Van Halen – 5150

Purchased The Collection II LP Boxset for Balance & F.U.C.K.. It's a nice reissue. This OP & OU812 are noticeably superior than those included in the boxset.. Sleeve artwork doesn't compare to OP's either. Also, Bernie Grundman's Rhino F.U.C.K. 12-July 2024 remastered release cooks! Do yourself a favor & pick one up. Currently still available (March 2025) at Amazon discounted 55% for $45.

Just acquired a really nice copy of this. The mix is very crisp and clear. It does feel a little more top heavy. I feel it could use a little more in the low end to really thump. That said, it does sound really good... and gets loud fast.

I have a copy that was given to those who would vote in the Grammy’s, has a white sticker with black letting in the top right corner that says “LISTEN TO ENTIRE ALBUM”

great album and great sounding pressing and mastering as well ! this is when they mastered and did albums right!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5150, named after the California Penal Code for a mentally disturbed person, was the first for the reformed band with new singer Sammy Hagar. Colloquially named "Van Hagar" by fans angry at the band for the DLR split, the record. In fact, Sammy would relate in his autobiography that Warner Brothers had actually asked the band to officially change their name to Van Hagar, which the VH brothers declined (rightfully so). The record also continued to move in the direction that the band hinted at with 1984, with more ballads, synths, and less straight ahead rock. But the album is still categorically Van Halen, and the band shows they still can rock with the best of them. Some songs are entirely forgettable, such as inside, but other tracks, like Best of Both Worlds, show the band can still bring it, especially Eddie, whose guitar work on the album is fantastic. This pressing is very good, with an actively and lively soundstage, good punch and instrumentation, and overall pleasing. Some noise as it to be expected with older vinyl, with some cracks and pops, but a good cleaning will probably ease that up some. Still, if you can find this album for a good price, definitely add to it your collection if you are a fan of the band.

While perhaps not as all-out hard rock as earlier albums, 5150 contains many classic-sounding rock sounds (such as Good Enough) while also introducing more glam rock (Dreams and Why Can’t This Be Love) and even a power ballad (Love Walks In). Despite what one may think about the direction VH headed with Hagar as the singer, it’s hard to deny the command that the band has over this new sound.

If you're an old school Van Halen fan, you'll that 1984 was the year they unleashed keyboards into a hard rock band, slapping everyone in the face with the sound of "wimp rock". Then, 1986 was the year Dave was out and Sammy was in. We felt betrayed and it was easy to reject this album, simply for who was missing.

Of course now, looking back, this was possibly the shining star in the entire VH catalog. Sammy's role in the band was far from a replacement and more like an influx of inspiration and style that would shape the band for the rest of its existence.

This album is loaded with beautifully written hit singles, super heavy, intelligent, thoughtful, and touching. There's something for everyone in here. The musicianship is as high as it ever was on the prior albums, and rivals anything they've done since.

Don't get me wrong, VH1 is my favorite album for it's inventiveness, especially as a debut album. By the same measure, 5150 is a debut; it is that moment in time when Van Halen took a left turn and gave us exactly what we needed, and more than we expected. This record is sheer brilliance.

I'm not going to talk about the songs, but if you are here, you know what you're getting. Buy this record and love it.

Luckily, this pressing is fantastic. It sounds big and full, and the louder you crank it, the better it sounds. 5 stars for this release.

Recommend.