Van Halen - 5150

As original Van Halen vocalist David Lee Roth quit the band to pursue a solo career, or was fired (depending on who you believe), Eddie and Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony carried on by hiring Sammy Hagar. Hagar was a middling artist on his own, but he proved to be a powerhouse when placed in front of hard rock's most muscular and innovative instrumental unit. On 5150--the title is police code for "escaped lunatic"--you can hear the band's excitement at having struck a winning combination. Songs such as "Why Can't This Be Love," "Dreams," "Best of Both Worlds," and "Love Walks In" combine to make this the early high-watermark of the Van Hagar era. --Daniel Durchholz Amazon.com essential recording

Pure Rock'n roll n' funiest riffs

This Van Halen cd is amazing. it's very 80's with the oberheim keyboard classic sound. The guitar riffs are great and it feels like a party. The guys sound like they're having fun. Includes classics like "Dreams", and "Summer Nights" from the Sammy Hagar era. For Van halen fan's and people who loves good good rock'nroll stuff is absolutely recommended. June 27, 2008

Van Halen - The Van Hagar Era Begins

And so, the Sammy Hagar years begin. After the departure of David Lee Roth the band took some time off and then announced that former Montrose and AOR solo artist Sammy Hagar would be joining the band on lead vocals and guitar. Personally I always liked Hager. Having seen him live several times I already knew he was an incredibly energetic performer, and from a strictly vocal chops department he could sing rings around David Lee Roth. The album sounds pretty much what you would think a mix of Van Halen and Sammy Hagar would sound like. I enjoy this one for the most part. The band head in a heavily pop direction in spots and like "1984" it is a very keyboard heavy album, but overall I like it. Yea the lyrics are never going to win a Pulitzer prize and much of the tongue and cheek humor of the Roth years is missing, but there are some good to great songs here and the band are in top form instrumentally. Some criticize the use of electronic drums on the disc, but they have never really bothered me. The album would be the first Van Halen album to go to number one and spawned a bunch of hits including "Why Can't This Be Love", "Dreams", "Summer Nights", "Best Of Both Worlds", and "Love Walks In". I like this album a lot better than "1984" and have always enjoyed the Van Hagar version of the band. June 9, 2008

Best Sammy Hagar Era Van Halen Album, 5150

This is way the best sammy hagar era van halen album, the other ones like 1988's OU812, just dosent compare to this album. This is a great classic rock 80s album and if you love 80s music i would recomend this album for any glam metal fans. Some of the best songs on this album are, Why Cant This Be Love, Best Of Both Worlds, Summer Nights, Dreams, and Love Walks In, etc. The reason i gave it 4 stars was because this era of van halen is not nearly as good as the david lee roth stuff, all those albums there are the best. But if you want to here this era of van halen than buy this album to get started on it. April 6, 2008

VERY BEST VAN HALEN RECORD WITH SAMMY!!

After Diamond David Lee Roth left Van Halen, or got fired depending on who you believe, the world was left to wonder was Van Halen, a band that had just achieved their most commercial success to date with 1984 was going to do? After Eddie asked Patti Smyth and she turned him down, I MEAN REALLY WHO COULD HAVE SEEN THAT, PATTI SMYTH ROCKIN' WITH VAN HALEN!! There is no disrespect intended I love Patti Smyth in Scandal, but not Van Halen. Anyways after that failed Eddie, Alex and Michael hired vetern rocker Sammy Hagar, who was also coming off his most commercially successful album, VOA. The result was 5150, the best Van Halen Record with Sammy in my and alot of other fans minds.

1. Good Enough 10-10 The beginning of this song borrows from the Big Boppers Chantilly Lace a song from back in the 1950's. Great song, bordering on the verge of thrash metal, kinda cheesy lyrics, but hey it was 1986.

2. Why Can't This Be Love 10-10 The most well known song from the record, it sounds kind of dated now with the synth hook and what not, but still a great Vah Halen song.

3. Get Up 8-10 Good song, really fast and up-tempo, just nothing really jumps out at you.

4. Dreams 10-10 Another of the best known songs from 5150, just a plain great song, very up-lifting and positive. This is one of the best songs from the Van Hagar era.

5. Summer Nights 10-10 Summer Nights is my favorite song from 5150, it is sort of a ballad I guess you would call it, but has a very infectous chorus. This song reminds me of back when I was a kid growing up, very bored and looking for anything to do.

6. Best Of Both Worlds 10-10 Really good song, and very catchy. One listen to this song and it is stuck in your head for hours. Sounds a little dated again, but it is a true rockin' gem.

7. Love Walks In 10-10 Here at last is another synth ladden ballad, but a very good synth ladden ballad. Good chorus and catchy riff, will not disaappoint.

8. 5150 8-10 This song never really grew on me, but I still like it, it's just not one of my favorites off the album.

9. Inside 8-10 Good closer, awesome song, it gets you pumped up and never lets go.

The one and only bad thing about this record is that it sounds like it was recorded in 1986, which it was in all honesty, but listening to it now it needs a brush up, it could really stand to be re-mastered. Overall this is a great record and the best with Sammy Hagar, if you do not have this album, definately buy it and enjoy some great 80's rock!! March 7, 2008

Great CD

This is a great Cd that I can put in the CD player and listen to it all! "5150" brings back so many great memories from times "back in the day", like "Summer Nights" and "Dreams". Sammy Hagar really steps up and belts out some great vocals. Michael Anthony is in a great groove with his bass lines. What can I say about Eddie and Alex Van Halen on guitar and drums that hasn't been said before by millions of fans and critiques alike?! This CD is a great buy and a must have for the true Van Halen fan! Enjoy! January 18, 2008

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