Van Halen stinks up cyberspace with new single "Tattoo"

I've listened to it half a dozen times now, and to me the new Van Halen single just doesn't live up to all the hype. Yesterday brought the crummy news about Tony Iommi, and now this.

As Ear of Newt previously reported, the new VH album A Different Kind of Truth--which is scheduled for release on February 7--has been described as "fucking killer" and "vintage Van Halen" by certain rockers who had an advance listen. But I don't think either of those descriptions fits "Tattoo", the new track released on YouTube today.

Not to get too technical, but it sounds kinda ho-hum to me. And isn't Eddie's solo just a rehash of various licks from "Jump" and "Beat It"? Plus, the video itself gives new meaning to the term "effortless".

When I think "fucking killer" and "vintage Van Halen", "Tattoo" is not what comes to mind. This is what comes to mind:

Update: the new Chickenfoot single stinks too.

You can follow Steve Newton on Twitter at twitter.com/earofnewt.

Comments

50 Comments

totalsavagepunk

Jan 10, 2012 at 12:20pm

Stop Whining...Good lord.

Steve Newton

Jan 10, 2012 at 12:29pm

dude, I've barely STARTED whining!

Lol

Jan 10, 2012 at 12:33pm

...ya,put out some of your own material and let's all judge at once! This is the first single...when you actually HEAR the rest of the album..you can then make that kind of statement....relax

M. Anthony

Jan 10, 2012 at 1:12pm

Wow, that's some weak sauce, no energy - the only thing that would make it worse is horns. Hope they are saving the "good stuff" for later. They should get rid of that old dude shuffling around and get David Lee Roth + Wolfie should lay off the Twinkies.

Pat Crowe

Jan 10, 2012 at 1:24pm

I'd rather chew on tin foil while shaving my head with a cheese grater than have to sit through another Van Halen concert with all of the large minds.
Put a muumuu and a Jessica Rabbit wig on Roth and set him free!

M.G. Stevens

Jan 10, 2012 at 2:00pm

Gotta say I found it easier to stay with Tattoo. More range (if that's even a term you can use with these guys..) but there it is. Never liked them in their prime, this seems more nuanced somehow. If so, good for them.

I knew there was some benefit to tuning out from 75'-95'...

scott oberg

Jan 10, 2012 at 2:17pm

after you listen to it a couple of times it starts to rock. i like it.

Kevin Sage

Jan 10, 2012 at 3:08pm

Newton, you whine like a girl who had her lollipop jacked by the neighborhood bully. If you don't like the song, so what? When was the last time YOUR opinion had an effect on the rest of the world?

Jay Rock

Jan 10, 2012 at 3:15pm

I agree, it does get better with time. They are back to rocking about chicks and fun stuff, and Roth sounds great for his age. Larry Bird isn't walking through those doors folks...

B Weston

Jan 10, 2012 at 3:26pm

OK I'm gonna say it. Where the HELL is Sammy!!!!