Van Halen's "A Different Kind of Truth'

Eddie Van Halen is a guitar virtuoso. David Lee Roth is a master showman.

On "A Different Kind of Truth" (Interscope), the first Van Halen album featuring both of them since "1984" 28 years ago, the duo -- along with Van Halen's son, Wolfgang, on bass, and brother, Alex, on drums -- is in fine form.

From start to finish, Eddie Van Halen fires off one memorable solo after another, putting to rest any worries about how he would fare after his stint in rehab in 2007. When Roth's lyrics struggle, as they do in the single "Tattoo," Van Halen's guitarwork keeps the whole thing from sinking. When Roth is at his best, as he is in the raucous, hardcore-punk-meets-"Panama" hard-charger "As Is" and the heavy-metal ode to his adopted home of New York "China Town," he and Van Halen push each other to dizzying heights, resulting in pure magic.

There's plenty of rock radio staples here as well, from the raging "She's the Woman" and "Big River" to the anthem-like "Blood and Fire." Some of these songs may be reworkings of Van Halen material that's been kicking around since the '70s, but they work so well today, what does it matter? "A Different Kind of Truth" marks the legendary band's welcome return.

VAN HALEN

"A Different Kind of Truth"

GRADE B

BOTTOM LINE

A grand, if uneven, reunion of rock heroes