Local Music Blog: New Music Releases for the Week of Februrary 7th 2012

It didn’t suck! The new Van Halen album, A Different Kind of Truth, that is.

Considering the often unparalleled disaster that’s occurs whenever a generally bickering supergroup gets back together for one last fling, even though it probably won’t single-handedly rescue rock 'n' roll, this new release was a very pleasant surprise.

Although, when I say “back together” I should explain that, though Diamond Dave and Eddie managed to set aside their differences in the name of the almighty dollar, the perpetually feuding boys have yet to patch things up with original bassist Michael Anthony.

Though Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, is far more than passable, Mr. Anthony’s absence is keenly felt.

My biggest fear for this album was that time would’ve taken a massive toll on David Lee Roth’s voice. He’s never really sung as much as he shout-talks through songs. Even though he’s lost some vocal power, it’s not nearly enough for me to complain about.

And despite all of Eddie Van Halen’s age and medical scares, his guitar work hasn’t lost a lick.

Of course, the boys have never been known for their song writing skills and A Different Kind of Truth doesn’t break that mold. How often does anyone really need to repeat the word “tattoo” in any one song?”

But the album gets better as it goes along, especially when they start infusing those latter tracks with some of that old Van Halen sense of humor. Stay Frosty is my favorite.

With the alternative music genre no longer the alternative, it was refreshing to listen to a really good new rock offering. Thus, with all the appropriate shock and awe, I highly recommend A Different Kind of Truth.

I’d like to say that I’m looking forward to Van Halen’s next effort, but I’m sure they’ll break up (again) long before that.

On to The Fray and their third offering, Scars & Stories.

First, I love the album cover which harks back to those heralded '60s LP sleeves. It’s a pre-weathered shot of the boys running full speed through a grassy field with just a lonely electrical tower in the distance.

I don’t understand why, like Donald Trump, this group gets no respect. I’m still listening to their 2009 self-titled album I enjoy it so much.

Though reviewers often refer to The Fray as Cold Play Lite, bland, mediocre, and generic, they simply go on to sell more albums. What’s wrong with a group of musicians that does something really well and then sticks to that strength?

You’ve probably heard the single, Heartbeat, and despite the fact this may be their weakest effort, I still recommend it.

Then we have Dr. Dog’s second major label and sixth album with the Zen-like title, Be the Void. Like The Fray, this sextet from West Grove, PA, doesn’t get any love either.

Folks like to tag them with the psychedelic and retro labels, but whenever I listen to a Dr. Dog album, I hear a lot more. There’s jazz influences, funk, a dab of blues and even a bit of country.

Reviewers also like to moan that Dr. Dog is derivative of other indie acts, but I’ve never heard anything quite like them. I do hear some MGMT in their music, but Dr. Dog predates that group by six years, so who’s influencing whom?

Maybe I’m just not cool enough, but I’ve always liked Dr. Dog, and I certainly like Be the Void. We’ll go with yet another recommended rating.

That’s it for this round of releases! Next week we’ll catch up by combing reviews for the Feb. 14th and 21st releases. That will include Band of Skulls, Sleigh Bells, Field Music and Sinead O’Connor. Yes! Our Irish Pope picture ripping and Nothing Compares 2 U teary-eyed chanteuse is back!

Until then, I’ll be spending my time driving my two young sons crazy by running around the house singing Van Halen lyrics. I believe that embarrassing your children is clearly in the parental job description.