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VAN HALEN – 5150
Van Halen – 5150 (1986, Warner Bros. Records)
1. “Good Enough” … 4:04
2. “Why Can’t This Be Love” … 3:47
3. “Get Up” … 4:37
4. “Dreams” … 4:54
5. “Summer Nights” … 5:06
6. “Best of Both Worlds” … 4:48
7. “Love Walks In” … 5:11
8. “5150″ … 5:44
9. “Inside” … 5:02
Band:
Sammy Hagar – Vocals, Guitar
Eddie Van Halen – Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Michael Anthony – Bass, Backing Vocals
Alex Van Halen – Drums, Percussion
Produced by: Mick Jones, Don Landee, Van Halen
Ladies and gentlemen, David Lee Roth has left the building!
I prefer Roth-era Van Halen, but Van Hagar kicked off to a very promising start with this release, which I would rank right behind For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge for the Hagar albums.
“Why Can’t This Be Love”, “Love Walks In” and “Dreams” had been three of my favorite Van Halen songs since before I was even heavily into the band. It spelled out the change in the direction towards an adult contemporary sound the band would explore even more on the slightly disappointing OU812, but they are still great songs.
“Best of Both Worlds” is another VH classic, regardless of which era you prefer and “Get Up” is a tremendous rocker which would’ve been a great album opener.
This was the last VH album I needed to complete my collection and I got it probably 5 years ago or so. Well, honestly, I still have never picked up the Gary Cherone fronted Van Halen III, but I’ve heard enough to know it’s horrible and that I’ll probably never pick it up. I held off for so long just because I was so familiar already with “Love Walks In”, “Dreams”, “Why Can’t This Be Love” and “Best of Both Worlds” that I was in no urgent rush to hear the rest.
The album would eventually go platinum six times over and was Van Halen’s FIRST album to hit #1 on the Billboard charts.
Highlights: “Why Can’t This Be Love”, “Get Up”, “Dreams”, “Summer Nights”, “Best of Both Worlds”, “Love Walks In”
CHICKENFOOT – Chickenfoot
Chickenfoot – Chickenfoot (2009, Redline Entertainment)
1. “Avenida Revolution” … 5:56
2. “Soap on a Rope” … 5:32
3. “Sexy Little Thing” … 4:14
4. “Oh Yeah” … 4:54
5. “Runnin’ Out” … 3:52
6. “Get It Up” … 4:41
7. “Down the Drain” … 6:17
8. “My Kinda Girl” … 4:32
9. “Learning to Fall” … 5:13
10. “Turnin’ Left” … 5:48
11. “Future in the Past” … 6:38
Band:
Sammy Hagar – Vocals
Joe Satriani – Guitar, Bass, Harmonica
Michael Anthony – Bass, Backing Vocals
Chad Smith – Drums, Percussion
Produced by: Chickenfoot and Andy Johns
With a name like Chickenfoot, you’d think this was a Buckethead project/album.
I’ve already seen tons of reviews trashing this album, talking about the lack of chemistry, “sub-Metallica” tunes like “Avenida Revolution” (WTF does that even mean?) and the restrained, unemotional playing of Joe Satriani. Well, this album isn’t a home run, but don’t let the critics fool you, it’s a GOOD album.
The whole album is pretty much on par with “Soap on a Rope” and “Down the Drain”, both were songs that the band released months ago for streaming online. If you like those songs, you’ll like the rest. It took me quite a few spins to get into the album, but now I”m picking it apart and liking it a lot. I didn’t like “Soap on a Rope” or “Down the Drain” all that much when I first heard those either, but now they’ve grown on me too.
Basically, to me, this album sounds like a Sammy Hagar solo disc with a few Van Halen tunes thrown in. By the way, how great is it to hear Michael Anthony backing Hagar on vocals again? The songs that remind me most of Van Halen are “Sexy Little Thing” (which is the best song on the album, IMO), “Oh Yeah”, “Runnin’ Out” and “My Kind Girl”.
The rest seems like what you might hear from Sammy Hagar as a solo act– it’s a mix of good time party rock and songs with a message about love, life and the state of the world.
I’m a bit dismayed Satriani doesn’t have much more to do on this album. Sure, he has his moments, but his playing is definitely more restrained than I thought it would be. Not that the guitar should be the star of the album, but I figured we get a few more smokin’ solos and we don’t. He’s plays for the songs and the songs only.
For the amount of talent of the band, I had really high hopes. I think everyone did. And while it wasn’t quite Van Halen + Joe Satriani + Red Hot Chili Peppers, it’s still a darn good party rock album and I hope this band will not be a one-time deal.
In a smart move, this release was a Best Buy exclusive. Not that I think it’s smart to go exclusive with Best Buy (who REALLY dropped the ball with Chinese Democracy), but going exclusive is a safer bet in today’s musical climate for veteran acts and artists.
The front/back covers are pretty cool. They are heat sensitive and go from black to revealing the band members on the front and the track listing on the back. Nice, fun touch.
Highlights: “Soap on a Rope” “Sexy Little Thing”, “Oh Yeah”, “Runnin’ Out”, “Down the Drain”, “My Kinda Girl”, “Learning to Fall”
VAN HALEN – Van Halen II
Van Halen – Van Halen II (1979, Warner Bros. Records)
1. “You’re No Good” … 3:16
2. “Dance the Night Away” … 3:06
3. “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” … 2:52
4. “Bottoms Up!” … 3:05
5. “Outta Love Again” … 2:51
6. “Light Up the Sky” … 3:13
7. “Spanish Fly” … 1:00
8. “D.O.A.” … 4:09
9. “Women in Love…” … 4:08
10. “Beautiful Girls” … 3:56
Band:
David Lee Roth – Lead Vocals
Eddie Van Halen – Guitar , Backing Vocals
Michael Anthony – Bass, Backing Vocals
Alex Van Halen – Drums
Produced by: Ted Templeman
This album is nearly as flawless as Van Halen I, but lacks the bite of that debut album. Still an amazing record, and the album still resembles their debut, but the songs take on a slightly more pop sheen. Van Halen was one of the main templates for the 80s pop metal scene and this album, more than their debut, has much in common with that era, I think.
From top to bottom, it ranks as one of the best hard rock albums of all-time.
Highlights: All of it
Chickenfoot Streaming Two Songs Online
Chickenfoot, the rock super group featuring Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony (ex-Van Halen) and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), now has two songs up for streaming on their MySpace page and official website.
It’s good stuff, but I don’t understand why Sammy felt he had to hype of up their music as the equivalent of Van Halen and Led Zeppelin, because it’s definitely not.
“Soap On A Rope” reminds me a bit of early 90s Van Halen, but that’s about it. Really cool to hear Michael Anthony on backing vocals and Satch in an actual band environment. =)
“Down the Drain” is my favorite of the two songs.
What do you think?
SAMMY HAGAR AND THE WABORITAS – Red Voodoo
Sammy Hagar and the Waboritas – Red Voodoo (1999, MCA Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Mas Tequila” … 4:11
2. “Shag” … 3:34
3. “Sympathy for the Human” … 4:48
4. “Red Voodoo” … 3:49
5. “Lay Your Hand on Me” … 4:09
6. “High and Dry Again” … 5:35
7. “The Revival” … 3:39
8. “Don’t Fight It (Feel It)” … 3:11
9. “The Love” … 4:07
10. “Right on Right” … 5:22
11. “Returning of the Wish” … 5:54
Band:
Sammy Hagar: Vocals, Guitar
Victor Johnson: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mona: Bass, Backing Vocals
David Lauser: Drums, Backing Vocals
Jesse Harms: Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Additional Musicians:
Roy Rogers – Guitar
Tower of Power Horn Section – Horns
Produced by: Sammy Hagar & Jesse Harms
I’ve always had a problem getting into Hagar’s solo stuff. Great voice and a great guy from what it seems, but in my opinion, his solo material quality has never matched the his voice quality.
There’s definitely some good songs on here though, even if half the album is filler. “Mas Tequila” is incredibly infectious (and I don’t even drink!), “High and Dry Again” is a Hagar-penned AC/DC song practically, and “The Love” would’ve fit right at home on Van Halen’s OU812 or For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.
I was pretty excited about this album (Sammy’s first with the Waboritas) because I had really become a huge Van Halen a few years earlier, but I remember being very letdown after hearing this.
VH1 endlessly hyped the album through their lame late night ‘VH1 Rock Show’ because “Mas Tequila” seemed to be one of the few videos the show aired (I remember Fuel’s “Shimmer” being another constant).
Highlights: “Mas Tequila”, “Shag”, “Lay Your Hand on Me”, “High and Dry Again”, “The Love”, “Returning of the Wish”
www.redrocker.com
www.myspace.com/sammyhagar
VAN HALEN – Van Halen
Van Halen – Van Halen (1978, Warner Bros. Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Runnin’ with the Devil” … 3:35
2. “Eruption” … 1:42
3. “You Really Got Me” … 2:38
4. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” … 3:49
5. “I’m the One” … 3:46
6. “Jamie’s Cryin’” … 3:29
7. “Atomic Punk” … 3:03
8. “Feel Your Love Tonight” … 3:42
9. “Little Dreamer” … 3:23
10. “Ice Cream Man” … 3:19
11. “On Fire” … 2:57
Band:
David Lee Roth – Lead Vocals
Eddie Van Halen – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Michael Anthony – Bass, Backing Vocals
Alex Van Halen – Drums, Backing Vocals
Produced by: Ted Templeman
For debuts, or just for albums in general, it’s tough to beat this one. Even to this day, for as much as Eddie’s guitar blew everyone away in ’78, it’s still amazing to listen to today and reflect back on how the other guitarists were playing at the time and realize just how different and better he really was than anyone else. EVH and his band changed the game and alongside Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, KISS and Alice Cooper, they were setting the template for the 80s rock scene as the godfathers of hair metal. And that’s something we could never repay for them for. =)
Four singles were released for the album, but any rock radio station worth their salt plays virtually any song from this classic release. And what would come sort of a calling card for the band, they pull out two great covers, making them their own: the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” and John Brim’s “Ice Cream Man”.
What else can I say? One of the greatest rock albums of all time!
Highlights: Everything
OVER THE TOP – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Over The Top – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1987, Columbia Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Winner Takes It All” (Sammy Hagar) … 3:58
2. “In This Country” (Robin Zander) … 4:22
3. “Take It Higher” (Larry Greene) … 3:53
4. “All I Need Is You” (Big Trouble) … 3:57
5. “Bad Nite” (Frank Stallone) … 3:05
6. “Meet Me Half Way” (Kenny Loggins) … 3:39
7. “Gypsy Soul” (Asia) … 3:30
8. “The Fight” (Giorgio Moroder) … 3:56
9. “Mind over Matter” (Larry Greene) … 3:11
10. “I Will Be Strong” (Eddie Money) … 3:18
Produced by: Giorgio Moroder
Enjoyable movie but standard 80s rock/pop soundtrack fare outside of Hagar’s “Winner Takes It All” (which features Edward Van Halen on guitar AND bass). Good song and I hear it just about every night at work.
Sly’s bro, Frank, gets a slot on the soundtrack as well. Hmm… I wonder why?
Highlights: “Winner Takes It All”, “In This Country”, “Meet Me Half Way”
VAN HALEN – For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
Van Halen – For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991, Warner Bros. Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Poundcake” … 5:22
2. “Judgement Day” … 4:41
3. “Spanked” … 4:53
4. “Runaround” … 4:21
5. “Pleasure Dome” … 6:57
6. “In ‘n’ Out” … 6:05
7. “Man on a Mission” … 5:04
8. “The Dream Is Over” … 4:00
9. “Right Now” … 5:21
10. “316″ … 1:29
11. “Top of the World” … 3:55
Band:
Sammy Hagar – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Eddie Van Halen – Guitar, Keyboard, Backing Vocals
Michael Anthony – Bass, Backing Vocals
Alex Van Halen – Drums, Percussion
Produced by: Andy Johns, Ted Templeman and Van Halen
My favorite album from the Van Hagar-era. It’s a welcome and definite return to their hard rockin’ DLR party sound with longtime VH producer Ted Templeton returning alongside the legendary Andy Johns. David Lee Roth once said Van Halen forgot how to party once he left, this album proves him wrong. Songs like “Poundcake”, “Spanked” and “Man On A Mission” are right up there with the sex-charged songs in the early VH catalog. And if that’s not enough, just take a look at the album’s title and the initials for it.
Who remembers the classic “Right Now” from those Crystal Pepsi commercials? MMM… I miss Crystal Pepsi.
Highlights: All of it. Seriously, I love every song here and the album is right up there with the best of the DLR years.
DAVID LEE ROTH – Eat ‘Em And Smile
David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em and Smile (1986, Warner Bros. Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Yankee Rose” … 3:47
2. “Shy Boy” … 3:23
3. “I’m Easy” … 2:03
4. “Ladies’ Nite in Buffalo?” … 4:08
5. “Goin’ Crazy!” … 3:21
6. “Tobacco Road” … 2:27
7. “Elephant Gun” … 2:23
8. “Big Trouble” … 3:56
9. “Bump and Grind” … 2:42
10. “That’s Life” … 2:29
Band:
David Lee Roth – Vocals
Steve Vai – Guitars
Billy Sheehan – Bass, Background Vocals
Gregg Bissonette – Drums, Background Vocals
Additional Musicians:
Sammy Figueroa – Percussion
Lee Herschberg – Strings, Horn
Jesse Harms – Synthesizer, Keyboard, Piano
Jeff Bova – Synthesizer
The Waters Family – Backing Vocals
Produced by: Ted Templeton
DLR’s first full-length effort has him doing his best to make the album sound like Van Halen (alongside veteran VH producer Ted Templeton) while adding a bit more of that Roth humor and silliness and a glossy pop-metal sound. I love Dave, but I prefer him in VH. His solo albums are best taken in small doses. “Yankee Rose” and “Goin’ Crazy!” are absolute classics though.
Highlights: “Yankee Rose”, “I’m Easy”, ”Ladies’ Night in Buffalo?”, “Goin’ Crazy!”, ”That’s Life”
www.davidleeroth.com
www.van-halen.com
