They were shitting on the album, bit stupid to have them on to talk about an album they obviously don't like and then upload it as part of a series for VH fans....
Wolfgang Van Halen just posted a photo of himself with Dave Grohl and Josh Freese to social media. So I did a google search on Josh to see what he has been up to and this old article from 1991 came up regarding Dweezil on the “Confessions” tour. Thought you guys would dig. Didn’t know where to post this but here it is…very tangentially related to VH just by virtue of how I got to it https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-05-ca-1828-story.html
The newer Tortex picks are cool. They help when it comes to pinch harmonics. But, when it comes to playing rhythm parts, you have to REALLY hit the strings harder to get those dynamics. I have been using Steve Vai's picks lately and those have a great balance to them.
To the best of my knowledge, the Fender pick material hasn’t changed. There was a brief period around 1955 when real tortoise shell was used to make the brown tortoise colored picks, but I believe it’s just the same old celluloid material and as far as I know the thickness has remained to within negligible tolerances.
Following up on some of the comments here, it's no surprise that VH 3 was different and surprising to so many. But, over time, as I was a fan of it when it first came out, there are so many experiences to draw from that it would be wrong to exclude of all of them ( and that includes Blues' and James' feelings ). Some laughed at it, some thought it was genius. For me, I liked it but as the album grew on me, the more I saw where Edward was going for the MUSIC. And, in some cases, the critics of the album missed the point of the music while the fans grew to like things that were darker than most people realize ( the recent Chris Gill/Brad Tolinsky EVH book explores the emotional terrority Edward was dealing with when VH 3 was being made-pretty insightful stuff ).
In some ways, Edward and Frank Zappa were so similar in terms of the alignment of making music for personal reasons: If you liked it and no one else cared for it, then it was good. I can't tell you how many people laughed at me when I used to play " St. Etienne " in my car stereo, hearing my friends state that it " sounded like a beginning guitar player not playing right " whereas I heard a composer exploring new sonic territory in a deeper way. And, truth being told here, most folks simply don't have a musical education: It's either good or bad for these folks. But, for those who like to explore new musical sounds with a large amount of musical knowledge, there is no such thing as good or bad. VH 3 fits into that last category. I truly believe that if more folks explore the album in deeper detail, there is A LOT of grand musical information there ( the overdubs to " From Afar " to the solo/ rhythm parts to " Dirty Water Dog " are just AMAZING ).
I enjoy Blues' and James' feelings because they weren't that much different to the feelings I heard when I first listened to VH 3 ( let alone listening to Frank's music ). In fact, VH 3 isn't the first time Edward caused people to scratch their heads. In 1988, after OU812 came out, guitarist Robben Ford was asked what he thought of " Finish What You Started " in a 1990 Guitar For The Practicing Musician Magazine issue ( they used to have a spot where artists were asked what their thoughts were on a select group of tracks ). Ford's reaction wasn't too dissimilar to Blues' and James' reactions, as I recall ( Ford said something to the effect that his idea of Van Halen was loud guitar playing via " Eruption " and was surprised with the 1988 track ).
I find it's important to include all feelings to any music because it's all part of the human processing experience of hearing/seeing something DIFFERENT. However, if Blues and James take some more time with VH 3, I'll bet they'll change their minds.
Okay that was one way to go… To be honest, done this way, I would have rather skipped the VHIII episode altogether. What’s the point of all the ridicule? This almost makes me feel stupid for liking the album. I can understand that it disappointed the Roth-era fans who had come to idolize Eddie’s early approach and output, but hey, cut your losses and move on. No need for all the negativity. Come on, comparing the opening of the YTTD solo to drunken uncle on stage? I for one liked the gradual shift in Edwards solo-style towards more bluesy melodic lines away from the singularly unique jazzy/beboppy phrasing of his earlier years - which I also absolutely love! Clearly the album is not perfect and suffers greatly from the absence of a strong independent producer, but it holds some very inspired material, at least in my view. Dirty Water Dog, Once and How Many Say I are actually among my all-time favorite VH tracks. It’s pretty condescending to say it’s “sad” that “he thinks he is at his creative peak” when “his creativity is not at his peak right now”, and that “that’s when you go to therapy”. Wow. In reality, according to his interviews, this album actually was the result of a creative burst following therapy. Indeed, it’s different, it's dark and it’s all over the place. Clearly too much so for some. Oh well, at least we now have some more insight as to why many early EVH fans really don’t (want to) like this album.
I would much rather have had a podcast featuring Gary Cherone, who may not be a guitarist, but would have offered a more interesting take on (the making of) the album.
Blues and James: "In all fairness, IN ALL FAIRNESS, (I mean we haven't really listened to this album all the way through, and I have an attitude), this could have been a great 20 minutes")
Ok, I was about to post about how brilliant the episode on Balance was and then logged into see this was really excited at first, especially such high exalted players, but this feels like all of you set the phasers to destroy, not mono, and, even with objective comments that are insightful, as soon as an audio clip is played, it's basically attacked, especially out of context, without letting the song breathe. This is plays like a big FUCK YOU to this album and feels like where this series jumps the shark. I don't love this album but it doesn't deserve this thrashing.
I agree VHIII doesn't come close to the rest of VH discography. Christopher L mentioned this downfall maybe a result from the lack of leadership and that's a valid hypothesis. In my opinion I think Eddie tried to lead the project and avoid any source of conflict - do everything his own way. I remember Freddie Mercury saying the secret of Queen's quality and success was conflict and sometimes he provoked the other members to try to extract the best from them. Of course conflict also has a lot of disadvantages and not everyone can handle it for too long and maybe that's why Eddie tried to do everything his own way on this album.
In my opinion, "A Year to the Day" is the best track of the album and got a bit overlooked on this episode. The guitar parts are incredible and is the only track I think Cherone is at home.
Very happy to have a couple of episodes to listen to. Amsterdam and Aftershock are badass. Balance gets overlooked in the VH catalog, but personally I like it better than OU812. The glaring differences between Balance and VHIII make it clear that EVH was maybe struggling with some demons…and possibly some hearing loss. Balance was clean and shiny while VHIII is dark and muddy. Then compare to ADKOT where the fire was back with a vengeance…despite Roth’s shoddy vocals. VHIII is an obvious misstep … most bands have them. Again DZ thank you for this project. I enjoy it very much. Anxious for the next episode.
Dweezil, I see both sides of the statement Matt made about the VHIII album. I agree that some of the songs could have gone longer than a 7-minute segment BUT I appreciate your willingness to change it up.
Matt's comment about "Incoherent babble" hits home on this album. I think this would have been the perfect Eddie solo album and everyone would have been ok with his statement. Sadly, I think management pushed the idea that another singer could come in and do the same thing Sammy did. Edward WAS NOT in a good place.
95 AmBulance tour which ends in early November(hip surgery and potentially drifting back to drugs and alcohol)
96 The controversy of Sammy and Ed butting heads in early Jan/Feb. "Remember, Humna's Being is the song that broke the camel's back for the band. Ray Danniels convinces Edward and Alex to do the Twister music soundtrack AND include a Van Halen track and Sammy was exhausted. They make a video for Human's Being and Don't even get along on set. Watch the video and you can tell they are not happy even Edward doesn't smile but rather smirk almost. In June they announced a separation from Hagar. Danniels/Warner Brothers bring up the idea of DLR after convincing them to do a greatest hits album and they work on that with DLR. September 4 is the MTV debacle in NYC which in hindsight should not have been done because it was TOO CLOSE to the separation from Hagar. (It's akin to being married, divorcing, remarrying, and then divorcing your second wife only to turn immediately around and hang out with your first wife and proclaim your love) This sent them down a bad path.
97 Danniels turns around and needs a singer since he has lost both and turns to his band Extreme. He forces the third marriage all while Edward also is still battling health and anxiety issues and alcohol goes in and out. I believe forced sobriety could be a term used for him in 1997. Danniels job from WB is to refocus Edward and convince him Gary is a great partner. Alex is now stuck with Danniels because he played his hand and it has ended in disaster but can't because of Danniels in his family. (Dweezil, certainly correct me if I am wrong about any of this)
1998 for this tour you convince Edward to play more of the early Van Halen because there was such a high of seeing DLR at the music awards and prop EVH up with the marketing of "Who the Fuck is EVH?" Counter all of this with his flame out of the album sets EVH back YEARS if not a decade.
1999 make another album and it sounds the same as VHIII and suddenly WB wants nothing to do with them beyond previous albums. Fallout is horrible and EVH retreats to 5150 and begins a downfall. 2000 Nothing
2001 Nothing
2002 Nothing 2003 Glen Ballard circles back around to help keep EVH on target for 3 new songs for WB getting them to do another GH only this time you have Sammy playing 3 songs. 2004 Reunion debacle tour where EVH begins HEAVILY drinking and is sloppy and unfocused. Danniels needs to blame someone for all of this and he decides to convince Alex that Michael Anthony is the problem because he hangs with Sammy. 2005 Nothing (Is there EVH does the porn films)
2006 Nothing but Michael Ninn-directed adult film Sacred Sin 2007 Get DLR back and bring Wolfgang in to tour to make some money but ultimately "health issues" sideline this again. 2008 Tour continues and Ed goes to rehab for 6 weeks
2009/2010/2011 Recording and creating for ADKOT
All of this to say, Edward did not have a lot of self-esteem. Greg Renoff's book documents this over and over. Ted Templeman, for all the bad press, was able to channel EVH and stay focused. EVH ultimately didn't like nor understand what Ted did. VHIII is THE example of a band without a leader. It's Raw, it's different, and as Blues said, is incohesive.
Got a chance to listen to both episodes on the plane.
The Balance one is great and Andy Wood is an absolute monster player with an infectious energy for this period of EVH. Not only does he nail the tone but also the playing and the impromptu Cliffs of Dover was incredible. While not one of my favorite VH albums, it did make me go back and listen.
The VHIII one was bittersweet. The production is a mess and I have to believe Eddie's mental state was not good. There is a great episode on Matt Pinfield discussing the album in its entirety which is worth a watch.
Michael Anthony is uncomfortable as is Gary throughout the whole episode though interestingly, it seems like Eddie put Music to the words versus the other way around which is what I would have believed. Without You, One I Want and Fire in the Hole could have been much better but the production is terrible. Gary (who I absolutely love in Extreme) is screaming way too much through the whole album. I remember being so pumped when Gary joined but I agree with your guests that this was a letdown with a lack of focus.
I'm so glad they came back with Me Wise Magic and A Different Kind of Truth which is a really great album and shows that when Eddie is focused and sober, he is untouchable musically and creatively.
in reference to III, I remember reading an interview that coincided with the release and Ed seemed to be very happy with a newfound sobriety, being in therapy and having a new love.
all things mentioned during From Afar, by y’all.
I always joked that I was one of 11 who liked this record. I think it was all about the timing of hearing it, which is so important to the music we like. I’m in agreement with all the points you bring up about production and and meander and lack of focus, but I’ve listened to it so much I still like it.
I've been looking forward to the VHIII episode since I subscribed here. What a let down. Suddenly there is a 7 minute time limit to discuss each song? And you get two guys that don't like the album, didn't want to talk about it, haven't listened to it more than once in 24 years, and get them judge each song based on the intro? Every other episode has been excellent. WTF happened to make you give up on this project?
This album has always been a challenge for Van Halen fans. No matter how the album is approached there are some obstacles to overcome. The music is not as familiar to many fans and for that reason I decided to shift the parameters of the podcast to create a “first listen” type of experience rather than a deeper exploration. We did try to bring out the best hidden gems that resonated with us and we did explore theories behind the creative process but we wanted to keep the pace moving so that each song could have roughly the same amount of discussion time, hence the 7 minutes.
I’ve put a tremendous amount of effort and energy into this project because I’m a life long fan. I really do try to make every episode as good as I possible can so I see things from a different perspective than you.
Much like VHIII, the boundaries of the content style were pushed.
I would be curious to know more about some things you felt were missing. Maybe I’ll be able to do a follow up.
You should do a follow up! I think you should do it only do it with people that know the album (as challenging as that may seem to find an older VH "fan" willing to listen and not immediately shit all over the first track because it starts with an acoustic guitar and piano). I think going for a "first listen experience" does not do any justice to it at all. None of the other episodes followed that format and this isn't American Idol right? This is supposed to be a celebration of Ed's legacy right?
I did enjoy hearing the origins of some the riffs. Ed did extensive interviews with Guitar World about the writing and the recording of almost every song. That "shaker" on "Dirty Water Dog" is actually Ed sweeping the floor and you hear Ed say "shit" as the handle breaks off.
Maybe my expectation were too high but I figured you would be devoting the same amount of time and detail to each album to really explore the VH discography as a whole. But listening to that last episode I can totally see why Ed really lost the passion for releasing new music when his own friends and fans weren't even willing to really listen anymore.
will the non-album tracks from Greatest Hits and Best of Both Worlds compilations be addressed at some point. Would love to hear your take on those tunes.
Happy birthday Dweezil
Happy Birthday to Dweezil today!
I've listened to the Blues Saraceno & James Santiago episode.
It's one thing to criticize an album.
It's another one to do it "in style"...
I don't think EVH deserved that kind of treatment.
Oh my God, They Killed Kenny!
They were shitting on the album, bit stupid to have them on to talk about an album they obviously don't like and then upload it as part of a series for VH fans....
This was tossed out simply to check a box. I am not a big fan of the album, but it was a bit much.
Wolfgang Van Halen just posted a photo of himself with Dave Grohl and Josh Freese to social media. So I did a google search on Josh to see what he has been up to and this old article from 1991 came up regarding Dweezil on the “Confessions” tour. Thought you guys would dig. Didn’t know where to post this but here it is…very tangentially related to VH just by virtue of how I got to it https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-05-ca-1828-story.html
^
I saw Z play at the old London Marquee club, in 1991. Awesome gig!
Apologies for not keeping up but I was trying to go back to an old comment about Ed's picks --the old Fenders.
Allen G.: do you know if the plastic formulation has changed since the late 70s/early 80s? .. and the thickness of the medium/thin Fender picks?
Semi-related question to the community: any thoughts or comment on on the striped Tortex picks Dunlop is selling these days?
Otherwise, thanks a bunch to DZ and the rest of you EVH nerds! can't get enough of this stuff!
The newer Tortex picks are cool. They help when it comes to pinch harmonics. But, when it comes to playing rhythm parts, you have to REALLY hit the strings harder to get those dynamics. I have been using Steve Vai's picks lately and those have a great balance to them.
To the best of my knowledge, the Fender pick material hasn’t changed. There was a brief period around 1955 when real tortoise shell was used to make the brown tortoise colored picks, but I believe it’s just the same old celluloid material and as far as I know the thickness has remained to within negligible tolerances.
Hi DZ! Any estimate when the Line 6 Helix VH presets will become available for us subscribers?
Ok Blues. I'll take VH3 over your TRANSMISSION OK any day of the fucking week. Two seconds of "swimming"... Marcus Is Out. Peace Brother.
Following up on some of the comments here, it's no surprise that VH 3 was different and surprising to so many. But, over time, as I was a fan of it when it first came out, there are so many experiences to draw from that it would be wrong to exclude of all of them ( and that includes Blues' and James' feelings ). Some laughed at it, some thought it was genius. For me, I liked it but as the album grew on me, the more I saw where Edward was going for the MUSIC. And, in some cases, the critics of the album missed the point of the music while the fans grew to like things that were darker than most people realize ( the recent Chris Gill/Brad Tolinsky EVH book explores the emotional terrority Edward was dealing with when VH 3 was being made-pretty insightful stuff ).
In some ways, Edward and Frank Zappa were so similar in terms of the alignment of making music for personal reasons: If you liked it and no one else cared for it, then it was good. I can't tell you how many people laughed at me when I used to play " St. Etienne " in my car stereo, hearing my friends state that it " sounded like a beginning guitar player not playing right " whereas I heard a composer exploring new sonic territory in a deeper way. And, truth being told here, most folks simply don't have a musical education: It's either good or bad for these folks. But, for those who like to explore new musical sounds with a large amount of musical knowledge, there is no such thing as good or bad. VH 3 fits into that last category. I truly believe that if more folks explore the album in deeper detail, there is A LOT of grand musical information there ( the overdubs to " From Afar " to the solo/ rhythm parts to " Dirty Water Dog " are just AMAZING ).
I enjoy Blues' and James' feelings because they weren't that much different to the feelings I heard when I first listened to VH 3 ( let alone listening to Frank's music ). In fact, VH 3 isn't the first time Edward caused people to scratch their heads. In 1988, after OU812 came out, guitarist Robben Ford was asked what he thought of " Finish What You Started " in a 1990 Guitar For The Practicing Musician Magazine issue ( they used to have a spot where artists were asked what their thoughts were on a select group of tracks ). Ford's reaction wasn't too dissimilar to Blues' and James' reactions, as I recall ( Ford said something to the effect that his idea of Van Halen was loud guitar playing via " Eruption " and was surprised with the 1988 track ).
I find it's important to include all feelings to any music because it's all part of the human processing experience of hearing/seeing something DIFFERENT. However, if Blues and James take some more time with VH 3, I'll bet they'll change their minds.
Okay that was one way to go… To be honest, done this way, I would have rather skipped the VHIII episode altogether. What’s the point of all the ridicule? This almost makes me feel stupid for liking the album. I can understand that it disappointed the Roth-era fans who had come to idolize Eddie’s early approach and output, but hey, cut your losses and move on. No need for all the negativity. Come on, comparing the opening of the YTTD solo to drunken uncle on stage? I for one liked the gradual shift in Edwards solo-style towards more bluesy melodic lines away from the singularly unique jazzy/beboppy phrasing of his earlier years - which I also absolutely love! Clearly the album is not perfect and suffers greatly from the absence of a strong independent producer, but it holds some very inspired material, at least in my view. Dirty Water Dog, Once and How Many Say I are actually among my all-time favorite VH tracks. It’s pretty condescending to say it’s “sad” that “he thinks he is at his creative peak” when “his creativity is not at his peak right now”, and that “that’s when you go to therapy”. Wow. In reality, according to his interviews, this album actually was the result of a creative burst following therapy. Indeed, it’s different, it's dark and it’s all over the place. Clearly too much so for some. Oh well, at least we now have some more insight as to why many early EVH fans really don’t (want to) like this album.
I would much rather have had a podcast featuring Gary Cherone, who may not be a guitarist, but would have offered a more interesting take on (the making of) the album.
Very well put, Rolf d.
Blues and James: "In all fairness, IN ALL FAIRNESS, (I mean we haven't really listened to this album all the way through, and I have an attitude), this could have been a great 20 minutes")
Ok, I was about to post about how brilliant the episode on Balance was and then logged into see this was really excited at first, especially such high exalted players, but this feels like all of you set the phasers to destroy, not mono, and, even with objective comments that are insightful, as soon as an audio clip is played, it's basically attacked, especially out of context, without letting the song breathe. This is plays like a big FUCK YOU to this album and feels like where this series jumps the shark. I don't love this album but it doesn't deserve this thrashing.
Two seconds of Neworld "I'm out"
Cool story, bro.
I get this idea and it would have been more impactful doing first quick impressions of VH1 or 5150 but this is not the setting for this.
Can you imagine the same mindset of 1984? Two seconds in of the prelude, "I'm out"
I'm just finished the VHIII episode and I'm a little embarrassed for all of you for this.
Hi,
I agree VHIII doesn't come close to the rest of VH discography. Christopher L mentioned this downfall maybe a result from the lack of leadership and that's a valid hypothesis. In my opinion I think Eddie tried to lead the project and avoid any source of conflict - do everything his own way. I remember Freddie Mercury saying the secret of Queen's quality and success was conflict and sometimes he provoked the other members to try to extract the best from them. Of course conflict also has a lot of disadvantages and not everyone can handle it for too long and maybe that's why Eddie tried to do everything his own way on this album.
In my opinion, "A Year to the Day" is the best track of the album and got a bit overlooked on this episode. The guitar parts are incredible and is the only track I think Cherone is at home.
DZ,
Very happy to have a couple of episodes to listen to. Amsterdam and Aftershock are badass. Balance gets overlooked in the VH catalog, but personally I like it better than OU812. The glaring differences between Balance and VHIII make it clear that EVH was maybe struggling with some demons…and possibly some hearing loss. Balance was clean and shiny while VHIII is dark and muddy. Then compare to ADKOT where the fire was back with a vengeance…despite Roth’s shoddy vocals. VHIII is an obvious misstep … most bands have them.
Again DZ thank you for this project. I enjoy it very much. Anxious for the next episode.
Dweezil,
I see both sides of the statement Matt made about the VHIII album. I agree that some of the songs could have gone longer than a 7-minute segment BUT I appreciate your willingness to change it up.
Matt's comment about "Incoherent babble" hits home on this album. I think this would have been the perfect Eddie solo album and everyone would have been ok with his statement. Sadly, I think management pushed the idea that another singer could come in and do the same thing Sammy did. Edward WAS NOT in a good place.
95 AmBulance tour which ends in early November(hip surgery and potentially drifting back to drugs and alcohol)
96 The controversy of Sammy and Ed butting heads in early Jan/Feb. "Remember, Humna's Being is the song that broke the camel's back for the band. Ray Danniels convinces Edward and Alex to do the Twister music soundtrack AND include a Van Halen track and Sammy was exhausted. They make a video for Human's Being and Don't even get along on set. Watch the video and you can tell they are not happy even Edward doesn't smile but rather smirk almost. In June they announced a separation from Hagar. Danniels/Warner Brothers bring up the idea of DLR after convincing them to do a greatest hits album and they work on that with DLR. September 4 is the MTV debacle in NYC which in hindsight should not have been done because it was TOO CLOSE to the separation from Hagar. (It's akin to being married, divorcing, remarrying, and then divorcing your second wife only to turn immediately around and hang out with your first wife and proclaim your love) This sent them down a bad path.
97 Danniels turns around and needs a singer since he has lost both and turns to his band Extreme. He forces the third marriage all while Edward also is still battling health and anxiety issues and alcohol goes in and out. I believe forced sobriety could be a term used for him in 1997. Danniels job from WB is to refocus Edward and convince him Gary is a great partner. Alex is now stuck with Danniels because he played his hand and it has ended in disaster but can't because of Danniels in his family. (Dweezil, certainly correct me if I am wrong about any of this)
1998 for this tour you convince Edward to play more of the early Van Halen because there was such a high of seeing DLR at the music awards and prop EVH up with the marketing of "Who the Fuck is EVH?" Counter all of this with his flame out of the album sets EVH back YEARS if not a decade.
1999 make another album and it sounds the same as VHIII and suddenly WB wants nothing to do with them beyond previous albums. Fallout is horrible and EVH retreats to 5150 and begins a downfall.
2000 Nothing
2001 Nothing
2002 Nothing
2003 Glen Ballard circles back around to help keep EVH on target for 3 new songs for WB getting them to do another GH only this time you have Sammy playing 3 songs.
2004 Reunion debacle tour where EVH begins HEAVILY drinking and is sloppy and unfocused. Danniels needs to blame someone for all of this and he decides to convince Alex that Michael Anthony is the problem because he hangs with Sammy.
2005 Nothing (Is there EVH does the porn films)
2006 Nothing but Michael Ninn-directed adult film Sacred Sin
2007 Get DLR back and bring Wolfgang in to tour to make some money but ultimately "health issues" sideline this again.
2008 Tour continues and Ed goes to rehab for 6 weeks
2009/2010/2011 Recording and creating for ADKOT
All of this to say, Edward did not have a lot of self-esteem. Greg Renoff's book documents this over and over. Ted Templeman, for all the bad press, was able to channel EVH and stay focused. EVH ultimately didn't like nor understand what Ted did. VHIII is THE example of a band without a leader. It's Raw, it's different, and as Blues said, is incohesive.
Y’all are being way too harsh on vhIII.
F.u.c.k is my favorite vh album
Got a chance to listen to both episodes on the plane.
The Balance one is great and Andy Wood is an absolute monster player with an infectious energy for this period of EVH. Not only does he nail the tone but also the playing and the impromptu Cliffs of Dover was incredible. While not one of my favorite VH albums, it did make me go back and listen.
The VHIII one was bittersweet. The production is a mess and I have to believe Eddie's mental state was not good. There is a great episode on Matt Pinfield discussing the album in its entirety which is worth a watch.
Michael Anthony is uncomfortable as is Gary throughout the whole episode though interestingly, it seems like Eddie put Music to the words versus the other way around which is what I would have believed. Without You, One I Want and Fire in the Hole could have been much better but the production is terrible. Gary (who I absolutely love in Extreme) is screaming way too much through the whole album. I remember being so pumped when Gary joined but I agree with your guests that this was a letdown with a lack of focus.
I'm so glad they came back with Me Wise Magic and A Different Kind of Truth which is a really great album and shows that when Eddie is focused and sober, he is untouchable musically and creatively.
Great stuff!!
MM
in reference to III, I remember reading an interview that coincided with the release and Ed seemed to be very happy with a newfound sobriety, being in therapy and having a new love.
all things mentioned during From Afar, by y’all.
I always joked that I was one of 11 who liked this record. I think it was all about the timing of hearing it, which is so important to the music we like. I’m in agreement with all the points you bring up about production and and meander and lack of focus, but I’ve listened to it so much I still like it.
I've been looking forward to the VHIII episode since I subscribed here. What a let down. Suddenly there is a 7 minute time limit to discuss each song? And you get two guys that don't like the album, didn't want to talk about it, haven't listened to it more than once in 24 years, and get them judge each song based on the intro? Every other episode has been excellent. WTF happened to make you give up on this project?
Hi Matt,
This album has always been a challenge for Van Halen fans. No matter how the album is approached there are some obstacles to overcome. The music is not as familiar to many fans and for that reason I decided to shift the parameters of the podcast to create a “first listen” type of experience rather than a deeper exploration. We did try to bring out the best hidden gems that resonated with us and we did explore theories behind the creative process but we wanted to keep the pace moving so that each song could have roughly the same amount of discussion time, hence the 7 minutes.
I’ve put a tremendous amount of effort and energy into this project because I’m a life long fan. I really do try to make every episode as good as I possible can so I see things from a different perspective than you.
Much like VHIII, the boundaries of the content style were pushed.
I would be curious to know more about some things you felt were missing. Maybe I’ll be able to do a follow up.
You should do a follow up! I think you should do it only do it with people that know the album (as challenging as that may seem to find an older VH "fan" willing to listen and not immediately shit all over the first track because it starts with an acoustic guitar and piano). I think going for a "first listen experience" does not do any justice to it at all. None of the other episodes followed that format and this isn't American Idol right? This is supposed to be a celebration of Ed's legacy right?
I did enjoy hearing the origins of some the riffs. Ed did extensive interviews with Guitar World about the writing and the recording of almost every song. That "shaker" on "Dirty Water Dog" is actually Ed sweeping the floor and you hear Ed say "shit" as the handle breaks off.
Maybe my expectation were too high but I figured you would be devoting the same amount of time and detail to each album to really explore the VH discography as a whole. But listening to that last episode I can totally see why Ed really lost the passion for releasing new music when his own friends and fans weren't even willing to really listen anymore.
Dweezil—
will the non-album tracks from Greatest Hits and Best of Both Worlds compilations be addressed at some point. Would love to hear your take on those tunes.
Hi Jared,
I do plan to explore those songs as well. Just working on guests at the moment.