Van Halen - OU812

Having proven its Sammy Hagar-led lineup a success with 5150, Van Halen followed that effort with OU812, an album that, despite its cheesy title, is every bit its predecessor's equal, burning with balls-to-the-walls hard rock that never leaves its pop sensibility far behind. From the sweeping power ballad "When It's Love" and the full-on rocker "Finish What Ya Started," to the stringbending showcases "A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)" and "Cabo Wabo" and even an uncharacteristic cover (of Little Feat's "A Apolitical Blues"), Eddie, Alex, Michael, and Sammy play with abandon and a palpable sense of fun. --Daniel Durchholz Amazon.com

Best Van Halen with Hagar?

The second album with Sammy Hagar fronting one of the most popular rock bands of the 80's (and some of the 90's), this follow up to the commercially successful 5150 has more of an edge. 5150 seems to have been recorded primarily for radio hits (and it succeeded in that endeavor), OU812 was harder with more guitar hooks than synthesizer, and it delivered some radio hits as well (Black and Blue, Finish What Ya Started). But, it was mainly back to the guitar for Eddie Van Halen in this endeavor which makes this one of the best albums produced by the band in the Hagar era. November 11, 2008

Turn the page ~ just 3ugged

When it's love ~ and when it's emotional indeterminism. The latter, Dave ~ libertine hijinks, playin' around, good times; the former, Sammy ~ desperate loyalty, playin' for keeps, big time. I have to retreat 'cause she could break me in half without lifting a finger. Not that I didn't approve of the pitter-patter while it lasted ~ alas, I loved it too much. But getting happy was alien, now I'm all disgruntled again and it feels reassuring. Barcode pop and proud of it. What happened last night? I'll tell ya ~ I didn't drink, I didn't follow her home, I called my kids and, now sunlight, I know when it's love ... and when it should never be. Don't trifle with me. Finish what ya started. November 1, 2008

The band at its most creative

I was onboard with the whole Hagar/Van Halen-thing, from the very beginning. I liked the former incarnation with Roth, but Sammy brought a whole new energy and his vocals allowed them to write differently and really stretch out. Plus, at this point in their relationship with each other as a band, they were probably their happiest. Sammy and Ed were actually friends and even bought houses next to each other, writing and jamming with each other often. 5150 was a decent album, although I'm not totally crazy about the sound of the drums and even the guitar sometimes. With OU812, the band had really gelled and were firing on all cylinders. The sound of the instruments and vocals and the production is so much stronger than their prior album. The songs are much more complex and mature, structurally speaking; there's more of a groove to many of the songs. The backing vocals on this album are top notch! Obviously, there is quite a variety of sounds and styles explored on OU812, especially evidenced in songs like Finish What Ya Started and A Apolitical Blues. I've never really cared for the blues tune, but I think it's cool that they laid that one down. As for the album, as a whole, it's probably my favorite from the Hagar era. Balance is a great CD, with a consistent sound throughout, and Balance offers some good/interesting stuff, but this is the one I enjoy the most, from start to finish (-the blues song). I'm sure there were still many slagging the band and hoping they kiss and make up with Roth, but OU812 made it clear that the new Van Halen could most certainly stand on its own and rock any way they wanted. October 5, 2008

Van Halen - Good, But Not Great

The second of the Van Hagar era albums is fairly similar to the first one. The title is a jab at David Lee Roth's first solo album "Eat Em And Smile". The keyboards are toned down a bit on this one, compared to the last two and the guitar more up front for the most part. Hagar's lyrics are a mix of attempted profundity and juvenile sexist schlock like the first single "Black And Blue". The album produced several huge hits most notably "Finish What Ya Started", and "When It's Love" both slightly atypical of Van Halen's usual fare. Hager includes what has become one of his theme songs in the infectious "Cabo Wabo" where he now famously owns the famous Cabo Wabo Cantina nightclub in Cabo San Lucas Mexico. For the most part if you like "5150" you will probably like this one as well. I rate them about the same with Hagar in fine voice and Van Halen screaming on guitar. Good stuff for the most part, but not great. June 10, 2008

Sophmore Slump for Van Halen

OU812 released in 1988, is Van Halen's second record with Sammy Hagar and is without a doubt their weakest with the Red Rocker, the songs here differ so much from one sound to the next, while some fans adore OU812 I think they could have done just a little better for their sophmore effort. With this release Van Halen hoped they would erase many fans distaste with the band over the whole Diamond Dave fiasco, sure this was preceded by 5150, but that record was all but written and Hagar just sort of lent his pipes to finish the process, OU812 marks his first full effort with the band and in some spots it shines bright, but other places it's like a dark crevis that has not seen the light in years. The title of this record is supposedly a shot fired in the direction of David Lee Roth for the title of his record Eat Em' And Smile, but if thats what Van Halen intended I would have certainly buffed up the rock and cut back on the lite radio hits.

1. Mine All Mine 8-10 Most Van Halen openers are usually pretty solid tracks, especially during the Sammy years, Good Enough, Poundcake and Seventh Seal all hold that distinction as great openers, but this song lacks in a big way and seems rushed and thrown together, nothing special about this song.

2. When It's Love 10-10 Probably the biggest and most known hit off this record, it's a very catchy power ballad that was typical during the 80's and while Sammy was at the helm. Very catchy and really good harmonies on the chorus, overall great song.

3. AFU (Naturally Wired) 8-10 Another song that rocks, but lacks that typical Van Halen knockout punch, this song just does not the peak I believe they intended it to.

4. Cabo Wabo 10-10 Here is another highlight from this record, Cabo Wabo has an infectous chorus and party rock lyrics, and to this day is a fan favorite, depending on who is the lead singer of course.

5. Source Of Infection 8-10 Yet another song that just does not get off the ground, I don't know if the guys rushed just to get this record out on the shelves or they just did'nt care by this point.

6. Feels So Good 10-10 This song could have been played on your moms favorite music station, it's a very light type of ballad and has very catchy lyrics and chorus, another album highlight.

7. Finish What Ya Started 10-10 My absolute favorite track off the record, and has an overall very different sound than most Van Halen songs, reaches for more of an acoustic feel and Eddie kill with the guitar riff.

8. Black And Blue 10-10 Slow paced rocker that seems to carry the effects of the rest of the album, it's a very good song with a great chorus, but everything on this album seems so drull and grey. This song is a great song though.

9. Sucker In A 3 Piece 8-10 Good fast paced rocker that keeps the flow of the record moving nicely, kinda long at almost 6 minutes though and it looses me after a while.

10. A Apolitical Blues 5-10 This might be the worst song Van Halen ever recorded with Sammy Hagar, this is a cover of a blues song and I just don't see what attracted the guys to this song. Definately this was a weak way to end the album and this song is why I question if they were rushed to get this album out for some reason.

OU812 is definately the weakest and least favorite Van Halen record with my main man Sammy Hagar it still got some great Van Halen songs on it, but it just does'nt have the same vibe as other Van Halen records with Sammy. If keeping score at home boys and girls this is the fourth best record with Hagar on it, and since they only recorded four with him that sums up where this album sits in my mind. LONG LIVE VAN HALEN!!! April 4, 2008

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