'The Best Of Both Worlds' is the second compilation from Van Halen, following on from the 1996 release of 'Best of Volume 1' and serves as a vehicle to reintroduce the band to the public after a long spell in the 'Where Are They Now' department.

You simply can't ignore the quality of the songs on offer on this record. , with tracks split fairly evenly between Roth era and original Hagar era, Van Halen have been responsible for some of the best music to surface over the last three decades. What we can quibble about is the fact that every single track on 'Best Of Volume 1', with the exception of the three new tracks on that album, appears on this CD as well. Any Van Halen fan worth their salt owns everything on this release bar the three new songs recorded with the returning Hagar. Therefore the only thing that can be really be reviewed are these new songs.

First up is 'It's About Time'. The song starts with some heavy staccato guitar riffing, before dropping into familiar territory and it could easily have been lifted from the 5150 sessions. The second new track, 'Up For Breakfast' starts with a familiar keyboard piece straight from 'Why can't This be Love' . The lyrics are somewhat cheesy with as many euphemisms for sex as you possibly imagine thrown into both verse and chorus. That said the song is certainly catchy and the guitar solo proves that despite all of the negatives in recent times for Edward Van Halen, he still has the chops. The final new song is 'Learning To See' is a much more mature song. Hagar sings the melodic verses beautifully and with real feeling. The chorus is heavier, but remains equally as good. definitely the best of the three new tracks.

It should be noted that seemingly bassist Michael Anthony was not involved in the three new songs at all. At times his vocal presence is missed as the harmonies are nowhere near as good as on other Van Halen work. The band also seem to have completely disassociated themselves from the Gary Cherone era, not only does 'Best of Both World' not contain any songs from the VH III album, but the record fails to be even mentioned in the discography section of the sleeve notes.

In fairness to this album I am going to give it two different marks, one for the quality of music on offer and the second for Value For Money, based on the choice of tracks included.

9/10 For Music but only 3/10 for Value For Money

Let us know your views on 'The Best of Both Worlds'

Track List

Eruption
It's About Time
Up For Breakfast
Learning To See
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Finish What Ya Started
You Really Got Me
Dreams
Hot For Teacher
Poundcake
And The Cradle Will Rock
Black And Blue
Jump
Top Of The World
(Oh) Pretty Woman
Love Walks In
Beautiful Girls
Can't Stop Lovin' You
Unchained

Line Up

David Lee Roth - Lead Vocals
Sammy Hagar - Lead Vocals
Edward Van Halen - Guitars
Michael Anthony - Bass
Alex Van Halen - Drums