Customer Reviews

5150

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

an alright album but i think that when they got hagar they started doin' all these lovey dove' songs. its not that is bad i mean the lovey dove songs are good fer that style of song, but man whats with all the keyboard. theres only like 2,3 songs with awsome riffs (amazing riff/solo in best of both worlds. but like man i thought i bought a hard rock cd but its more lovie. but dont get me wrong; it is still a great album but i just think VH could have done alot better. n put alot more effort into writing hard bone crunchin' rock n roll riffs. this would definatly not be the first VH cd i would buy( if i were u get there first album or 1984 to get into VH) but this album is worth buying. im just a little confused on how one of the biggest rock bands can go all synthesizer on me.

Been a huge fan of Van Halen all my life and i gotta tell ya this cd rocks Eddie has some very powerful riffs not suprising he usually always does the quality of this cd is excellent by far i truly love this cd basically because it was the debut cd involving Sammy Hagar which yeah he isn't quite as crazy as David Lee Roth but that is not always a bad thing i feel Sammy has brought alot to the band and makes a perfect frontman for Van Halen to me his vocals are alot more solid than David Lee Roths more powerful with meaning he shows emotion when he sings not just screaming or rambling on i feel that 1984 was a let down honestly i mean it was good but too much keyboard work and not enough rockin 5150 and VH 1 are the best 2 cd's they have released in my opinion .

"5150" is Van Halen's first album with lead singer Sammy Hagar. I subscribe to the notion that sometimes the best thing for a mature band is to bring in an outsider to join the band. It gives the band fresh ideas and a new perspective. I look at the case of the Rolling Stones bringing Ron Wood in. Ron Wood did much more than play Bass, he became a significant contributer to the band. To me Sammy Hagar, like him or not injected some new life into the Van Halen band and became a significant contributer much like Wood did for the Stones Hagar doesn't just sing, he'll contribute to the songwriting and production of the effort of Van Halen. The result is a solid effort on the album "5150" that still does a lot of what Van Halen does best - Hard edged Rock.

I do feel Sammy Hagar is the better vocalist than David Lee Roth. This is not to take anything away from Roth who did an incredible job for Van Halen. To me it was clear that Roth had run his course with the group and was looking to be a pop/movie star. While Roth was more of a "showman" like performer, Hagar represented being a more serious musician. Hagar was a "B" level rock star and much more a student of the music industry would showed a lot of signs of promise. Coming into Van Halen not only helped Hagar, but it helped Van Halen. Yes, Van Halen would lose the all-round "performer/showman" in Roth, but they would gain a solid lead singer in Hagar who could be a"showman" when needed. You'll hear Hagar do this right away on the opening track "Good Enough" when he shouts out "Hellllooo Baby!", does some nice shouting at the start of "Get Up" and "Summer Nights".

Hagar and the entire band really show that their trademark humor is still there on the final track, "Inside". They make fun of themselves by saying "What kind of Crap is this?". In this song, it really tells us about Sammy joining the band Van Halen. Particularly when he sings "It's Not What You Are; It's How You Dress; That's One Thing I've Learned From These Guys; I Must Confess....Something Special, Something New; Some Brand New Group to Sink My Teeth into". I think Sammy also gives us his feelings that he is the serious musician when he says "This Ain't No Party, This Ain't Know Show" (a clear shot at the Roth era antics).

Van Halen is still a lot (and will always be) about Eddie Van Halen. On this collection, Eddie's going to what Eddie does best - play great music. Eddie will still be Eddie and have some sort of ego - this is reflective that in addition to Hagar's voice, Eddie's guitar rifts and keyboards are going to dominate many of the songs. I think the keyboard stuff is very strong on this album - particularly on the songs "Dreams" and "Love Walks In". These songs are the two best on the collection and are highlighted by great keyboards. In addition, Hagar brings the element of why he is the better vocalist than Roth - his range is just better. I don't think Dave could have pulled off these songs like Hagar did on those tracks. Yes, in addition to great keyboards, the guitars will still be present on those tracks. Many of the other selections are more heavy with the guitars and those tracks will keep the guitar fans happy. Eddie does a great job on the guitars, but if there were more songs along the lines of "Dreams" and "Love Walks In" this album could have even been better.

The dominance between Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar sometimes comes head to head on this collection. Van Halen with Hagar works best when Eddie and Sammy are at a good equilibrium. Specifically, I think it is a problem on the songs "Get Up" and "Summer Nights". I think Eddie's guitar is too dominant and it hurts Hagar's vocals on these tracks. It's not that Eddie drowns out Sammy, but I think the guitar comes on a little too strong during some of the vocals. On tracks such as "Why Can't This Be Love?" and "5150", the balance between Sammy and Eddie is perfect - it is a shame they couldn't pull this off on some of the other tracks.. I also feel that Alex Van Halen is a fine drummer while Michael Anthony is a great bassist, but their efforts seem to be in the background on most of the tracks of this collection and its a shame - they have a lot to contribute. It is worth noting Alex's drumming shines very nicely on the title track, "5150"

The liner notes do contain the production credits and all of the lyrics. A final note - all of the songs have great instrumentation, but the lyrics are weak on many of the tracks. I would rate this a 3 1/2 Stars - not quite a 4 Star Effort. You will find that this CD will grow on you the more you listen to it and you will appreciate the efforts more and more each time you listen to it.

Back in 1986, a lot of rockers had given up on Diamond Dave; we just couldn't swallow "California Girls" and still wear our Judas Priest shirts proudly. On the flipside, we dug Sammy's "I Can't Drive 55". When the split and new singer were announced, we waited hopefully that Van Halen with Hagar in tow would produce something that really rocked. Then in early '86 we saw that embarassing live video for "Why Can't This Be Love", and all hopes were dashed. More keyboards? Sammy scatting?

5150 isn't as bad as we feared, in fact it's quite good in spots. Its major flaw is that this was a band in upheaval, and Dave was such a huge part of their sound. 5150 is a transitional album, it picks up with the keyboard flavours of 1984 and moves forward into parts unknown. Musically, most of this album was written with Dave still in the band. In his autobiograophy, Crazy From The Heat, Dave describes the music that Van Halen were writing as reflective of the mood the band were in. He used the word "morose".

While 5150 is not a completely joyless affair, it is considerably less upbeat than the party rock that they specialized in with Dave. Sammy Hagar was obviously an apt replacement; although an awkward fit at first as they shoehorned him into the songs written with Dave.

Things start out well enough. "Good Enough" is an upbeat boogie oriented party rocker. The production however is painfully thin. The drums clank along, awkward electronic toms creating a cacophony of noise. The guitar lacks Eddie's trademark warmth. Where Dave called the album "morose" I would use the word "cold".

Then, "Why Can't This Be Love", better than the live video version but still containing Sammy's strange scatting. This ballad feels tired lyrically and musically. Perhaps Dave could have turned it classic, much like he did with "I'll Wait".

"Get Up" is an OTT rocker, almost too fast as it sounds at times like the band is falling apart. This sloppiness of old is refreshing. Mike, Ed and Al's backing vocals help make this sound like a real Van Halen rocker.

Up next is "Dreams", a simple one. Eddie's first guitar solo consists of two notes! This isn't a bad song, but far too reliant on a comericial keyboard lick.

Side one ended with the classic "Summer Nights". I find the funky verses to be a bit awkward, but the chorus to be absolutely irresistable. This is a party rocker, obviously and perfectly suited to those hot summer nights with your radio.

Side two kicked off with "Best of Both Worlds", a pseudo rocker that lacks balls and spark. The chorus is decent and obviously the song has become something of a live classic. It wouldn't make my personal best-of tape.

"Love Walks In" also would not make my personal best-of tape. Maybe this is how Dave defined "morose". Another keyboard song, and softest on the album, this is Van Halen entering uncharted territory: a comercial power ballad. If they felt like they couldn't do this kind of song with Dave, they must have felt great when this song hit paydirt.

Up next is "5150", another rocker along the lines of "Best of Both Worlds", but faster and with a lot more life. This is not a bad song. Shame the album doesn't have more of them.

Lastly is "Inside", a song that I just can't decide if I like or not. It's barely a song, more like a story with some odd music in behind, and an entire band sounded completely wasted. It grooves along with what sounds like a synth riff, but may just be Michael Anthony playing bass robotically precise. I don't know. Anyway Sammy's on top of it all, telling a story about...new shoes? Not sure exactly. The band are in behind, sounding loaded but having fun, like something off Diver Down. As strange as it is, this song sounds like Van Halen in the sense of a band who isn't afraid to play whatever the heck they want.

So there you have 5150, the massive #1 smash hit, but also transitional album. I think the following disc, OU812, is stronger and more comfortable. But to get from A to B, you have to make a journey and that's what 5150 is. It may lack power, it may be half-loaded with sap, it may sound terrible. However, if it wasn't the #1 smash hit that it was, maybe Van Halen would have ended by '87. Who knows.

3 stars.

"U.S. prime, grade A stamp gauranteed" Those are the opening lyrics to Van Halen's 5150. If that isn't bad enough, the opening number "Good Enough" is a rewrite of "Panama" from 1984, substituting a much more constipated sounding group. I struggled to find a way to describe the sound of the new Van Halen as a band on this record - the heavily compressed guitars, the synthetic drums - but this term was the best I could do.

Sammy Hagar was a bad choice to replace David Lee Roth, who brought a certain crass intelligence to Van Halen. Sammy brought nothing to the table but a "good set of pipes" (he is really good at shrill screaming - if you think that's good) and lyric writing skills that would disgrace the bathroom wall in any suburban high school. But all you have to do is look the cover art for this CD versus any of the Roth recordings, and it pretty much tells the whole story.

If you can make it through "Dreams" on this album, you are a better man than I. And you're driving a Trans Am.

INTRO:After the hit album that was "1984" Van Halen lost signer David Lee Roth in 1985 and had to do auditions to find a new lead signer for the band.The chosen one was Sammy Hagar,veteran rocker with whom the band would spend many years with and the period Hagar spended with the band is now remembered as Van Hagar.This would be a make-it or break-it album for VH and i have to say that it is better than i tought it would be.

Van Halen lost a few fans when David Lee Roth left but Sammy Hagar still did a very good at what he did:signing.Eddie Van Halen is still as good but not enough solos Eddie!Alex Van Halen plays an electric drum for this album,it still sounds good but there are some times when you can see that it isn`t a real drum.Everyone is good.

That said "5150" is still a solid album that has a few notable tracks like "Good Enough" and "Summer Nights".It is a little pop but there is still a whole lot of rock`n`roll in it.Sammy Hagar has more of a Rock voice than David has in my opinion."5150" is a highly enjoyable album if you give it a chance.

The Hagar era is not the one remembered by most fans but I still find it enjoyable and "5150" was one of the best,if not the best that lineup produced.With Hagar Van Halen would have four number one albums being more succesfull than the Roth era.

Yet I can`t understand why the VH that have Sammy Hagar haven`t been remastered too,they would benefit of those remasters highly,this one included,Hagar is human too you know?

Overral:"5150" is defiantly worth a listen to VH fans,I wouldn`t say this is their best album,but it ain`t their worst either,for the newbie maybe start with "Van Halen" or "1984".Not the best but still recommended!

This is my all time favorite VH album, in no small part because it's the first one I heard from start to finish, just discovering rock and roll in '86. Yes, I must agree the synth drums perhaps give it a slight "dated" feel, but it still sounds cool as hell when played at proper hellacious volume. I dare any of you to NOT get pumped when you hear "Get Up" or Best of Both Worlds". "Dreams" contains one of Eddie's best solos ever, and Sammy sings it like his life depends on it.
So, we got the Roth-era remasters, now how about 5150 and ou812??? These two albums are SCREAMING for a remastering.

When listening to Van Halen's 7th album,but first with Hagar,it just kills me thinking about how much of a masterpiece this could have been if Dave was still on board!Good enough and summer nights would sound so much better!Ughh!But anyways,this album is pretty good,even if you're a fan of Diamond Dave.Sammy offers a different layer to the music,not like or as good as Dave did,but it definitely works.Fan's of old school VH will love air-guitaring to Eddie's fret-tastic riffs on tracks like Good Enough,Get Up,Summer Nights,5150,and Best Of Both Worlds.Tracks like Love Walks In,Dreams,and Why Can't This Be Love shows the band exploring new ground with synthesizers and keyboards.None what some expected from a band that used to say "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love!".But as much of a guitar god as we see Eddie,he has always proclaimed that he's about music,not just the guitars.Whatever he's good at,he'll play.I would have to say Eddie's genius is a big part of what propelled this band from the start.And it's evident because fans still bought records after Dave left.But hey,it's only rock and roll,and if you love rock and roll,especially by the VH bros,then this is one album you should have.Despite Roth's absense,keyboards and synths,and sammy hagar,5150 still rocks.

This album is too pop for my tastes. Van Halen was a heavy metal band, but afterward, they turnes kind of synth pop. No offense to Hagar, but Diamond Dave was a much better singer. Also, some of these lyrics are dumb. For a VH newbie, I would reccomend 1984 or Van Halen II.

Honestly, tell me what that guy was good at? His talents were
mediocre at best. The best song with him is Ice Cream Man and
Jump. I think songs like Hot for the Teacher is terrible. This
is a very good album.