10 Albums We Waited An Eternity To Get
3. A Different Kind of Truth - Van Halen
Wait: 14 Years
On the surface, Van Halen seems like the most fun loving rock band to have ever hit the rock scene. Sure, the band has tons of technical prowess, but every song feels like being invited to a big party with these four guys as your hosts of mayhem. On the other hand, things were often much more pleasant onstage then off.
The one issue with Van Halen has always been the lead singer, with David Lee Roth being kicked out in 1984. Though the band seemed to be able to thrive with newcomer Sammy Hagar behind the mic, even he got fed up with the internal craziness after a while. Once the band's second resurrection with Gary Cherone failed on Van Halen III, it felt like the band had really said all they had to say.
The band did end up reconciling with Roth for a tour in the early '00s, but the idea of a new album was questionable at best. However, it was Eddie's son Wolfgang who insisted on getting the band back in the studio to record some songs. Coming after years of silence, this felt like a band free from any inhibitions playing just for their love of music. Everything might not hit as hard as their glory years, but even these old dogs were able to wow us on A Different Kind of Truth.