MR

Allmusic.com constantly refers to the rhythm section of Van Halen as the most boring in heavy rock. I like VH, but to an extent I have to agree. It's not like Mike and Alex can't play...they show some chops in their solos. But during the songs themselves there is very little deviation, especially on the bass which is usually a one-note bass line.

Even so, they're not as boring as AC/DC's!

I agree, but what the Hell is the point? They aren't going to be playing VH anytime within the next mllenium anyways.

The best example to expose the inaccuracy of this topic would probably be "Hot For Teacher." There are quite a few others. I think it all depends on what one thinks is "boring."

I think the problem is with Alex. IMO he ia a terrible drummer.-ERIC

Hmm, this is odd.....Alex is completely self taught, and some of the rythyms he comes up with are just......out there!!
Think of Mine all Mine, Outta love again or Loss of Control - even the middle section of Jump......or countless others - not too sure what these dudes are on.

I am (was) a drummer myself, and some of Alex's stuff is pretty hard to copy - precisely because he hasn't been 'spoiled' by being taught from an early age - I don't have any comments about Mikey - to me his playing has always been adequate, not too much more.

Alex often sits in with Ed anyway, with the bass just supplying some background rumble. 'Hot for teacher' is a classic example of this - 'Finish what ya started' is another.

Kenny wrote:I don't have any comments about Mikey - to me his playing has always been adequate, not too much more.

But he can chug the Jack Daniels with the best of them!

I think Mike & Alex are a GREAT rhythm section in rock who give Van Halen that kick in the ass. Ritchie Sambora & Tico Torres of Bon Jovi are 2 of the lamest rhythm sections in rock

Wayne wrote:I think Mike & Alex are a GREAT rhythm section in rock who give Van Halen that kick in the ass. Ritchie Sambora & Tico Torres of Bon Jovi are 2 of the lamest rhythm sections in rock

Sambora is a lead guitarist. A rhythm section consists of a drummer and bass player.

NealIsGod wrote:

Wayne wrote:I think Mike & Alex are a GREAT rhythm section in rock who give Van Halen that kick in the ass. Ritchie Sambora & Tico Torres of Bon Jovi are 2 of the lamest rhythm sections in rock

Sambora is a lead guitarist. A rhythm section consists of a drummer and bass player.

Actually I've just realised that the original post says 'constantly refers to'......maybe a link might be nice?

This topic has made me listen to the VH albums differently. Trying to ignore Eddie, I've found most of the tracks enjoyable nonetheless.

Here are some from www.allmusic.com:

On VHIII: "but it's all too familiar, since Cherone sounds uncannily similar to Sammy, and Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony remain the blandest rhythm section in all of hard rock."

On Balance: "No matter how hard he tries, he's weighed down by the most predictable rhythm section in all of rock & roll, which gives each number the same unvarying deadlocked pulse, completely obliterating Eddie's increased musical sensitivity."

On Live: "With the exception of the consistently impressive Eddie Van Halen, the album slows to a halt during the solo passages."

I still have no freakin' idea where that dude is coming from. None.

It seems he has issues - maybe he was 'denied' a backstage pass at some point....in any event, it is purely and simply a load of piffle.

Bland rhythm section? Try Nickelback.

Kenny wrote:I still have no freakin' idea where that dude is coming from. None.

It seems he has issues - maybe he was 'denied' a backstage pass at some point....in any event, it is purely and simply a load of piffle.

Bland rhythm section? Try Nickelback.

It is a bizarre thing to complain about. Michael Anthony and Alen Van Halen added a lot to that VH "sound". VH wouldn't have been the same without them.

NealIsGod wrote:It is a bizarre thing to complain about. Michael Anthony and Alen Van Halen added a lot to that VH "sound". VH wouldn't have been the same without them.

From a musical standpoint, no complaints on Alex (even if he is an asshole), but Michael added a lot to Van Halen with his steady playing and excellent harmonies.

AC/DC and VAN HALEN has the most "BORING" rhythm section in ROCK???!!! Give me a F'ing break I had to register because of this STUPID POST!!!! Perhaps you should put in your INGWE MALMSTEEN or DREAM THEATRE cd and get a real sense of what an "exciting" rhythm section is all about Speed is not KEY!!!

Anyone who knows a salt about music, will tell you LESS IS MORE!!!!!

Any drummer who has more than a 4-piece drum set has TOO MUCH!!! (Kenny, I've been such a fan of yours, too...Not defending Alex, and a drummer, too???)


I'll go TOE to TOE with any one of you who wants to debate this issue further...This is my first post...Thanks for the welcome-wagon!

Hello, Wisconsin!

Pull my finger, pull my finger... (I actually like Dream Theater).

Paddywagon wrote:AC/DC and VAN HALEN has the most "BORING" rhythm section in ROCK???!!! Give me a F'ing break I had to register because of this STUPID POST!!!! Perhaps you should put in your INGWE MALMSTEEN or DREAM THEATRE cd and get a real sense of what an "exciting" rhythm section is all about Speed is not KEY!!!

Anyone who knows a salt about music, will tell you LESS IS MORE!!!!!

Any drummer who has more than a 4-piece drum set has TOO MUCH!!! (Kenny, I've been such a fan of yours, too...Not defending Alex, and a drummer, too???)


I'll go TOE to TOE with any one of you who wants to debate this issue further...This is my first post...Thanks for the welcome-wagon!

Welcome Paddy.....nice first post!!!
I didn't quite get whether you were attacking me or praising me for 'not defending' ? Alex?? I thought I WAS defending him!!!

Still a fan, Kenny...

I rather like Dreamtheatre & Ingwe, myself, VH101

The mere idea of Van Halen & AC/DC having "boring" rhythm sections got my blood-boiling!!!!!!!!!!!

It's all about the FEEL!!!! AC/DC & VAN HALEN have great groove oriented songs...Malcolm (& Angus) & Eddie are great riff-meisters...great VH songs like Mean Street, Black & Blue, Beautiful Girls...such great GROOVES!!!

The guy who thinks that these bands are boring is the snotty-nosed 14 yr old kid shredding on his pointy-guitar at the local mall music store...

Paddywagon wrote:The guy who thinks that these bands are boring is the snotty-nosed 14 yr old kid shredding on his pointy-guitar at the local mall music store...

c'mon, it's obvious this guy who wrote the review has his head up his ass. He's probably some washed up failure-of-a-musician who can't play Van Halen's music.

Hey, Fernando, where ya been? Good to see ya.

If Deen Castranova didn't sing better than any lead singer in rock, I would say Journey would have the most boring..

I once spoke to Ross Valory and he said, "I leave the chops at home...during the show, I just lay down bass..Neal gets all the chops.."

Ohhh...... It's all so boring - this music to which we listen!!! No. No. No!!!

NealIsGod wrote:Hey, Fernando, where ya been? Good to see ya.

Hey, I've been around lurking here and there. Had some net problems with my computer, but I think it's sorted. Spyware problems, still get popups from time to time... problems with the wireless network... you know, the usual! And then I recently moved, so you know how much time that eats up.

Thanks, dude!

Alex Van Halen is my favorite drummer! So they are totally wrong and I hate them.

YankeeRose wrote:Alex Van Halen is my favorite drummer! So they are totally wrong and I hate them.

Now we're talking!!!!!!!!!!!


I've always thought AVH was wayyy underrated!!! Glad to see some of you agree...

I guess "BORING" is kind of subjective...just as some of the great novels of our time would probably put me to sleep!

I'll stick to listening, as opposed to reading...

No offence paddy, but Alex is rather "average," compared to some others, like Steve Smith and Neal Peart. Don't get me wrong, The VH rythm section is solid, but not spectacular.

I think like Eddie, Alex has NOT improved..at all...but that happens when you stop playing music.

Rock'ndeano wrote:No offence paddy, but Alex is rather "average," compared to some others, like Steve Smith and Neal Peart. Don't get me wrong, The VH rythm section is solid, but not spectacular.

I think like Eddie, Alex has NOT improved..at all...but that happens when you stop playing music.

Alex Van Halen could plays circles around Steve Smith.

And Steve Smith has no business being thought of in the same league as Neal Peart.

Whaddya expect from a delusional Journey fan.

DarwinNebraska wrote:

Rock'ndeano wrote:No offence paddy, but Alex is rather "average," compared to some others, like Steve Smith and Neal Peart. Don't get me wrong, The VH rythm section is solid, but not spectacular.

I think like Eddie, Alex has NOT improved..at all...but that happens when you stop playing music.

Alex Van Halen could plays circles around Steve Smith.

And Steve Smith has no business being thought of in the same league as Neal Peart.

Whaddya expect from a delusional Journey fan.

Thought you don't like troublemakers, Darwin?

DarwinNebraska wrote:
Alex Van Halen could plays circles around Steve Smith.

And Steve Smith has no business being thought of in the same league as Neal Peart.

Whaddya expect from a delusional Journey fan.

Even the most ardent VH fans would agree that you are a loser.

Smith is incredible. Where did I bash VH?

Rock'ndeano wrote:

DarwinNebraska wrote:
Alex Van Halen could plays circles around Steve Smith.

And Steve Smith has no business being thought of in the same league as Neal Peart.

Whaddya expect from a delusional Journey fan.

Even the most ardent VH fans would agree that you are a loser.

Smith is incredible. Where did I bash VH?

He's no Neal Peart or AVH.