Van Halen - Why Can't This Be Love? (cover)

AAAAAAHHHHHHHH, how I FUCKING love this cover, hear me out!!! I love the original, too, but this cover, dear Reader.... this is not only mouth-watering, not only heart-throbbing, it's like a chocolate-cherry flavored kiss on a tropical night.

I by default love Van Halen. One of my very first original rock/metal albums I could purchase back then, in the very early 90's was Van Halen's "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" on a cassette. I remember how much Sammy Hagar's powerful, strong and versatile voice fascinated me, how much I loved his "rock opera" alike singing.

When I got to know about this cover by Cygnus, I have already known them well enough to be sure about the perfect quality of it. And not only I wasn't disappointed, but I got a treasurous gift with it, a cover song that is better than the original (with all due respect to Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and the Van Halen brothers, Eddie and Alex). This is the truth.

The song starts with the now iconic intro, brought by Reny, then the other three enter smashing, with all their power and might. The drums are flavorful, the bass is nuclear

a relatively easy bass theme, as much as I could figure out, but Deneb adds his very own style to it later on

the guitar is heavy - Blu, with his forever precision and elegance - and then enters Ruxx with the vocals.

Dear Reader, I have to stop here for a while.

We all know very well what a genius rock singer Sammy Hagar is. His distinctive, recognizable voice has been a trademark, along with his vocal range. He has his own place in the history of rock, and his indefeasible impact on many aspiring and advanced rock singers all over the world. We all know it, we don't need to get into details about it.

What Ruxx is doing here, well, feel free to look at me with nasty eyes or think all sorts of nasty things about me. It's all okay, I can live with it. I still keep myself to what I think, and I do think, and I say it out loud that Ruxx's voice outshines Sammy Hagar and his performance. This is the truth. This Colombian drummer-singer here has such a sweeping, enchanting, bold, fiery voice that makes even the dead rise up from their graves - in case they were cremated, their ashes get together again and crawl out of their urns. This voice, dear Reader, this is the audio equivalent of blood and sunshine. Full of life, full of power, full of restless, urging enthusiasm, full of warmth and hope. This voice, dear Reader, heals. You listen to it twice and your mental illnesses are gone. You listen to it once again, you feel your blood running through your veins. You listen to it one more time and you realize you can't live without it anymore.

And it's just the beginning!

The other musicians do a perfect job, each and every one of them, this way Ruxx's unbelievable vocals get highlighted even more. The rhythm section is massive; you see, hear and sense

if your ears and heart are open enough

how much these two wonderful musicians, Ruxx and Deneb feel each other and think alike.

Yes, I know that it's "just a cover" 

let's make it clear, "just cover" songs don't exist, every single song has its heart, soul, life and impact, may it be a band's own song or a cover song - I can come up with "Sonne" as an example, those of you who know it, will know what I mean, those who have no idea, well, perhaps it's for the better

but I do think and I stick to this point of view that cover songs are a real measure about how a band, and especially how the rhythm section can keep together and think alike - and I know that you know what I mean

Yes, you, who else? :)

This is one of those songs where Reny steps out of the shadow and can show his real qualities. Accurate, highly skilled and reliable, and I can tell you, dear Reader, this is a special opportunity to witness Reny and the nature of his talent, because in most of the covers he humbly stays in the background. But since this song is originally led by a very strong synth/keyboard theme, the Mexican can finally share the great value of all that he adds to Cygnus's cover songs.

Blu just enjoys it, and you see it on him. But knowing the old wisdom about skilled and experienced musicians

the easier a musician seemingly plays, the more practice, renunciation, tears, sweat and blood there is behind their performance

do not be fooled by Blu's apparent play with the highest ease. 

Pay respect to him. He deserves it.

Then comes the chorus, when Deneb joins Ruxx, and this is again another chance to admire what a beautiful harmony their voices make. Ruxx's sharp, powerful tenor backed by Deneb's mellow, rich baritone is always a treat for the ears - and hearts - that are wide open enough.

I know many of you, average music consumers can't even distinguish between their voices 😒 this cover is definitely not for you

All the instruments are at their top with these warm, heart-throbbing male voices leading them.

Let them mesmerize you, dear Reader. Let these wonderful two men take you by your hand and share this magic with you. Let the power and warmth of their voices pour over your head, let them warm up your freezing limbs and pale, joyless heart. Let them push new life into your veins.

Ruxx sings ahead and he won't allow you to hesitate, have doubts or stay uncertain. This energetic voice will grab you, whether you like it or not, you won't be able to resist, and it will wash every grain of confusion, fear and sadness out of you. It will not ask for your permission and it won't apologize either. Ruxx's voice has this nature and when you realize it, you're already addicted to it.

Then comes again the chorus with Ruxx and Deneb joining their forces. 

To tell you the truth, dear Reader, these choruses are by default smaller catharses. The perfect blend

(yes, it was intended)

of the voices of our favorite singers, their harmony, the beauty they together create. I know it stays unnoticed for the majority of people out there, but I keep it as one of the most wonderful moments of this cover.

Ruxx's drum fills here and then as the bridge continues, Deneb's bass arpeggio are the real, actual and true catharsis for this humble chronicler. I love them. I can't get enough of them. I know those dumbasses out there average music consumers will not recognize them. It doesn't matter. I found them. They are my gems now.

Then, after the bridge comes the solo and somehow I have a feeling that it has a slightly different flavor than the original.

It's very subtle, I keep up the possibility that it's only my ears, but I hear something. Well... Blu is precise and accurate, so is Reny.... 

Well, yes. It's the rhythm section, as always. The Secret Cygnus Flavor. The Chernobyl ingredient. Ruxx and the toms/timpani he is playing and all the thunderbolts he is making. The massive, radioactive bass that rumbles through the song and keeps it all on its shoulders.

And that SLIIIIIIIIIIDE🤤Deneb is doing before our two favorite Colombians take it all back...

The chorus returns with all the power, warmth and love it can hold in these two golden throats. 

before any of you out there misunderstands it (because I know you all way too well 😒), "golden throat" is an expression in my mother tongue for people who sing especially beautifully

They grab you. No, in fact you reach out for them at this point. They are full of passion, full of spirit, full of heart and soul. You yearn them. You long for them. You can't live without them anymore.

And the best is that you can take them to anywhere and they are always with you. 💓

...and the way Deneb throws his pick into the camera is priceless... go and catch it!