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5150 Review
07/13/2005 4:02 AM, AMG
Few bands in rock history made as seamless a transition between lead vocalists as Van Halen. A platinum solo act in his own right, Sammy Hagar brought proven star power, a huge set of pipes, and an immediate air of confidence to the proceedings that no true newcomer could have ever hoped to deliver. On the down side, this seemingly perfect marriage would ignite a vicious feud between David Lee Roth loyalists, Hagar fans, and within the Van Halen creative/management camp as well. Thankfully, both sides would deliver in spades. 5150 (named after Eddie's home studio) became a number one blockbuster record with a sold-out tour to boot. Hagar ushered in the new era with an amazingly Roth-sounding squeal announcing the heavily sardonic "Good Enough" -- a rousing number with all the classic VH trappings. The band set charts on fire with the massive first single "Why Can't This Be Love," equally loved and reviled by the band's old-school fans for its pervasively synth-laden sound. The band segues effortlessly from the frenzied "Get Up" into the soaring commercial anthem "Dreams," culminating with the stream-of-consciousness barroom chatter of album closer "Inside." In between, they serve up a trio of convincing rockers in "Summer Nights," "Best of Both Worlds," and the title track, as well as another outstanding power ballad, "Love Walks In." Even though 5150 sounded radically different from its predecessor, upon closer examination, its songs are clearly an extension of 1984's blueprint. The drums may sound different, the band may be mixed differently, but the intrinsic classic VH guitar attack remains intact. Technically a near-perfect collection of pop-minded rock anthems, 5150 still divides Van Halen fans to this day. Roth-era loyalists may balk at the album's contrived sleekness, but the overwhelming quality and consistency of its material is still undeniable. ~ Ed Rivadavia & John Franck, All Music Guide
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