5150 is the best Van Halen album, imo.

5150 was bittersweet. Dave was gone, but 5150 was still a great album. The title track is my favorite from the album.

I think there are a few good songs. "Get Up" is a smokin' tune. "Good Enough" and "Summer Nights" are also good songs. Otherwise, I think the album is kinda lame. It's still not bad, but I almost never listen to it. This is definitely my least fav Hagar-era album. Carn.Knowledge is the pinnacle of the Hagar era; that's actually an amazing album.

SAXON1500 wrote:

Quote :

those first 3 VH albums... man, that was some damn fine rock n roll. after that, it was hit or miss.

No love for Fair Warning? That has always been my fav VH.

And as far as Hagar - Standing Hampton is an ALL-TIME classic that should be in every rockers collection. An all-around perfect album.

I agree pretty much. FW is great. I even like some Van Hagar but Sammy in the late 70's/early 80's ruled.

As far as 5150, I dont hate it as much as most old school VH fans (been one since 1979). I do love the song "Dreams".

I love 5150, except track 7 "love walks in" never did anything for me, the rest of the album rocks though

SAXON1500 wrote:

Quote :

those first 3 VH albums... man, that was some damn fine rock n roll. after that, it was hit or miss.

No love for Fair Warning? That has always been my fav VH.

Fair Warning is a respected classic for sure. i just personally think it was a step down from the first 3. the first of many continuous steps downward.

Diver Down

5150 their best??? That is a watered down radio friendly album with no guts. It's not a bad album but definately not as entertaining as the Roth albums. I was actually thinking about this awhile back about how i think Hagar is a better singer but Roth is a better entertainer.

DeathCult wrote:

Eat Em and Smile is the only Roth solo worth getting. I have Crazy From The Heat as well, but his lounge days aren't appreciated by all.

I still think Eat 'em... is great, then his solo albums went progessivly down-hill. Some good songs here and there, but not good albums. Eat 'em and Smile was a solid album.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

DeathCult wrote:

Eat Em and Smile is the only
Roth solo worth getting. I have Crazy From The Heat as well, but his
lounge days aren't appreciated by all.

I still think Eat 'em...
is great, then his solo albums went progessivly down-hill. Some good
songs here and there, but not good albums. Eat 'em and Smile was a
solid album.

Did you ever hear the DLR Band material? I had heard good things about it, but never have heard it.

DLR has a good song called "Slam Dunk" (because it sounds like VH) other than that, I haven't heard anything good from them.

Tall Tyrion wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

DeathCult wrote:

Eat Em and Smile is the only
Roth solo worth getting. I have Crazy From The Heat as well, but his
lounge days aren't appreciated by all.

I still think Eat 'em...
is great, then his solo albums went progessivly down-hill. Some good
songs here and there, but not good albums. Eat 'em and Smile was a
solid album.

Did you ever hear the DLR Band material? I had heard good things about it, but never have heard it.

I had it at one point. It was ok from what I remember. It had a few good songs ("Slam Dunk" was one of 'em) but overall, nothing worth keeping. I sorta remember Dave's voice sounding really strained on some of the songs. The one thing memorable from it was the guitarist, John Lowery, went from a normal, unknown long-haired metal/rock guy to John 5, a goth-weirdo, playing for Marilyn Manson. I believe he's now playing in Rob Zombie's live band.

EDIT: Lowery also played in/toured with Rob Halford's Two project.

That's disappointing.

I think what most people don't realize is that Sammy wasn't the one changing Van Halen. Eddie was changing Van Halen. Eddie wanted keyboards on 1984, but Dave wanted to stay with a metal sound in their music. Obviously, Dave lost that round. But once Dave was kicked out or quit Van Halen, there was no real resistance to what Eddie wanted to do. That's why Van Halen moved away from metal and became a more mainstream band.

xyz wrote:

I think what most people don't realize is that Sammy wasn't the one changing Van Halen. Eddie was changing Van Halen. Eddie wanted keyboards on 1984, but Dave wanted to stay with a metal sound in their music. Obviously, Dave lost that round. But once Dave was kicked out or quit Van Halen, there was no real resistance to what Eddie wanted to do. That's why Van Halen moved away from metal and became a more mainstream band.

Oh absolutely. I don't fault Sammy at all, it all rests squarely on Eddie's shoulders. In fact, Eddie wrote Jump during the sessions for Fair Warning, but Dave refused to do the song because it didn't sound like a Van Halen song to him. I agree.

DenimAndLeather wrote:

Plus, Dreams is the best song VH ever did, Hagar or not.

For the longest time, this was the only VH album I didn't own (well, not counting VHIII, which I *still* don't own). I like it, maybe because I got it after my VH phase, but for my own personal tastes, I couldn't call it their best. I don't even think it's their best with Hagar (that would go to For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, *IMO*).

"Dreams" is indeed awesome as is "Why Can't This Be Love", two of my favorites from the band.

I prefer the David Lee Roth era of Van Halen, the first four albums are classics that changed rock music and gave it a good kick in the ass, 5150 is not bad but these two line ups are night and day.
And I prefered David Lee Roth's solo albums to the Sammy Hagar led Van Halen, what was missing with that version of Van Halen was a sense of humor, not as much fun factor.
I also happen to think that are songs are better on DLR albums, I am huge fan of the original line up.

I also consider 5150 as Van Halen's greatest album! Even the follow-up was great! But the Cherone-era scares me. Remember when I saw the "Fire in the Hole" video for the first time, I had nightmares a week after that. Of course I love the Roth era but it's something special with the atomsphere on the Hagar albums, also I've always liked his raspy voice and lyrics very much. Both in Montrose, Van Halen and as a solo artist.

Pontus wrote:

I also consider 5150 as Van Halen's greatest album! Even the follow-up was great! But the Cherone-era scares me. Remember when I saw the "Fire in the Hole" video for the first time, I had nightmares a week after that. Of course I love the Roth era but it's something special with the atomsphere on the Hagar albums, also I've always liked his raspy voice and lyrics very much. Both in Montrose, Van Halen and as a solo artist.

Stopped taking your meds again, huh?

BTW, I love Hagar's solo work but I HATE Van Hagar; every freakin' song sounds the same to me.

I also like both Hagar & Roth, but prefer Van Hagar and 5150 is my favorite too...

somebody missed it...

I totally agree that 5150 is VH's best. Saw them live on that tour with Bachman Turner Overdrive in fact.

5150 isn't even close to the S/T in my book. It's not even close to any DLR-era album IMO.




Did I mention I HATE Van Hagar?

5150 is a great album if your age is actually 51+

troublezone wrote:

5150 is a great album if your age is actually 51+

Or if you've never heard DLR-era.

Your earlier post was spot on, the DLR "entertainment" factor has a lot to do with why I prefer his vocals. I think he elevated the typical VH songwriting to another level with his antics. And he didn't just to it at concerts; I think he ad-libbed a lot in the studio too. Think they scripted the "I don't feel tardy..." schtick? Or his yelps and howls on the S/T?