A Different Kind of Truth
by Van Halen
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 3 out of 33
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  1. Kenmei
    Feb 7, 2012
    6
    I will preface this by saying that I'm not the biggest Van Halen fan out there. This album did what Eddie and DLR wanted to accomplish and that was to make a Van Halen record that sounded like their earliest stuff. However their age is showing pretty much everywhere throughout the record. Dave sounds only ok at the best of times and completely awful at the worst of times. There is veryI will preface this by saying that I'm not the biggest Van Halen fan out there. This album did what Eddie and DLR wanted to accomplish and that was to make a Van Halen record that sounded like their earliest stuff. However their age is showing pretty much everywhere throughout the record. Dave sounds only ok at the best of times and completely awful at the worst of times. There is very little to no keyboards in the entire album and the guitar is fairly hit or miss. The really good songs have some awesome guitar parts but they don't last throughout the entire album. However if there's one thing that this record has it's that Van Halen sound. While it might take a bit to get over how bad Dave can sound on certain songs, any Van Halen fan will definitely be able to hear that classic Van Halen song and this album could have been really good if it had been made around the time where these guys were in their prime. However at this time both Eddie and Diamond Dave are showing their age and it's fairly evident, especially for Dave, throughout the entire album and that really sets this comeback album back quite a bit. Still it's worth a listen too, or a buy if your a really big Van Halen fan.… Expand
  2. dragonbillz
    Feb 15, 2012
    6
    Nothing really original here. The sound isn't that good and I was expecting some crazy guitar riffs and thrills. This release was bland and I could have easily missed it. I wanted powerful guitar solos that would make me exited to hear more. This is not what I expected from the master of guitars.

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Most Discussed Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Mojo
    Mar 22, 2012
    40
    A disappointment. [Apr 2012, p.88]
  2. Metal Hammer (UK)
    Mar 19, 2012
    60
    Even though it's good to see Van Halen up and around, A Different Kind Of Truth is not the resurrection that we all dared to dream of. [Apr 2012, p.102]
  3. The Quietus
    Mar 13, 2012
    70
    Once you're past the confusion of any preconceptions, it's a solid rock album.
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