MR

I downloaded the demo that was talked about in fans circles. I found a link on Mikeportnoy.com.
The guitar is crunchy and NEW sounding, but it is still Ed to the max. The vocal however sounds uninspired and cliche'. Im pretty sure it is a demo so Im not going to criticize the production.
It is realy nice to hear Ed playing kickass riffs again. I get the sense from listening to it that Sam just put words over one of Ed's instrumentals. It doesnt seem to flow like a tune that was constructed from the ground up with melody and lyric ideas IMO.
I really like it. BUT!!! It took 6 years for them to surface again and this song really isnt that amazing. I guess i dont think its groundbreaking. I still have faith that VH can still bring it.

Check it out and post an opinion.

Can you post a link Nubman? I'm sure there are a few who would appreciate it here.......

Sorry - I don't like it......BUT it is only a first listen and it could just be a demo.

I don't think it sounds like Van Hagar, and I think it sounds too modern - although that could prove to be a good thing sales wise.

I hate to type this, but on the first two listens, it's just OK -- I agree that it sounds like a work in progress. Vocals don't seem to go with the music. Definitely a more modern sound.

I must admit, however, that songs often grow on me. Also, I wan't to hear them on a good stereo vs. car/computer. I'm just psyched to see them out there again. It's good to see the "real" rock bands putting out music (i.e., Rush, VH, AC/DC, etc.). Don't get me wrong, I love some of the new bands, but I think most of the music today lacks the complexity of the class rockers.

Wow. I just downloaded the song from Strungout, my favourite VH message board. I like it.
The guitar sound is unreal. Contemporary sounding, but unmistakenly EVH - it's a bit heavier than I thought it would be, but catchy as hell.
I reckon there are a few VH fans on this board that will be very happy with this.......

This is a MAJOR step forward for the band, and for Edward, after VH III.......

Based on what I heard on the soundclip, I'm thinking that the new tracks will be warm-ups after a long absence. And then they'll crank it up a notch if they follow it up with a full studio album. There's hope yet.

Doesnt sound like they spent much time on this, very disapointing. I dont think it sucks, but I had higher expectations after all the time it took. I still wish Ed would go back to the marshall sound he had on earlier records. Seems Sammy was pushed to get done in a hurry.At least we got a new Van Halen record!! I hope we get a new live DVD, and a whole new record to follow.
Lt.Bob

I wasn't blown away by it. But then again, Van Halen's music always has to grow on me... I almost never like it his music on the first hearing. It took me a few listens to warm to 5150 back in the 80s, and now I really love it.

The track is very "dry"... I wish it was a little more produced.... a bit more polished. As usual, the bass is mixed too damn low. Poor Michael.. I'm giving up hope we'll ever really hear him.

EVH's new tone reminds me of Nuno Bettancourt's tone on his Mourning Widows work.... or even on the WAITING FOR THE PUNCHLINE release.

Wow. I just downloaded the song from Strungout, my favourite VH message board. I like it.
The guitar sound is unreal. Contemporary sounding, but unmistakenly EVH - it's a bit heavier than I thought it would be, but catchy as hell.
I reckon there are a few VH fans on this board that will be very happy with this.......

This is a MAJOR step forward for the band, and for Edward, after VH III.......

I'm with you Kenny....I like this alot Now, more than ever I am wanting a complete new album....but I will make do with the Greatest Hits Mark II for now

I thought it was ok, I hope this 90 second clip is a rough mix and not the one that will become the song. The song seems disjointed, the lyrics do not seem to flow with the music, maybe it is because they have not made music together for six years. Am I glad they are all back together? HELL YES. Best of Luck VH.

I like it.

Reminds me of I Can't Drive 55 at times.

And it is sort of in the vein of Humans Being as far as the 'modern feel' goes.

My only concern would be that they seem to be overdoing the traditional VH guitar sound.
I think that is what makes it feel like it's all over the place a bit, but the more I hear it, the more I like it.

if somebody could post a link that has the whole song it would be nice. Thanks Lt.Bob

Agree, sounds a tad rushed in the lyric and vocal melody, and a pretty weak chorus, not the greatest song by VH and to some degree this won't live up to the hype of the VH re-formation. However...

On a personal note, after they released Humans Being way back I was eager to hear the band go a tad heavier and finally after all these years I've got what I hoped for. As far as the song itself goes, although I instantly recognise some flaws (IMO of course!) as outlined above , I like like like the track. I mean, at the end of the day, the song isn't a flop, it does rock, and this is VH. Final veridct?

F&%@ YEAH!
Bring it on!!!!!

Now that I've heard the whole track, I have to say I'm starting to like it. On the strength of this song, I will be buying this collection. The solo was interesting... the beginning had a weird passage that made me wonder how he did it. It's been a long time since any guitar player has done that to me.

Overall, the track reminds me of the FAIR WARNING era Eddie. It is purposefully raw, kinda like a "back to basics" vibe. It will sound great cranked in my truck. I disagree that Sammy's vocals are just thrown on top of it... I think the vox are very much an essential part of this song! He sings great on this track.

I still wish we could hear Mikey, though. Eddie and Alex sound connected like brothers should be. Alex still has his chops.

This may be a weird thing to say, but this song succeeds in the way that Metallica's latest album didn't.

Heard whole track...?

I posted a link in the VH forum entitled "90 second samples suck"

It's in there

I got the whole tune. Here is where I got it:

http://miraclefingers.synaesoft.com/ItsAboutTime.bak

rename to .mp3

Im not sure why you have to rename it, but it works.

Right click, save target as, save it.
rename to itsabouttime.mp3 and it works

Peace

Thanks guys,I finally got it.
Lt.Bob

Yep. ta!

I have listened to it enough now. I still dont think it is very strong. The lead is mostly the same squeakin sqwauk he has been doing. It just doesnt sound like there is alot of time put into it. I cant believe this is what he has been workin on for six years. No wonder noboby is smilin in that new pic. Believe me I dont like talkin shit about my favorite band. Its just my worthless opinion.

Later
Lt.Bob

Yeah, there is definitely a "how many people should we please" vibe going on in this tune. And for the sake of a "here's a G.D. song for ya'll"... it definitely serves up. But someone mentioned 6 years??? I don't think so - this does sound rushed - but that's ok. I have higher hopes for the other cuts.

I'm seeing these guys in Phili next Month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW a hearty thanks to NUBMAN for the hookup on the link (and nice instructions for the technically declined not me of course



-Brandon

The six years thing is really a bit unfair......VH III was released in 98, and they toured on it for what, a year?
Then Ed had a marriage break up and had to deal with cancer........I think some of you need to give the guy a break - it's the freshest sounding stuff we've heard out of 5150 for a long time.

Its not the best Van Halen song ever but its far from the worst.

Its definately better than a kick in the nuts.

I have listened to the song quite a few times now, and it is growing on me. At first I thought it was a mess, but it is starting to 'flow' for me. Love the big chunky guitar sound.

When I first heard the song, I loved it. Maybe it's no chart topping single, but it's still VH. In my mind, it didn't have to be a chart topping single. It's a warmup. It's a song to letcha know that VH back. The bridge has a classic Van Halen feel to it with a more Sammyesque chorus..kinda Runaroundish as my girlfriend said. This song is what I expected and I am more than happy with it. C'mon, it's VH. You can analyze every little note or lyric, or this or that transition, but I choose not to. Wanna know how many movies I've seen where this or that could've been a little better yet at the end of the movie, I feel more than satisfied and pleased even though it may not be Oscar calibur. Same deal here. It's VH. They are back. The song rocks and at the end of the song, I feel satisfied and eager to hear more because after all, when Ed and Sam hookup, it's almost impossible for anything not to sound good...

One thing I can say for this song is that it is as good as anything on the V.H.3 record.

One thing I can say for this song is that it is as good as anything on the V.H.3 record

V.H. 3 has it's moments, but the feel is WAY different to anything done by VH previously....It's About Time has a much more traditional feel with a beefed up sound...and consequently kicks VH 3 hard up the arse

What, even 'How many say I'???

Come on troops, we've spent so long BITCHING and MOANING about the band not getting back together and when they do there is so much negativity!

(IMHO) I think the song is f****g brilliant!

WHY? Well, like it was previously mentioned it has the same vibe as "Humans". Also I was so worried after hearing the crap that was VHIII that they had "lost" their ability to write great rocking numbers. This has all the hallmarks of a great VH tune with the big BVs, chunking sound big Al's "brown sound" etc. Sam sounds in immense form too. Welcome back sir!

My only criticism is a lack of Mikey's "bottom end" rumble, but I wont pass final judgement until ive heard the final mix/mastered version on the CD.

As for the 6 years comment ... it is a little unfair. Remember Sam did literally just come in a sing over the top of these tunes. Ed probably had so much shit to let him hear that he maybe got vocal ideas when he heard this one ... that is how some bands work guys!

Someone made the comment that he wishes ed would go back to the ol' Marshall sound. WHAT??? The guy has been using THIS sound for years and it kicks the s**t outta the ol' dated 70s sound that appeared on the first album. Essentially the tone has always been similiar but now ED'S got his geetar sounding the way he wants it, and isnt that important? I'd be pissed if someone wanted me to sound a particular way, "f**k you I'll sound the way I want to sound man!".

Anyway, my two cents worth ... or since I'm in Scotland ... ma too pennies wurf ya shower ahhhh robin b*****s!

I'M JUST STOKED THAT THEY ARE BACK TOGETHER ... HERE'S HOPING FOR A SUCCESSFUL TOUR AND BEST OF ... WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A EUROPEAN TOUR AND A NEW RECORD