I firmly believe that Van Halen will release a great album in the first half of 2012. All the signs are there: Talk of inspiration from old demos, independent musical witnesses such as Creed's Mark Tremonti commenting that it sounds like classic VH, the rumoured inclusion of the killer guitar break from Back To The Future, major label 'snap up' from that sharpest of cookies Jimmy Iovine of Interscope Records.
Still, in terms of critical and fan acclaim, they probably can't win. Van Halen fans as I've come to discover are amongst the most critical out there, attributable in no small part to the massive impact and influence their guitarist had on the 80's US Hard Rock scene.
Release an album that is bold and reaching equals criticism for that departure of sound.
Put out an album that returns the sound of Van Halen I and Van Halen II replete with one guitar out of one speaker, bass on other, vocals dead centre and it's derided as a cynical rehash act a la the unfair reception awarded to Metallica's Death Magnetic.
One thing to keep in mind though: Cream always rises to the top, so if it really is superb it'll sell by the bucketload whatever anyone says.
Still, in terms of critical and fan acclaim, they probably can't win. Van Halen fans as I've come to discover are amongst the most critical out there, attributable in no small part to the massive impact and influence their guitarist had on the 80's US Hard Rock scene.
Release an album that is bold and reaching equals criticism for that departure of sound.
Put out an album that returns the sound of Van Halen I and Van Halen II replete with one guitar out of one speaker, bass on other, vocals dead centre and it's derided as a cynical rehash act a la the unfair reception awarded to Metallica's Death Magnetic.
One thing to keep in mind though: Cream always rises to the top, so if it really is superb it'll sell by the bucketload whatever anyone says.