The Bird and the Bee – Interpreting The Masters Volume 2: A Tribute to Van Halen

The Bird and the Bee – Interpreting The Masters Volume 2: A Tribute to Van Halen
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Right, before we begin, I just want to clarify that I am by no means a Van Halen fan at all and therefore, I feel like the majority of this album is probably lost on me in that respect. An album that bases itself entirely on a band that I have never really listened or like for that matter is always going to be a difficult one to ‘review’. However, having said all this I did find myself kind of, sort of, maybe enjoying some of the songs just a little bit?

‘Runnin’ with the Devil’ is what can only be described as quite boppy. I found myself tapping along to it throughout, with George’s vocals and piano interludes making it a pleasant listen. Gone is the guitar that normally typifies Van Halen’s work, instead replaced by a more relaxed and chilled vibe that isn’t displeasing to the ear. It’s the type of song that gets stuck in your head all day, or as my dad said as he interrupted my listening is that it’s “different” but he “quite likes it”. Take from that what you will.

‘Hot for Teacher’, to me, had wayyyy too much going on for me. Clearly, this teacher is giving out way too much work for their students and they’ve become completely jumbled and managed to submit their homework on speed or something. A big no from me.

At times I felt like I was listening to some sort of piano concerto, a million miles away from typical Van Halen but not entirely horrible just not really me. The classic ‘Jump’ was a pleasant re-imagining of sorts that didn’t seem to stray too far away from the original. It left me feeling a little bored though? It wasn’t anything that spectacular or different but I guess not everything can be.

The bird and the bees tribute to Van Halen has good parts and bad parts. Yes, it’s imaginative and re-invents some of Van Halen’s big hits. It can be quite dance and pop-esque at times making for quite an enjoyable listen but it also has some more questionable choices and songs. I’m not sure I’m gonna reach for it that regularly unless I suddenly become a huge Van Halen fan. But let’s be honest, I don’t think that’s gonna happen anytime soon.

Haiku Review
Van Halen tribute,
Questionable at times but
Sometimes likeable.

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