Van Halen 'Unchained' - Vocal Coach Reaction and Analysis

Today we're listening to the song "Unchained" by Van Halen... audio-only for this reaction!

#vanhalen #reaction #vocalcoach

[erpece]

This song is pretty much what the original Van Halen was all about: great musicianship combined with loads of fun...

[joedanker]

That opening riff makes my nads rumble. So fantastic. It makes Unchained one of my top 5 favorite Van Halen song. Its just so GOOD.

[srtrocketship]

Eddie's legendary guitar tone just draws you in. The Brown Sound. He could play anything, drunk or sober. The King is dead, long live The King. He and Mr. Rhoads are my Heros. Miss 'em both. Let me not forget to pay respect to Dimebag. Eddie was his Hero as well.

[BrentNewlon]

Bassist Michael Anthony was definitely the secret sauce of Van Halen. He provided the high harmony backing vocals you're hearing. If you ever react to Hot for Teacher, I can assure you the video is just as entertaining as the song. RIP Edward Van Halen.

[suucat]

This was the first LP my father (may he RIP) bought me back in 81 when i was 12... thank you dad, i still have it.

[stevelucero]

This song as an opener DESTROYED the audience...

[Serenghettiguy]

David Lee Roth has always been a powerhouse and Eddie's playing are just simply magic... Legends...

[richardjohanson]

One of the best lyrics in rock “Blue-eyed murder in a size five dress”.

[johnr.]

One thing I always loved about the original Van Halen: not only could they play bone-crushing rock and roll (with one of the few guitarists I would consider a true game-changer in rock), they almost always had a sense of humor about it. The breakdown in this...."Hey, man that suit is YOU!"....always makes me smile. Their videos were hilarious (thanks, Pete Angelus) and they were a HUGE breath of fresh air in the barren rock and roll landscape of the '80's.

[Casterman]

Eddie is the architect of VHs music. His brother Alex is the pulse. Eddie grew up playing classical piano, but did not read. His musical memory was so good he could hear something and repeat it almost instantly. It took his teacher a while to realize what was going on. The house was a musical house and the family was from the Netherlands so Ed had exposure to classical composers, and show tunes. This musical soup is a big part of his timing. The show tunes especially. He was also influenced by early rock n roll. So his musical perspective is much different than the folks he influences daily. Seldom does he play a straight 4. He will swing and manipulate the pocket. Some of his solos are so fast and precise they sound like straight time, until you try to play them. Slowing things down in the computer, he’s swinging it. His melodic sensibility and ability to process notes and rhythm at lightening speed to where it comes out as organic pure rock n roll/rock is unmatched. He always stayed true to just regular ole rock. Hopefully that gives you some insight. It’s was all an extension of him. It just came out, and has influenced millions of people. RIP SAINT EDWARD

[glenncoleman]

The things you can’t explain is what makes music great. Van Halen the pinnacle of great rock songwriting

[leeperdue]

Great reaction! Van Halen was a big influence to my youth. David Lee Roth was a perfect frontman for the band, giving their sound a certain swagger and playfulness. He’s known for his screams and ad-libbed quips. I’ve heard his screams described as double harmonics (?). A song that showcases his screams is from their song “Runnin with the Devil” off their debut album. Also, it should be noted their bass player, Michael Anthony, provided fantastic background vocals. Michael has a very high voice.

[waynesmith]

This is my favorite song by Van Halen. I have been a fan as a teen in the ‘70’s.

[metalrules]

One of the best guitar intros ever. Eddie playing just off the beat a bit is part of what makes him one of the best players ever. The drummer is his brother and they had a chemistry that is just natural. It let's Eddie just freewheel around.

[LordEriolTolkien]

That guitar tone is a beast, the bass is deep and wide, and the drums superb as always, and Dave screams like no other

[metricdeep]

Vocal coach ignoring DLR and totally grooving to Eddie. I think she was even blushing a the first pause. Welcome to Van Halen my dear.

[edwardvaca]

That little string drag stutter she is speaking of is some of the secret sauce riffing Eddie does in this song. Good!

[glennsmiley]

My favorite VH song of all time. That opening riff is just killer and then pounds once MA kicks in🤘🤘🤘🤘

[chadjones]

Unchained is certainly a phenomenal start to diving into Van Halen’s catalog. While I could go on and on about which of their iconic tracks deserve an analysis, “Ice Cream Man” from their 1978 debut album is both incredible and so uniquely Van Halen. The first half of the song is Roth sing-talking in a Doo-Op style. So cool and in control but also having fun with it. Then the song ramps up to whatever setting exceeds overdrive. Eddie Van Halen’s fingers shred away and Roth explodes with an eruption of energy, charisma and swagger. The track perfectly encapsulates the 2 sides of Van Halen; a fun, not taking themselves so seriously effort combined with some of the finest technical rock North America has ever produced.

[RealDiehl]

The harmonies sound to me like a group of friends singing together at a bar when a song they all know plays on the juke box. It kind of invites the listener to sing along too, without worrying about sounding perfect.