Listen Up Gen Xers: Satan Ain’t (Taylor) Swift
I first heard about Slayer in a church in Mississippi. The sermon warned of metal’s Satanic influence. Now we old head-banging Gen Xers are afraid of Taylor Swift?
van halen
Van Halen’s ‘1984’ Represents the Past, Present, and Future
The era of hard rock and metal Van Halen ushered peaked and fell when the 1980s ended, but comes back again as classic rock for today’s 13-year-olds.
Van Halen Debuted in the 1970s But Represented the Best of the 1980s
The 1980s began on 10 February 1978, with the release of Van Halen’s self-titled debut album, now celebrating its 45th anniversary.
Eddie Van Halen Inspired a Generation of Guitar Dreamers
Thank you for your life, Eddie Van Halen. Long live the music, the joy, and all the little dreamers you inspired.
Learning to Take a Picture: An Interview With Inara George
Inara George is unafraid to explore life's more difficult and tender moments. Discussion of her latest music, The Youth of Angst, leads to stories of working with Van Dyke Parks and getting David Lee Roth's musical approval.
Finally Unchained: the bird and the bee Tackle Van Halen’s Legacy
In 2010, the quirky electropop outfit the bird and the bee scored a hit with an album of Hall & Oates covers. Now, almost a decade later, the duo reinvent the hair metal machismo of Van Halen into one of the most joyous albums you'll hear all year.
Van Halen’s Hard Rock Party Is Not to Be Outdone
Van Halen, helmed by a vivacious David Lee Roth and a steady Eddie Van Halen, put on a fine, festive old-school hard rock party not to be outdone. The good times have not gone anywhere!
The High Art of Disownership in ‘Death Sentence: London’
Death Sentence: London is quite possibly the most important work of 2015.
Everything Has Changed, Nothing Has Changed: Music in a Post-9/11 World
The attacks of 9/11 may have caused a noticeable shift in the lyrical content of musicians and even sonic changes in the short term, but, in the end, normalcy finds a way to settle in.
Counterbalance: ‘Van Halen’
(Dedicate one to the ladies...) This week's Counterbalance found the simple life ain't so simple, when it jumped out on the road. We're taking a look at Van Halen's 1978 debut album, which we're told is living at a pace that kills.
Knowing When to Indulge the Rock-Out Impulse
Making the big dumb rock gesture isn't always the cool thing to do. But a good musician always knows when it's best to do it anyway.