward either David Lee diehards or Sammy-come-latelys, BEST OF contains enough Van Halen milestones to keep anyone satisfied.

Considering the lumpsome of both memorable hits and legendary album cuts, it's surprising that it took 18 years and 10 studio albums before Van Halen even though about releasing a greatest hits compilation. What's even more surprising and surely diisapointing to many is after all of that they decided to m]slim their catalogue to the point of ridiculousness in order to fit it on one C.D. For hardcore fans Best Of Volume I is rather disposible with the exception of the two new reunion tracks with legendary frontman David Lee Roth. "Can't Get This Stuff No More" is only average but the long and menacing "Me Wise Magic" is worth a few listens. The problem with Best Of Volume I is that even beginners to Van Halen would be equally well served by introducing them to hard rock staples like the bands debut, 1984 and 5150. There are many excellent tracks included starting in chronilogically order with Eddie's showcase "Eruption", "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love" and "Runnin' With The Devil". By the end of the Roth years, major hits like "Jump" and "Panama" are featured. The Sammy Hagar era roars in with huge hits like "Why Can't This Be Love", "Dreams" and "When It's Love". But including "Humans Being" from the Twister soundtrack is unessecary considering how many great tunes are missing. Tip for all, if you know Van Halen or simply have listened to rock radio over the past 20+ years, stick to the original albums.

This is the album that pretty much sealed Sammy Hagar's fate. He wanted to do a new album and when this was released, he'd had enough and left. Most of the songs on this album are classics, especially the old Roth-era tunes. "Eruption" starts it off, the crazy guitar work of the young Eddie Van Halen that made him a guitar god. Still great after all these years. "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" is next, an excellent tune from their self-titled debut. "Runnin' With the Devil" follows, also from the first album. More mature than many of Van Halen's early songs. "Panama" is here too, a cool song that still gets a lot of radio play. There are also a few Hagar-era songs, four of them being love songs ("Why Can't This Be Love" "Dreams" "When It's Love" and "Can't Stop Lovin' You"). Also included is "Humans Being" the excellent song from the "Twister" soundtrack. Plus, there are two newly-recorded songs done with David Lee Roth that are...so-so. Nothing special, but nice to hear him again (he might be coming back for good. We'll see). There are many songs that could have been included that are better selections than those picked, but what are you gonna do? This is o.k. for fans that have most of their stuff, but much better for a first time listener. This album is a blast and will leave you wanting more!

I have to say that there are some terrific songs on this album and it makes for a great introduction to the two major eras of Van Halen. Some of my all time favorite VH songs are on here, like "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love", "Dance The Night Away", "Unchained", "Panama", "Why Can't This Be Love", "When It's Love" and "Poundcake". I also love "Runnin' With The Devil" but my cd has the [messed] up version that accidently made it onto early presses of this cd. The two new Roth songs are okay but they just don't stand a chance when compared to their earlier output with Roth.

I agree with just about all the other reviewers that there were some essential tracks that were left off. This collection just isn't complete without such gems as "You Really Got Me", "Jamie's Cryin'", "Beautiful Girls", "Hot For Teacher", "Finish What Ya Started", "Best Of Both Worlds" and "Runaround". A career spanning 2-disk anthology set or even a box set would be in order now that the band seems to be on hold permanently.

From "Runnin' with the Devil" to "Me Wise Magic", Van Halen has rocked on for two decades. From their beginning to the mid-80's, Diamond David Lee Roth led Van Halen with a barrage of fun, exciting party music that absolutely rocks, such as "Panama" and "Jump". What disappoints me most is how little credit Sammy Hagar got when he took over lead vocals in 1984. I feel Van Halen did its best work when Hagar was in control. Their melody was awesome, and the lyrics weren't just about sex and women. "Dreams" and "When It's Love" are terrific, melodic rock songs that I really enjoy listening to. Hagar's vocals were much better than Roth's, with much more range and power. Nevertheless, I am huge fan of both Roth's Van Halen and Hagar's Van Halen. Unfortunately, they went down the crapper with their latest album, which featured neither of these vocalists.


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