*** VAN HALEN, “Best of, Volume 1,” Warner Bros.
When David Lee Roth parted ways with Van Halen in 1986 and Sammy Hagar took his place as frontman, the group’s beefy blend of power pop and hard rock didn’t lose an ounce of strength--a point illustrated on a package that diplomatically splits its focus between the Roth and Hagar eras. Hagar’s more down-to-earth rock dude attitude brought out subtler elements of the music than Roth’s grand gestures and vaudevillian flair had allowed.
Those who lamented Roth’s departure will rejoice in his reunion with the band for “Me Wise Magic” and “Can’t Get This Stuff No More,” the two new tracks on this collection. While Van Halen tapped the energy of an earthier approach during their years apart, Roth’s vocals developed a grittier, bluesier edge.
Though it was apparently not meant to last, the old magic smolders with renewed panache in these rumbling, gravelly grooves.
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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).
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