Comments on: Van Halen III released 11 years ago today

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:56:17 +0000

The second Van Halen album with Gary Cherone should have been released in 2000 and we should have got one more tour out of it and than they could have parted ways if it didn’t do well. I don’t know if Gary left on his own terms or what, but “3″ was just a tease and Gary really only left his mark with Van Halen at the live shows. Now that Gary is back with Extreme again we will probably never experience Gary at the mic in Van Halen again. “3″ is a pretty solid album, the mix could be better but it’s not the pile of trash people say it is, some solid rock tracks to be found.

By: Dick Bacon

Dick Bacon — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 07:27:04 +0000

VH III was an album that i really wanted to like. there was some good stuff on there, but overall it was a disappointment, like they just hadn’t worked hard enough on it to make it sound good. some of the songs were poorly written and that song that ed sings on should have been left off. the worst part of the record was the guitar tone.

having said that, it’s still 100x better than chickenfoot.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:12:42 +0000

Well I remember 11 years ago it was just great that VH finially put an album out. Admittedly Gary may have not been the ideal singer for VH, but it was great to hear those old DLR classics again. I saw them live in Melbourne Australia and enjoyed the show very much. Gary is very talented, and it is great to see him back with Extreme.
It may be a while if we ever hear anything in the near future from VH. I really hope I am wrong.
Thank GOD for Chickenfoot!

By: Chris D

Chris D — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:19:36 +0000

I just downloaded VH3 on ITunes today after not hearing it in a couple of years. I think its great! There are parts where it seems a bit rushed and messy, but overall Its a good album, and Eddies playing is just incredible! I would have loved to see how Gary would have worked out if they had made a few more albums with him!

By: murph

murph — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:21:07 +0000

Ed’ playing great,no chemistry and missed Mikes participation dureing recording

By: Rich

Rich — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:25:31 +0000

This is one of my most frequently visited VH albums (along with VH2, Fair Warning and FUCK) and weirdly I appreciate the fact that this is an underdog record. I really wish this had gotten popular…Gary had the chops and could’ve had a real chance if he did a few more albums.

I think, judging by this record, we all know what an EVH solo album would be like.

By: Biff

Biff — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:09:50 +0000

There were only 2 VH-worthy songs on VH3: “Year to the Day” and “Fire in the Hole.” The rest of the album felt like it was picked up off the cutting room floor. It seemed like, “Crap, Sammy just came out with an album. Well, we’ll show him! Quick, throw something together. Anybody know a lead vocalist without a band?”

As for better fits, here are a few bands whose vocalists and styles matched Van Halen’s needs: Y&T, Whitesnake, Jackal, Ugly Kid Joe (yes, even that vocalist would have beat Cherone), White Lion…

Actually, Cherone’s voice isn’t bad for VH, but his lyrics have always kind of sucked. “With a word to the wisdom tooth; To tell or not the truth; Well open up, say Amen; Rinse cup, then spit again…” What the hell?

Plus, on VH3, Gary was flat during a number of songs, the lyrical rhythm didn’t fit the music, and Eddie trying to do Nino was crap. Eddie needs to be himself.

Now, if they’d taken a year, ironed out some decent lyrics, and polished things up better, hell, Gary might still be part of the band. The whole episode was just a rush job gone wrong, if you ask me.

I’m anxious to hear the new album. Will the harmonies still sound sweet without Mikey?