From Melodic Rock:

In related news, I heard from one retailer in the US that was invited to a playback of the album. He commented to me: “Overall, heavier than I expected. Highlights were China Town, Stay Frosty (think Ice Cream Man), Big River, Beats Workin’ (reminds you of DOA in the verse). She’s The Woman is a great track, we all thought it was a better track than the single.”
Security for the presentation was super tight though – with the exec from Interscope flying in especially with a coded CD and then taking it back with him when he left. Seems the powers that be are doing everything possible to prevent a leak of the album.

———————–

Another set of comments from a different source.

1. Tattoo
You’ve all heard this one – not a bad groove, would have been better later in the album

2. She’s The Woman
This should have been the kick off. Old time VH feel, great rocker with DLR on top form

3. You and Your Blues
Surprisingly laid back. Probably the coolest VH track I’ve heard. killer solo – didnt think Eddie had this sort of thing in him

4. China Town
This seems another oldie – a bit like Running With The Devil, big riff and big vocals. Wolfie does a great job on this one.

5. Blood and Fire
I’m On Fire 2. Fast paced rocker with classic VH sound. Solo could have come from any of the first 2 albums

6. Bullethead
Another Full on rocker. Hot For Teacher drum beat. A bit ordinary.

7. As Is
This was a real surprise. Could be Hagar era VH. Melodic, slower, understated in many ways. Best track on the album.

8. sweetiebabydoll
Don’t like this. More bubblegum DLR solo than VH. Skip

9. The Trouble With Never
Another ‘ballad’. Solid but a bit safe.

10. Outta Space
Outta Love more like. It has that groove to it.

11. Stay Frosty
This is another I think I’ve heard before. Women and Children first feel to it.

12. Big River
Another huge riff and classic Eddy fast solo. DLR on top form

13. Beats Workin’
Similar feel to She’s A Woman. A great ending to a better-than-anticipated album.

Interesting. As much as I wanna stay spoiler-free, I can’t help but want to read this stuff. Maybe we need a separate SPOILER forum or something for this kind of stuff.

Fingers crossed Outta Space is the Billy Preston song.

JasonA:
Interesting. As much as I wanna stay spoiler-free, I can’t help but want to read this stuff. Maybe we need a separate SPOILER forum or something for this kind of stuff.

+1

It’s funny, because we’ve waited this long already, but now that the CD is about to drop, I can’t seem to wait a second longer… My goal is to hear it unspoiled, but that might be impossible…

A couple lines jumped out at me …

“She’s The Woman is a great track, we all thought it was a better track than the single” … I think I said in another thread the first single often seems to be a weaker track to me.

“As Is: This was a real surprise. Could be Hagar era VH. Melodic, slower, understated in many ways. Best track on the album.” … According to this review the best song on the album could have been a Hagar era song, that made me laugh.

I’m going to reserve judgement until I can hear the album.

frankm: A couple lines jumped out at me … <P According to this review the best song on the album could have been a Hagar era song, that made me laugh.

I think it made Vain cry.

frankm:
A couple lines jumped out at me …

“As Is: This was a real surprise. Could be Hagar era VH. Melodic, slower, understated in many ways. Best track on the album.” … According to this review the best song on the album could have been a Hagar era song, that made me laugh.

I’m going to reserve judgement until I can hear the album.

I think the reviewer was talking about the the melodic aspects of the song, not any resemblance to Sammy’s singing. Me Wise Magic and Can’t Get This Stuff always sounded very 90′s VH to me instead of classic VH. I believe that’s what this reviewer is referring to here, as well, unfortunately. But I have to agree. I’m going to wait until I hear it to pass judgement.

ffoner:
Fingers crossed Outta Space is the Billy Preston song.

That would be bad ass….

Here is the words i love to see(classic VH sound) can’t wait,’THEIR BACK’ and yes we missed them.

steecoe: That would be bad ass….

Agreed. Hell, maybe even Ed played the Clavinet on it.???

wjamflan: I think the reviewer was talking about the the melodic aspects of the song, not any resemblance to Sammy’s singing. Me Wise Magic and Can’t Get This Stuff always sounded very 90′s VH to me instead of classic VH. I believe that’s what this reviewer is referring to here, as well, unfortunately. But I have to agree. I’m going to wait until I hear it to pass judgement.

I understand that … it still made me laugh.

Leak it already!!! I’m still gonna buy it!!

http://www.facebook.com/ClassicRockMagazine/posts/10150619848180883

Monday morning? Must be time to listen to the new Van Halen album…

VH: we’ve had 2 listens and in those 2 plays it’s gone from a little disappointing to actually pretty good. It may be a classic by 5pm. There’s a great run of 3 tracks at the end: Stay Frosty, an acoustic blues which just EXPLODES, Big River (prime VH) and Beats Workin’ at 5 mins the longest track. It has riffs, it has dynamics, it has the bassline from Daytripper.Full review next issue…

Rolling Stone gives “Tattoo” 2 1/2 stars.

It seems like the release of the Blood and Fire snippet pretty much invalidates that 2nd set of comments. I like the song but NO WAY is it “I’m On Fire 2.” So this guy is just spouting BS.

I’m still hoping Big River is a Cash cover.