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Wolfgang Van Halen's Performance on A Different Kind of Truth - Thoughts?

Well,

I don't see a thread regarding this topic yet.. The new VH record has been out for a couple days now and this is worth talking about.

A different kind of truth has turned out to be a power punch of what the original VH was all about.. Having lots of fun playing High energy early heavy metal. Many conversations have been had about the ousting of Michael Anthony. What i'm hoping to focus on here is not that..not comparing MA to Wolfgang. I'd like to hear some thoughts by bass players who have closely listened through the new VH record and your thoughts on Wolfgang's first performance (on record) as the handler of the low end.

If you like Van Halen, especially the first incarnation of the band, and you've heard the single Tattoo and kind of dismissed the new record based on that.. which i almost did. Please! do yourself a favor and pick this record up! It is tour de force starting with the weakest song on the record and only getting better... And it's LOADED with gritty, inventive, risk taking bass playing in almost every tune.

In my opinion i think wolfgang's playing and creativity and youthful approach actually takes the band up a notch. Where before MA was mostly a simpler supportive player especially on the first 3 records, Wolfgang is pretty much on fire and brings it bigtime to every tune with inventive grooves, fills and super agressive gritty playing. It's a real treat to listen to this youngster sparring with his dad.

Your thoughts??
 
No way in hell is that Wolfgang on the album. The kid can't even play "You Really Got Me"...there's no WAY he's doing some of the runs on that new album. Impossible.

Anyone can learn to tap. It could easily be a 20 year old with some musacality playing on the record. Especially someone who has been steeped in this kind of influence. Btw he's a very impressive drummer too.
 
Anyone can learn to tap. It could easily be a 20 year old with some musacality playing on the record. Especially someone who has been steeped in this kind of influence. Btw he's a very impressive drummer too.

Again, not possible. One thing Wolfgang lacks is finesse, articulation, timing, vibrato, and feel when he plays the most SIMPLE of basslines. Listen to ANY live clip of him. He plays like Bobby Dall with three broken fingers.

The bass playing on this album is pure vintage Edward. Listen to Sammy Hagar's "I Never Said Goodbye" 1987 solo album where Edward played bass as well as most of VHIII. Same tone, same wide vibrato (similar to Yngwie's bass playing vibrato), same semi-distorted slightly mid-scooped tone, same type of simplistic bluesy-but-fast licks. Edward's bass playing has a certain touch and fluency that can instantly be identified...and it's all over "A Different Kind of Truth."

In fairness, Wolfgang's bass playing ALSO has a certain identifiable touch and fluency and can ALSO instantly be identified...by it's MASSIVE suckage...and it's completely ABSENT from "A Different Kind of Truth."
 
How about the sound quality? I popped the CD in and it sounded like someone threw a blanket over my speakers.
I don't know how good/bad the kid is, but there are a couple lines where the bass plays quick runs with the guitar, and it'd almost have to be the same person to be that sync'd.
But for me, the sound quality is very disappointing.
 
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audio is not the best but you can make out Wolf's playing......I think his playing is far better then "Bobby Dall with 3 broken finger's" I think the kids got some chops. With that said I have no idea if thats him playing on the album
 
Again, not possible. One thing Wolfgang lacks is finesse, articulation, timing, vibrato, and feel when he plays the most SIMPLE of basslines. Listen to ANY live clip of him. He plays like Bobby Dall with three broken fingers.




Totally ignorant statemant....It's probably not him on the cd..But any bass player thats seen "She's the Woman" from the Cafe Wa show knows the dude can play. I highy doubt a guitarist of Ed's caliber would play with someone onstage that is not up to par.
 
I don't care who played bass on the CD. It sounds good.

Instead of writing my own rant, I'll just +1 this one.

How about the sound quality? I popped the CD in and it sounded like someone threw a blanket over my speakers.
I don't know how good/bad the kid is, but there are a couple lines where the bass plays quick runs with the guitar, and it'd almost have to be the same person to be that sync'd.
But for me, the sound quality is very disappointing.

I ripped it and re-burned it with eq lol.