Van Halen--OU812 (1988)
Rating--7.6
A splattering of strong songs, but at the same time an album that seems to be somewhat without an overall identity.
Several
known tunes, including the rhythmic and light "When it's Love," the keyboard groove of "Feels So Good," and the excellent
and carefree "Finish What Ya Started," with its great melody vocals and Carribean feel.
The remainder of the disc is largely
dotted with hidden gems. The oft-overlooked lead single is "Black n' Blue," which goes from a dark slide riff to a monster strong
groove! Nasty and sassy...
"Cabo Wabo" is a smooth groove shifter, and "Source of Infection" is a good fast-paced trip: An
excellent drum intro, and then some spectacular Eddie breaks on the finger tappings. A soaring Hagar chorus as well; the likes of
which also show up again on "A.F.U." and "Sucker in a 3 Piece".
Overall, not a bad offering at all.
TRACK LIST: Mine All Mine/When it's Love/A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)/Cabo Wabo/Source of Infection/Feels So Good/Finish
What Ya Started/Black and Blue/Sucker in a 3 Piece
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