Change Your Image
pimpin_
Dictator
n 1: someone who rules unconstrained by law 2. An absolute ruler. 3. A tyrant; a despot.
Dead Kennedys rule.
Reviews
Van Halen: Video Hits Vol. 1 (1996)
Not enough Roth
Unfortunately, this video compilation was not put together by a true Van Halen fan. It appears that some dude at Warner Bros. just haphazardly slapped together some videos to go alongside the release of the disappointing 1996 "Van Halen: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1" CD.
The first three videos ("Jump", "Panama", "Hot for Teacher") have rightfully taken their place as some of the all-time greatest music videos. The DIY, powerfully simple "Jump", the goofy "Panama" and the outrageously hilarious "Hot for Teacher" (featuring a persecuted nerd named Waldo, child stand-ins for Dave, Eddie, Alex & Michael, and three of the most ridiculously gorgeous "teachers" you'll ever see: two clad in skimpy bikinis, one as a dominatrix) make this DVD worth watching.
Then, if you have the stomach for it, watch Van Halen metamorphosize into cheeseball "Van Hagar" once the Red Rocker takes over and then metamorphosize again into the horrific "Van Has-Been" as Gary Cherone takes the helm.
It was mildly interesting to see the Van Hagar video of their performance of the putrid "Dreams" at the Whisky-a-Go-Go, which is NOT located in downtown L.A. (as one Amazon reviewer erroneously puts it), but about 10 miles west of there on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, CA. Actually, I only included this paragraph as a geography lesson. Sorry.
Also noteworthy is the absence of the bizarre, low-budget "Oh! Pretty Woman" video dating from 1982 which features Roth as Napoleon Bonaparte and the rest of the band looking like members of the Village People. It's not a glaring omission, but something worth noting.