Van Halen: Rank the Albums - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Nighthawk76 · 02-13-2012, 05:20 PM

With Van Halen back in the spotlight with the awsome new album A Different Kind of Truth, their best album since 1991's For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, I thought it would be interesting if everyone ranked the 12 VH stuido albums according to preferance.

Mine:

1. 5150 (1986)
According to many sources this was the only Van Halen album ever to be recorded without any behind the scenes drama and I think it really shows. There is such an optimisim to this album that you can tell it's four guys simply having a good time. I think it was very creative on Eddie's part to experiment with keyboards and Sammy has never sung better.

2. For Unlawful Carnel Knowledge (1991)

3. Van Halen (1978)

4. Fair Warning (1981)
Despite being one of the band's weakest sellers Fair Warning is generally considered one of the best among die hard fans, myself included.

5. Van Halen II (1979)

6. A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

7. Balance (1995)

8. OU812 (1988)

9. 1984 (1984)
I know many people will question why I rank this one rather low. I've always found this album to be overrated. Though I love "Panama", "Drop Dead Legs" and "House of Pain".

10. Diver Down (1982)

11. Woman and Children First (1980)

and of course....

12. Van Halen III (1998)

MickeyMac · 02-14-2012, 06:47 PM

1. Van Halen-Van Halen Their 1978 debut and for my money their best

2.Fair Warning-very underrated

3.Diver Down-the covers worked

4.1984-more synth than guitar, but still had its moments

5. Van Halen II

6. Women and Children First

7. A Diffrent Kind of Truth

No offense to anyone but I cant stand Sammy Hagar and dont like Van Halen with him.

AKA · 02-17-2012, 07:25 PM

That the Roth albums all rank higher than the Sammy albums is to in no way a conscious decision on my part to slight Sammy Hagar as the lead singer of Van Halen, because I do like the "Van Hagar" years. I just prefer the "classic lineup." That said:

1. Van Halen II (1979)
2. Van Halen (1978)
3. MCMLXXXIV (1984)
4. Fair Warning (1981)
5. Women and Children First (1980)
6. A Different Kind of Truth (2012)
7. Diver Down (1982)
8. Balance (1995)
9. 5150 (1986)
10. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)
11. OU812 (1988)
12. Van Halen III (1998)

Nighthawk76 · 02-17-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA

That the Roth albums all rank higher than the Sammy albums is to in no way a conscious decision on my part to slight Sammy Hagar as the lead singer of Van Halen, because I do like the "Van Hagar" years. I just prefer the "classic lineup." That said:

1. Van Halen II (1979)
2. Van Halen (1978)
3. MCMLXXXIV (1984)
4. Fair Warning (1981)
5. Women and Children First (1980)
6. A Different Kind of Truth (2012)
7. Diver Down (1982)
8. Balance (1995)
9. 5150 (1986)
10. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)
11. OU812 (1988)
12. Van Halen III (1998)

Oh, come on!

Diver Down is better than For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge? I can understand how a big fan of the early albums may be turned off by the keyboards on 5150 but For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is a stripped down rock album. I think everyone ranks III last.

I do feel bad for Gary Cherone since he gets the blame for it and it wasn't his fault.

catlover79 · 02-18-2012, 07:56 PM

I haven't listened to all the VH albums, but of the ones I've heard, I have to agree with Mickey and choose their 1978 debut as my favorite, followed by 1984. Diver Down isn't bad, just too relient on covers. That said, their version of "Oh, Pretty Woman" just rocks.

5156 gets my vote for best VH/Hagar album, because "Dreams" is one of my very favorite songs by the band. Carnal Knowledge contains my other favorite VH/Hagar song - "Right Now".

Personally, I have no interest in listening to A Different Kind of Truth...but I do get a kick out of the nickname some people on the web have given the new lineup with Wolfie - "three old men and a baby". Awful but so true.

Nighthawk76 · 02-18-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I haven't listened to all the VH albums, but of the ones I've heard, I have to agree with Mickey and choose their 1978 debut as my favorite, followed by 1984. Diver Down isn't bad, just too relient on covers. That said, their version of "Oh, Pretty Woman" just rocks.

5156 gets my vote for best VH/Hagar album, because "Dreams" is one of my very favorite songs by the band. Carnal Knowledge contains my other favorite VH/Hagar song - "Right Now".

Personally, I have no interest in listening to A Different Kind of Truth...but I do get a kick out of the nickname some people on the web have given the new lineup with Wolfie - "three old men and a baby". Awful but so true.

A Different Kind of Truth is really worth listening to. Its a great album.

Dr. Thong · 02-18-2012, 10:11 PM

Dave:

1. Van Halen
2. Fair Warning

Those two are sometimes tied for first place in my opinion.

3. Van Halen II
4. Women And Children First
5. 1984
6. A Different Kind Of Truth
7. Diver Down

Sammy:

1. 5150
2. Balance
3. OU812
4. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

Nighthawk76 · 02-18-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

4. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

Dr. Thong · 02-18-2012, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shine

My least favorite of the Sammy albums. A few good songs, but it's flat to me.

But I will say that for the first time, the drums and bass were up there in the mix.

Nighthawk76 · 02-18-2012, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

My least favorite of the Sammy albums. A few good songs, but it's flat to me.

But I will say that for the first time, the drums and bass were up there in the mix.

Andy Johns produced that one. He was an engineer on Led Zeppelin II and the sole engineer on Led Zeppelin IV and The Stones' Exile On Main Street. He is very good with bass and drums and is one of the reasons For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge came out so good.

catlover79 · 02-18-2012, 11:49 PM

Everyone remembers 1984 for "Jump", "Panama" and "Hot For Teacher", but I think the most underrated cut was "I'll Wait". To me, that was one of Diamond Dave's best vocal performances.

Dr. Thong · 02-18-2012, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Everyone remembers 1984 for "Jump", "Panama" and "Hot For Teacher", but I think the most underrated cut was "I'll Wait". To me, that was one of Diamond Dave's best vocal performances.

A song I love off that album is "Drop Dead Legs." It wasn't a single or video, but man, did it have a blazing guitar outro from Eddie.

Back when that album came out, the last thing you thought would happen was that Dave would leave the band. They'd finally broken through to the mainstream and were, no pun intended, on top of the world.

catlover79 · 02-19-2012, 12:03 AM

At least he left at the band's peak. To me, Eddie and Dave have always had that vibe similar to that of Mick/Keith and Axl/Slash. While Sammy was great in his own right with VH, he and Eddie never had that kind of chemistry.

Nighthawk76 · 02-19-2012, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

A song I love off that album is "Drop Dead Legs." It wasn't a single or video, but man, did it have a blazing guitar outro from Eddie.

Back when that album came out, the last thing you thought would happen was that Dave would leave the band. They'd finally broken through to the mainstream and were, no pun intended, on top of the world.

"Drop Dead Legs" is a great song! I think its second only to "Panama" as the best song on the album. "Jump" is good but not great, same with "Hot For Teacher". I really don't like "Top Jimmy" and "I'll Wait" (Dave doesn't have the vocal range to do ballads). I've always found 1984 to be very overrated.

catlover79 · 02-19-2012, 04:03 AM

I wonder how "I'll Wait" would sound with Sammy singing it.

02-13-2012, 05:20 PM	#1
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	Van Halen: Rank the Albums With Van Halen back in the spotlight with the awsome new album A Different Kind of Truth, their best album since 1991's For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, I thought it would be interesting if everyone ranked the 12 VH stuido albums according to preferance. Mine: 1. 5150 (1986) According to many sources this was the only Van Halen album ever to be recorded without any behind the scenes drama and I think it really shows. There is such an optimisim to this album that you can tell it's four guys simply having a good time. I think it was very creative on Eddie's part to experiment with keyboards and Sammy has never sung better. 2. For Unlawful Carnel Knowledge (1991) 3. Van Halen (1978) 4. Fair Warning (1981) Despite being one of the band's weakest sellers Fair Warning is generally considered one of the best among die hard fans, myself included. 5. Van Halen II (1979) 6. A Different Kind of Truth (2012) 7. Balance (1995) 8. OU812 (1988) 9. 1984 (1984) I know many people will question why I rank this one rather low. I've always found this album to be overrated. Though I love "Panama", "Drop Dead Legs" and "House of Pain". 10. Diver Down (1982) 11. Woman and Children First (1980) and of course.... 12. Van Halen III (1998)

02-18-2012, 07:56 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I haven't listened to all the VH albums, but of the ones I've heard, I have to agree with Mickey and choose their 1978 debut as my favorite, followed by 1984. Diver Down isn't bad, just too relient on covers. That said, their version of "Oh, Pretty Woman" just rocks. 5156 gets my vote for best VH/Hagar album, because "Dreams" is one of my very favorite songs by the band. Carnal Knowledge contains my other favorite VH/Hagar song - "Right Now". Personally, I have no interest in listening to A Different Kind of Truth...but I do get a kick out of the nickname some people on the web have given the new lineup with Wolfie - "three old men and a baby". Awful but so true.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

02-18-2012, 10:11 PM	#7
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Dave: 1. Van Halen 2. Fair Warning Those two are sometimes tied for first place in my opinion. 3. Van Halen II 4. Women And Children First 5. 1984 6. A Different Kind Of Truth 7. Diver Down Sammy: 1. 5150 2. Balance 3. OU812 4. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

02-19-2012, 12:03 AM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	At least he left at the band's peak. To me, Eddie and Dave have always had that vibe similar to that of Mick/Keith and Axl/Slash. While Sammy was great in his own right with VH, he and Eddie never had that kind of chemistry. Attached Images

02-14-2012, 06:47 PM	#2
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	1. Van Halen-Van Halen Their 1978 debut and for my money their best 2.Fair Warning-very underrated 3.Diver Down-the covers worked 4.1984-more synth than guitar, but still had its moments 5. Van Halen II 6. Women and Children First 7. A Diffrent Kind of Truth No offense to anyone but I cant stand Sammy Hagar and dont like Van Halen with him.

02-17-2012, 07:25 PM	#3
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	That the Roth albums all rank higher than the Sammy albums is to in no way a conscious decision on my part to slight Sammy Hagar as the lead singer of Van Halen, because I do like the "Van Hagar" years. I just prefer the "classic lineup." That said: 1. Van Halen II (1979) 2. Van Halen (1978) 3. MCMLXXXIV (1984) 4. Fair Warning (1981) 5. Women and Children First (1980) 6. A Different Kind of Truth (2012) 7. Diver Down (1982) 8. Balance (1995) 9. 5150 (1986) 10. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991) 11. OU812 (1988) 12. Van Halen III (1998)

02-18-2012, 11:49 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Everyone remembers 1984 for "Jump", "Panama" and "Hot For Teacher", but I think the most underrated cut was "I'll Wait". To me, that was one of Diamond Dave's best vocal performances.

02-19-2012, 04:03 AM	#15
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I wonder how "I'll Wait" would sound with Sammy singing it.