Album Reviews - V

Van Halen - The Best Of Both Worlds (2004 Warner Bros. Records)
Van-Halen.com

Disc 1
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

Disc 2
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:

Comprehensiveness


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

Vinnie Vincent Invasion - Vinnie Vincent Invasion (1986 Chrysalis Records)
Pyro Messiah (unofficial site)

1. Boyz Are Gonna Rock
2. Shoot You Full Of Love
3. No Substitute
4. Animal
5. Twisted
6. Do You Wanna Make Love
7. Back On The Streets
8. I Wanna Be Your Victim
9. Baby-O
10. Invasion

Derek's Review
This is definitely a cult album and is meant to be played on MAXIMUM VOLUME. Vinnie Vincent came back with a vengeance after working on Creatures Of The Night and Lick It Up with KISS. Though I don't think this album has sold much, it definitely has become a somewhat popular cult album among guitar freaks and 80s metalheads who dig the more obscure.

"Boyz Are Gonna Rock" kicks off the album and Vinnie never looks back. He definitely makes it known that this is his band, because his guitar is everywhere on it. Vocalist Robert Fleischman does an excellent job with his higher-pitched singing. Vinnie always tries to cram 10,000 guitar notes in every moment he can and that's what makes this album a classic for guitarists. "No Substitute" is a really cool ballad-type song that doesn't sound like a ballad at all. Actually, the song is really quite unique and I can't get enough of it. "Animal" picks up the pace of this frantic record with layered vocals opening this crazy, crazy song before Vinnie starts shredding out the main guitar riff. "Do You Wanna Make Love" is one of my favorites and a simple rocking song with a strong chorus. "Back On The Streets," which would later be demoed by Ace Frehley (but never released), is a slower, moving song. I'm not quite sure why Ace would want to cover it, but to each his own. "Baby-O" is another unique song that is a bit hard to describe. Perhaps the best comparison is to take "No Substitute" and speed it up. "Invasion" is the last track on the album and Vinnie makes the most of this opportunity by playing his guitar so fast it just sounds like a fire siren.

Overall, this is an amazingly fun album. Recently it was put back in print, so if you haven't picked it up yet, I would advise you to do so!

Derek's Picks: Baby-O, No Substitute, Boyz Are Gonna Rock

Derek's Rating

Look for the rest of Vinnie's excellent releases: All Systems Go, Euphoria (EP), and Archives Volume I: Speedball Jamm.