Van Halen just recently released their first single “Tattoo” off their new album A Different Kind of Truth, due to be released on February 7.

It’s been over fifteen years since David Lee Roth fronted Van Halen and now they’re back to make music history – maybe.

Tattoo has everything from David Lee Roth’s soaring vocals to Eddie Van Halen’s magical fingers on guitar, and everything else in between, including a good solid backbeat.

So why do so many fans not like it?

It’s definitely not Van Halen’s more aggressive and raw sound that hardcore fans are looking for. It’s missing Michael Anthony on bass, but Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang does a decent job.

Could it be that the song is more reminiscent of a Diamond Dave tune? I don’t think so.

Here are a couple of the comments out there in the ether.

“Crappy un-imaginative song, Crappy un-imaginative video………..This sucks! I really was hoping to like what I heard but I’m pretty let down that this is the best they could come up with. Van Halen 4?”

“it’s almost immediately forgettable regardless of a solid Eddie Van Halen guitar solo, but it’s otherwise bathroom-break material for the upcoming tour.”

I do know that the tune has that likability factor. You know those songs you hear the first time and say, “Whatever, it’s ok.” but on subsequent listens you start to think, “Wow, this really is a good song.” You find yourself driving to work humming the song, and before you know it you can’t get it out of your head.

Roth definitely shines, not only on the track, but in the video as well, with his signature flamboyant personality, Roth energetically dances from one side of the stage to the other throughout the video.

For the fans that want the old Van Halen? This is the old Van Halen. “Tattoo” shares the main riff and basic verse structure with ‘Down in Flames,’ which Van Halen performed several times on the band’s 1978 tour, but never made it onto an album.

While many think this song doesn’t quite hit the mark, I believe it does. Only time will tell.

Now we have to wait until February 7 to hear the rest of the album. In the meantime, I’m headed out to get a new tat!

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Randy Miramontez - Downtown Sacramento - Bay Area Concerts