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Van Halen‘s 1998 album Van Halen III isn’t exactly regarded as a shining gem of the band’s discography. Van Halen III is the only Van Halen record to feature Extreme lead vocalist Gary Cherone, is the final Van Halen album to feature bassist Michael Anthony, and is the band’s longest record at 65 minutes. Van Halen III has been called an Eddie Van Halen solo album in the past and wasn’t exactly a mainstay for live shows.
But is Van Halen III really that bad? The short answer is no. The long answer is a totally re-edited version by musician Kevin Brown and podcaster Scott Monroe, who recently started his own podcast named Regading Van Halen 3. The edited version trims Van Halen III down to 41 minutes and 10 tracks, focusing on what Monroe told Van Halen News Desk “more tightly focused on its strengths.”
Monroe added: “This in no way is intended to criticize Eddie or suggest we know better. I came at this from a place of love… This exercise is about re-imagining how the music could have been further molded… and perhaps made more accessible to the Van Halen fanbase.”
Stream it below! Oh, and if you’re wondering why the rework is only 10 tracks instead of the original 12, it’s because Monroe didn’t feel “Once” or “Primary” really fit into the new, tighter running order.
