This is Van Halen (or Van Hagar's) 9th Studio Album recorded at Eddies own 5150. Personally this is my favourite Hagar album, but not my favourite Van Halen album in general. Now this album is like all Van Hagar albums not as raw sounding as the previous six Van Halen with David Lee Roth albums. Now the band are in their late 30' and early 40's but they still sound great.
Poundcake - Awesome Intro to a great album. Starts off with Eddie using a power drill (or so I think) then proceeds to Sammy singing. This track grows on you after a while. The solo is ok compared to Eddies other solos.
4/5
Judgment Day - Now Here comes my favourite song on the album and the best song on this album (In My Opinion, others would say "Right Now"). Their is great percussion work by Alex, and same goes for Michael but Eddies guitarwork outshines both of them. Talk about a solo, This is my favourite guitar solo by Eddie yet.
5/5
Spanked - Starts off with a Eddie using the tremolo bar then the drums and bass kick in. Good guitar work by Eddie and excellent background vocals by Alex, Michael, and Eddie. Eddie kicks off another great but sadly short guitar solo. I personally don't like this song but its still good.
3/5
Runaround - Kicks in with a catchy guitar riff, Eddie makes use of what seems vibratos or of the tremolo bar (hard to tell). This song has a catchy chorus which adds to this songs greatness of excellent percussion and to add to it the guitar solo is amazing done by the great EVH.
5/5
Pleasure Dome - A nice guitar intro by Eddie starts off this song and i know I said the drums were good in like every song but this time i mean this, the drums in this song stand out as Alex’s best percussion work on this album. Another awesome guitar solo by Eddie but not his best.
4/5
In 'N' Out - Begins with a short drum intro then Eddies screeching guitar comes in. Alex’s drums are louder in this song as for the bass. Sammy does a good job singing this song, along with the rest of the boys singing back up vocals. The guitar solo sounds like Eddie is using some Wah but Its not certain and its not that good of a solo.
4/5
Man On A Mission - Starts off with what seems like harmonic-like guitar intro which is very catchy. Sammy sound different in this song if you know what i mean but Eddies presents another great guitar solo.
5/5
The Dream Is Over - Intro starts off with Sammy saying "C'mon Man, Wake Up". Then Eddies guitar comes in along with Alex’s drums and some use of the cowbell. Sammy sounds angry (lyric wise) in this song then other songs. A good chorus with "OOOOOOOOOOOO"' and "AHHHHHHHHHS" by the band doing backup vocals. The solos is above awesome but like I said its not Eddies best but one of his best.
5/5
Right Now - Van Hagars best known song. Eddie plays keyboard for this intro (which btw sounds awfully familiar but I cant get my hand on what it is). Mike's Bass comes at the intro followed by Alex’s drums. Eddie pre-recorded himself playing the keyboard and himself playing the guitar (just for those who are wondering "How can he play two instruments at once?1?"). Alex uses a cowbell for the chorus which is extremely catchy. Sammy sounds really emotional in this song. Then comes Eddies utterly amazing solo (i would name it the best but its too short). This is my second favourite song on the F.U.C.K (For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge) album.
5/5
316 - This is a acoustic guitar solo if i stand corrected though on "Live Right Here, Right Now" he uses a electric. This solo sounds a bit western if you catch my drift. Though this song is short I still like it.
5/5
Top Of The World - The last song on the album kicks off with a guitar riff that is easily known. Percussion work is great along. Bass is excellent too. The chorus is the most catchiest one on this album with the line "Standin' On The Top Of The World". Now for the solo Eddie uses a Wah-Wah pedal which adds to the feel of the song but personally Eddie sounds better without Wah.
Great song none of the less.
5/5
In Conclusion, this is (IMO) Van Halen's (with Hagar) best album to date. If you like Van Halen (with Roth) but want to hear how Hagar sounds I suggest you pick up this album. You won't be disappointed.
