AmsterDAM, Al’s Got Wood
Devoted VH fans may know (should know) that Alex Van Halen coined the “brown” term now famously associated with his brother Ed’s woody guitar tone. Al used it to describe his snare sound, something like “brown, like beating on a log.”
If that’s not woody, I don’t know what is.
Al has probably the most recognizable snare (and hi-hat) sound in the biz, at least to the ears of non-drummers. It’s that “wock” sound – check it out here in the tune I’ll Wait off VH’s 1984 album.
Does it make complete sense that the other VH brother, the older one, also would be a fanatic about tone, about his sound? You bet. Alex also is one of the best rock drummers ever. His musicianship would be a lot more lauded were it not for the fact that Ed was in the same band. Doesn’t change Al’s talent or amazing playing, just the position of the spotlight.
I’d love to hear Al play outside of VH, but I’ll take what I can get – because it’s usually amazing.
Don’t believe it? Check out the drumming (and guit-playing) in Amsterdam, one of my favorite post-Dave tunes. Who but Al would play like that? Conversely, imagine straight-ahead drumming on that tune. Wouldn’t be nearly as good, even with Ed doing his stuff.
Speaking of Ed, I wouldn’t call the guitar sound on this track “woody,” but I would call it luscious and thick but sharp, in a way – like a milk shake jammed between two spinning circular saws.
AmsterDAM, my bruthas!
Category: Alex Van Halen
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