For compilations, our rating scale is going to work a little differently. Instead of one rating, there are going to be three. All three scores will then be averaged (and rounded as we see fit) for an overall rating.
The three categories:
*If this category does not apply to a particular compilation, only the first two categories will be averaged into the overall rating.
1. Bad Motor Scooter
Sammy Hagar – The Essential Red Collection (2004 Hip-O Records)
RedRocker.com
2. Thinking Of You (pre-Capitol demo)
3. Call My Name (pre-Capitol demo)
4. Red
5. I've Done Everything For You (studio version B-side)
6. Heavy Metal
7. I'll Fall In Love Again
8. There's Only One Way To Rock
9. Fast Times At Ridgemont High (from Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack)
10. Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy
11. Two Sides Of Love
12. I Can't Drive 55
13. The Girl Gets Around (from Footloose soundtrack)
14. Winner Takes It All (from Over The Top soundtrack)
15. Give To Live
16. Eagles Fly
17. High Hopes
18. Little White Lie
19. Marching To Mars
20. Mas Tequila
Derek's Review
Sammy Hagar has had two other compilation albums released in the past, 1992's The Best Of Sammy Hagar, which covered only his Capitol Years, and 1994's Unboxed, which covered his much more popular Geffen years. Now this new compilation, for the first time, covers songs from both labels (though heavily favoring the Geffen years), and also goes back to his first band, Montrose. There are two other very important reasons that this compilation has been released. First, Sammy Hagar has rejoined Van Halen, and their new compilation, The Best Of Both Worlds, has just been released. The second reason this should be released is that Sammy Hagar has put out an additional four albums since his last compilation album.
I will sum up some of the highlights for you. Since this is a compilation album from a very successful artist, going through most of the tracks that are familiar to casual rock fans is quite pointless. However, there are a few tracks that should be mentioned.
First off, it's great to hear "Bad Motor Scooter" from Montrose. Fans of Sammy Hagar that have no idea who Montrose is need to go buy their first album, because it is a killer record.
"Thinking Of You" sounds exactly like his Capitol-era material. The song has a driving groove with some good guitar work. The sound is quite excellent, considering it's a demo. "Call My Name" sounds the more commercial out of the two songs. Both of these songs are certainly good and above demo quality. Nothing exceptional, but a nice addition.
The next song I want to talk about is "Red." Though Hagar shies away from the color a bit now, everyone knows that Hagar is the "Red" Rocker for good reason. This song was rightfully included. "I've Done Everything For You" is extremely underrated. This song was a B-side on his "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of A Bay" single, and has since been covered by Rick Springfield on his popular Working Class Dog album. This is a great song, and I'm glad it was included.
It's great that Hagar decided to include his songs from soundtracks, because they are certainly fine songs.
Hagar's Geffen material is covered well. I knew that they would not cover all his hits and best songs, especially on a single disc that is sharing space with his Capitol-era material. They do a decent job here.
From Hagar's four albums after departing Van Halen, they have chosen three tracks. "Mas Tequila" and "Little White Lie" are a must, because they were considerable hits for Sammy. The next track they decided to include is "Marching To Mars," which is a song I personally love, yet I don't quite understand why they chose that one, when his latest single did not do poorly (the excellent "Things've Changed"). Nevertheless, it adds a great flavor to this album.
This album really appeals to every type of fan Sammy Hagar has, which is extremely important. It will appeal to the casual listener who does not own all of Sammy Hagar's albums and perhaps likes his recent hit "Mas Tequila." This also appeals to the hardcore Sammy fans by offering them two previously unreleased tracks ("Thinking Of You" and "Call My Name"), as well as three songs from various soundtracks. This will perhaps also appeal to the Van Hagar fan who has never indulged in Sammy's solo career, or the young kid who saw Van Halen for the first time during their most recent tour and is now interested.
This is put together quite nicely and Sammy had input over the song selection, which I think really helped this album out. Though I think Sammy could have had an extremely excellent double disc compilation come out, for a single disc, this is done nicely. The liner notes are a nice touch as well. They decided to make use of 79 minutes on an 80 minute CD. God bless 'em for that.
Derek's Rating:
This covers his entire career and does so accurately for a single disc.
Packaging
Good liner notes that let the listener know where the songs are from, plenty of pictures, and a nice red cover.
New/rare material
Nice inclusion of a B-side, plenty of soundtrack material, and two unreleased songs!
Overall Rating
Disc 1
Disc 2
Van Halen - The Best Of Both Worlds (2004 Warner Bros. Records)
Van-Halen.com
1. Eruption
2. It's About Time
3. Up For Breakfast
4. Learning To See
5. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
6. Finish What Ya Started
7. You Really Got Me
8. Dreams
9. Hot For Teacher
10. Poundcake
11. And The Cradle Will Rock...
12. Black And Blue
13. Jump
14. Top Of The World
15. (Oh) Pretty Woman
16. Love Walks In
17. Beautiful Girls
18. Can't Stop Lovin' You
19. Unchained
1. Panama
2. Best Of Both Worlds
3. Jamie's Cryin'
4. Runaround
5. I'll Wait
6. Why Can't This Be Love
7. Runnin' With The Devil
8. When It's Love
9. Dancing In The Street
10. Not Enough
11. Feels So Good
12. Right Now
13. Everybody Wants Some!!
14. Dance The Night Away
15. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love (from Live: Right Here, Right Now)
16. Panama (from Live: Right Here, Right Now)
17. Jump (from Live: Right Here, Right Now)
Mike's Review
Van Halen is one of the greatest bands of all time. They have one of the most influential guitarists in history. They've showcased two of rock's most charismatic frontmen. They've had one of the most successful careers out of any rock band in their 26+ year history (despite confusion and hiatus during recent years). They are heralded by millions around the world. Quite simply, Van Halen are legends. And a legendary band deserves a compilation that lives up to their status. Unfortunately, The Best Of Both Worlds falls slightly short of that goal. However, it is very good, and much better than 1996's insulting 67 minute single disc Best Of Volume 1.
For starters, The Best Of Both Worlds is a two disc set, and each disc is pretty full. The song selection and track listing need some work, however. I was wary of the mingled order at first, and I still would have gone chronologically, but I will admit it fits the theme. Once again, "Eruption" and "You Really Got Me" are cruelly separated, but at least the latter makes an appearance this time, unlike on Best Of Volume 1. Inexplicably, the Roth-era album Fair Warning (a favorite of both fans and Eddie Van Halen himself) is screwed over, represented only by "Unchained." Of course, that is one of the band's best songs ever, but "Mean Street" and/or "So This Is Love?" should have been included as well, certainly at least one of them in favor of the oddly-appearing "Black And Blue" from the Hagar-era album OU812. And so begins the blatant favoritism towards Hagar on this release. Sure, he's now back in the band, but a truly equal compilation would have been nice. In addition to the aforementioned omission, three live cuts of the Hagar-era band performing Roth-era songs (which were already released on their live album Live: Right Here, Right Now, mind you) make an unwanted and unnecessary appearance: "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," "Panama," and "Jump." The space used for these songs could have and should have been used for either unreleased live material with Roth in the band (none has ever been made available), more Roth-era songs that should have been included to begin with, or at least Hagar-era deep cuts. Moving away from both Roth and Hagar for a moment, it should be noted that no songs with Gary Cherone from Van Halen III are included. In fact, there is no mention of Cherone or that album anywhere. The title The Best Of Both Worlds may represent primarily Roth and Hagar, but an inclusion of at least the decent Cherone-era song "Without You" would have made this package a complete representation of the band. And although these discs were well-packed, I'm sure the tracks could have been arranged to squeeze in the brief "Intruder" and/or "Happy Trails."
Blithely, there are actual song errors present on this relase. "Finish What Ya Started" ends abruptly instead of fading out. The initial explanation was that Ed was responsible for overseeing the tracks and that he had been very busy and missed it. Then a contradicting explanation stated that the band chose to include the original mix sans-fadeout as a joke about the song's title. Personally, I believe the first, since Ed is only human (despite his superhuman skills), but someone at Warner Bros. should have been responsible for checking the final product. The second error is the inclusion of the instrumental "Strung Out" as part of "Not Enough." I suppose here it could be argued that "Strung Out" was intended to be the song's intro, but I rule that out because they originally appeared separately on Balance.
As for the three new songs ("It's About Time," "Up For Breakfast," and "Learning To See"), they aren't instant classics, but they are pretty cool tunes that really grow on you. "It's About Time" would have benefited from ditching its nu-metal intro, but it turns into a pounding rocker about the band finally getting back on track. The beginning of "Up For Breakfast" is the lovechild of "Why Can't This Be Love" and "Fire In The Hole" (yes, the latter is indeed a song from the Cherone-fronted Van Halen III). The song then becomes a funky rock number with hilarious sexual food lyrics. I know many people have complained about these lyrics, but I think it's a refreshing return to Van Halen's humor that has been sorely missing for years. "Learning To See" takes a moment to slow things down, and sounds like something that could have appeared on one of Hagar's recent solo albums, perhaps Ten 13.
This is packaged in a digipak, something I'm rather not fond of. But it isn't the worst digipak I've seen, at least it still includes a proper holding for each disc and a booklet. However, the inside of the packaging is mostly all black and white, and only includes two pictures of the band, both current. The liner notes aren't bad, except for the total lack of any information in between Hagar's departure and return. And, in the discography, Van Halen III is nowhere to be found (as mentioned earlier).
The Best Of Both Worlds makes an excellent gift or introduction to the band, and the new songs are very enjoyable for old and new fans alike. If this is the only Van Halen you own, and you really enjoy it, keep in mind that there's still a substantial amount of quality material that you'd probably be interested in. Overall, this compilation has the right idea, but a little more care and attention would have made a "world" of difference.
Mike's Rating:
Many great songs are included, but omissions, errors, and poor choices leave their mark.
Packaging
A jewel case would have been preferred, a couple more lines in the notes would be nice, and more colors and photos, please.
New/rare material
The new songs are pretty smokin' and are the best part of this bad boy!
Overall Rating
All reviews Copyright © 2004 Derek R. Gasiorek and Michael K. Walsh. All rights reserved.
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