VAN HALEN — Balance (review)

VAN HALEN — Balance album cover Album · 1995 · Hard Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
2.5/5 ·
Negoba
Van Hagar Unraveling

After the strong showing of the Carnal Knowledge album and a solid greatest hits package, Van Halen seemed to have weathered the rise of grunge. To a degree, they were aging gracefully with "Right Now" sporting a more mature take on hedonist philosophy. The video was a huge success, the band was getting critical kudos, but something was rotting from the inside. My friend mocked during the concert we watched for the CK tour..."Sammy Hagar: Singer, Guitarist, Dancer, and Philosopher." The implication was that he did none of these well.

Eddie took his new look and new guitar from CK and gave us another helping for Balance. But he and Hagar were moving in different directions. While Eddie was battling his addictions (and failing) Hagar was still celebrating his (which he continues to do). Eddie would call "Amsterdam" one of the stupidest lyrics ever put on one of his riffs, and in general felt that Hagar was stagnant while he (at the time) was trying to find some new musical life. To a large extent, this was unsuccessful. Like many bands, Van Halen had heavier guitars, but they were less edgy, less in your face. Grunge had indeed taken its toll. This was the last gasp of a failing band. It wasn't awful at the time, but it's simply unremarkable now.

Bottom Line: Past their Prime
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