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Van Halen: Sammy Hagar (vocals); Eddie Van Halen (guitar, keyboards); Michael Anthony (bass); Alex Van Halen (drums, percussion).
Recorded at 5150 Studios, Hollywood, California.
The somber black and white cover could have been a knowing allusion to Meet the Beatles!, but it's really a signal that Van Halen is playing it for keeps on OU812, their second record with Sammy Hagar. Indeed, the striking thing about OU812 is that all its humor is distilled into a silly punny title, because even the party tunes here -- and there are many -- are performed with a dogged, determined vibe. When David Lee Roth fronted the band, almost everything that Van Halen did seemed easy -- as big, boisterous, and raucous as an actual party -- but Van Hagar makes good times seem like tough work here. Apart from a few cuts -- the countryish hook on "Finish What Ya Started," the slow, bluesy strut "Black and Blue" -- the riffs are complicated, not catchy, the rhythms plod, they don't rock, and Sammy strains to inject some good times by singing too hard. It gives OU812 a bit of a dour feel, not entirely dissimilar to Fair Warning, but unlike that early unheralded gem, this isn't a descent into darkness; it's merely a very inward rock record, as Eddie Van Halen pushes the band toward interesting musical territory. Often, this takes the form of jazzy chord changes or harmonies -- most evidently on the sleek opener, "Mine All Mine," but also on the otherwise metallic boogie "Source of Infection" -- but there's also "Cabo Wabo," the longest jam they've laid down on record to date, and a cover of Little Feat's "A Apolitical Blues" (which could have been a salute to producer Ted Templeman's early glories as much as a chance to do some down-n-dirty blues rock). Of course, there's also a pair of power ballads here, both poppier than the ones on 5150 -- "When It's Love" is pure balladry, "Feels So Good" rides along on a gurgling synth -- but really, they're red herrings on a record that's the hardest, darkest rock Van Halen has made since Fair Warning. And if it isn't as good as that record (even if it's nearly not as much fun), it's nevertheless the best showcase of the instrumental abilities of Van Hagar. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
In the late '80s, both Van Halen and David Lee Roth were at their commercial peaks, with the two camps competing fiercely against each other for Top 10 dominance. While lacking the overall crunch of earlier albums, OU812 does take the band into credible pop/electronic territory. Showing that party rock can grow and develop, the album contains some premium musicianship.
"Mine All Mine" features Ed Van Halen's continued use of synthesizers and is an introspective tune about believing in one's self. "When It's Love" is a catchy power ballad that continued the band's streak of Top 10 hits, along with "Finish What Ya Started," with its good-natured country licks. "Feels So Good," a 180-degree turn from the heavy rock of the band's early days, is a keyboard-driven pop ditty. The band doesn't totally stray from its roots though, as "Black And Blue" is a greasy, bluesy salute to an active sex life. Ou812 Music Review Average Rating: (4.8 out of 5 stars)  Great Listen!
Following the phenomenally successful 1984 and 5150, OU812 continues VH's winning streak. The guys kick it off with the rapid-attack "Mine All Mine," which is personally one of my all-time favorite VH tracks. Hagar follows it up by continuing his tradition of delivering impressive power ballad performances with "When It's Love". Next up is "A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)," another right-between-the-eyes delivery that must surely have brought Hagar memories of "I Can't Drive 55". "Cabo Wabo" is a great tipsy summer jam and "Source Of Infection" is a wild, get-loose rocker that brings nostalgia of the Roth years. "Feels So Good" is a fun pop piece and "Finish What Ya Started" is a top-notch specimen of blues-rock. "Black And Blue" follows suit and "Sucker In A 3 Piece" is a good, solid hard rock tune. Lastly, "A Apolitical Blues" is a nice closing track that shows off the band's new, bluesy sound. Bottom line: OU812 shows yet another fantastic new side of Van Halen that's definitely going to spend plenty of time in your stereo. This album is absolutely worth your money.
Submitted by Brent (Hampton, VA, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Wow!
I didnt know VH had such diversity! Songs like A Apolitical Blues and Feels So Good show that Sammy's pipes and Eddie's guitar can do anything. This along with 5150 and F.U.C.K. are the best Van Halen albums around.
Submitted by Zach (Lockport IL)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  Great songs, lacking cohesivness
There are some great songs on this album, but they don't seem to all fit together. There are also too many keyboards, but enough complainin'. My favorite Sammy era tune comes from this realease, Sucker in a 3-piece, a killer-riffed, mid-tempoed, goofy gripe about rich guys getting the trophy wives (of course, rock stars get hot wives too, Sammy, don't forget). Anyway, it's full of killer guitars and funny lyrics. Black and Blue is a little more laid back, and quite a bit raunchier, it also has some great subtle guitar parts. Source of Infection has, count 'em, THREE guitar solos, and reminds of I'm the One off of the debut. AFU is another killer up-tempoed rocker, but a little meaner than most of the light-hearted fare on display here. Mine All Mine is synth driven, but up-tempo and still pretty cool, and Cabo Wabo is a summertime anthem in the vein of Summer Nights. Unfortunately, When It's Love, is pretty weak, as is the all-acoustic Finish What Ya Started, even though it has some great guitar. Feels So Good is good, but too synth driven to be a great love song.
Submitted by Jon (Utah, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
This I Like
I like this one a bit better than 5150.It rocks more and its probably Van Halen's most ecletic.The review on top says they made this record in a hurry due because of the Monsters Of Rock tour,it doesnt sound like it.Sammy rides those Eddie Guitar waves in a synch.This is their coolest record with sexual innuendo written all over it.I liked all of it except 'Black And Blue' or 'Sucker In A 3 Piece',it would sound better coming out of DLR than from a guy who sings better love songs.Genius Work
Submitted by Southsidaz1985 (Downey,Ca,Usa)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No An underated 80s masterpiece!
In the 80s, when the hair was long and hard rock was mostly sleazy, Van Halen faced a major challenge with the departure of David Lee Roth. Sammy Hagar came through in spades on "5150", and showed he can continue to take the band into new musical territory with this release. From the self-examining contemplation of "Mine All Mine", the pop-savy "Feels So Good", the country-flavor of "Finish What Ya Started", the sing-along grand balladry of "When It's Love", to the hold-no-punches rocking of "Source Of Infection", this is the band's most varied but uniformly satisfying offering to date. "Black & Blue" offers the ode-to-good sex appeal that Motley Crue fans would love, "Cabo Wabo" is a tequila shooting fantasy to satisfy the most avid party person (hell, it's even got a brand of tequila and a nightclub named after it, courtesy of Mr. Hagar), and "A Apolitical Blues" even offers up a blues number that even Stevie Ray Vaughan would love. If you can't find something you like on this album, you probably don't like music! Chances are, you'll like it all.
Submitted by a reviewer (Lancaster, PA USA)
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