Description

The metamorphosis of Van Halen once audacious pubescent care-free musical idealisms into one of equability and conservatism started with the introduction of new vocalist Sammy Hagar. This eponymous debut of 'Van-Halen Mark 2' was marked by a decided upturn in commercial fortunes for the band as the clownish antics of Dave Lee Roth had perceptually truncated the creative processes of guitar maestro Eddie Van Halen and the band. As for Sammy Hagar his solo career was floundering with the diminishing returns of each subsequent solo album after his split from Montrose, (who's debut arguably providedmore… the tenplate upon which V.H. based their early releases). Both haD garnered ecstatic reviews and thus the marriage of Hagar and Van Halen appeared to be a perfect recipe in galvanising 2 great talents. This then was the background to 5150, (apparently a distress code used by the American police), and at first a culture shock for those imbued with the charasmatic potency of the initial V.H. recordings. Crass overblown lyrical sexism, (but always with a large incredient of humour)was now surplanted by a more mainstream rock delivery that conscripted V.H.into 'just another American band category'. The obvious reticence with which the band felt their audience would approach 5150 appears to have led to a realisation that the introduction of Sammy Hagar would require a delicate re-appraisal of their musical approach. Thus 5150 is a work that lacks adventure, excitement, mistakes and pure gusto. This record is in fact the antithesis of their debut, but once the listener absolves him/herself of the memories of D.L.R., 5150 in fact contains some half decent music. Certainly Eddie seems to traverse stylistic constraints as his co-ohorts maintain a consistent rhythmic bedrock. The good-time vibe of the opening track 'Good Enough' is suggestive of highly energised initial albums but this is quickly expunged by the insipid and poppy overtures of 'Why Can't This Be Love'. One, at the time little realised that this would signal the path that V.H. would explore more fully through the years. The anthemic 'Best Of Both Worlds' and'Love Walks In' are merely stadium rock fodder with little musical credence,(best left to Bon-Jovi and latter-day Aerosmith). The album does close strongly with the title track, a brutal rock workout that singes the speaker cables and 'Inside', a dense, almost gothic style piece that juxtaposes a heavy almost funky backbeat with a choral vocalistion. Overall 5150 sees Van-Halen 'mature' whilst foresaking their unique brand of humour-filled self depreciation in the name of worldwide acceptance. Now where is Van-Halen 1?

Tracks

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Info:

Category:

Music > Albums

Case Type:

CD

Release Type:

Retail

Comments:

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Cover Info:

Title:

Van Halen - 5150 (1986) Retail CD

Part:

Inside

Dimensions:

800 x 800 px

Size:

96 KB

Downloads:

517 (3 today)

Uploaded:

Report a Problem Wrong Cover Duplicate Image Bad Quality Wrong Info

10/05/07 by allcdcovers

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