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Van Halen - Balance

 

	RELEASED: Jan 24th 1995 PRODUCER:Bruce Fairbairn LABEL:Warner Bros. BAND: Sammy Hagar Eddie Van Halen Alex Van Halen Michael Anthony
+ Songs, Style, Eddie - Instrumentals	TRACKS: 1.The Seventh Seal 2.Can't Stop Lovin' You 3.Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do) 4.Amsterdam 5.Big Fat Money 6.Strung Out [instrumenta] 7.Not Enough 8.Aftershock 9.Doin' Time 10.Baluchitherium" [instrumental] 11.Take Me Back (Deja Vu) 12.Feelin

 

OVERVIEW

It was around this time that things started to get sketchy in the Van Halen camp. This was the last proper Van Halen release (excusing VH III, which has been swept under the carpet). It’s a pity too, because they were actually making some really good music. After this they released the great Humans Being on the twister soundtrack, and eventually teamed up with DLR again for the sensational Can’t Get This Stuff No More & also Me Wise Magic. It seemed they were really honing down a new sound, but it was never fully realised. Which brings us back to Balance, which in my opinion is probably their most underrated album.

 

SONGS

Things start out very atmospheric (as many do on this album) with the great rocker, Seventh Seal. Its already different territory for Van Halen, however it is fresher than anything they’d done for a long time, and it still keeps that great Van Halen sound. Things get into Van Hagar pop-style for Can’t Stop Loving You, which is actually very genuine and uplifting. Don’t Tell Me What Love Can Do is a great emotional rocker, which strong lyrics and a great ending. Amsterdam is yet another great mid-tempo rocker, with a similar sound to the other, another highlight. Hagar’s Big Fat Money is somewhat average in its settings. The bizarre Strung Out instrumental is followed by the beautiful piano masterpiece Not Enough, one of Eddie’s best. Aftershock continues on with the tradition of Amsterdam & Seventh Sign, another really strong rocker. Another weird instrumental is unleased with Doin’ Time, which slowly turns into a drum solo. Then this is followed by, wait…another instrumental! Baluchitherium however is a more Satriani affair, and was obviously made to be a full song, but Hagar was short for lyrics again. It’s a shame because it could’ve been great. Take Me Back is a great little stripped back acoustic number, very nice. Things finish with another highlight, the very moody Feelin’. Great stuff.

 

CONCLUSION

If this hadn’t included 2 instrumentals of utter nonsense, this could’ve been one of their best ever. Gone are the days of party lyrics and DLR kicks, what’s left is a very mature effort by some supreme musicians, it’s a pity they couldn’t follow it up. With great rockers like Aftershock, Seventh Seal & Amsterdam as well as moody, moving compositions such as Not Enough & Feelin’ this actually has a near perfect Balance of songs. Very dark and very different, but also very great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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