Artist: Van Halen
Average Rating:
Last Reviewed On: July 5, 2000 (by Michelle)
Michelle's Review:
on July 5, 2000Well, new singer, new sound. and the first of a few consecutive albums that would come without words in the title ;-). 5150 again marked a new direction for the band. This time with new vocalist Sammy Hagar at the mic, hot off his solo career highpoint "I can't drive 55".. I have to admit, I liked Sammy's solo stuff up to that point. But I wasn't sure how he was going to do in Van Halen. I was afraid that the chemistry between Ed and Dave would be too much to try and create again, and truthfully, I was right, but alas a new Van Halen emerged here, one that still rocked like any VH fan would expect, and the 5150 tour was rather good, and also marked the first time I ever saw VH live. I still wish to this day that I could have seen them live with Dave to compare, but then maybe it's best I didn't.
This album was a turning point for me though, in that it was the beginning of a new trend that I didn't much care for, and that's the sickeningly top 40 ballad song. Yeah that's right, as much of a die hard VH fan I am, I have never much liked "Dreams". And was annoyed when it became a staple on every tour they would do with Sammy. Still, that aside, I knew from the first moment I heard "Why can't this be love?' on the radio that I was still in love with Van Halen. I have been with them through every incarnation of the band (yes, even Gary, whom I liked) and I have yet to be disappointed by anything they do.
-- Scott and Michelle