OU812?

[AL HAGAR]

I've noticed on alot of boards that OU812 takes alot of flack. Personally I love this cd. I know the production is weak but to tell you the truth I never really paid attention to that until it was brought up on a message board a few years ago.
The songs are so diverse. I know Source of Infection and Sucker in a 3 Piece are not the greatest lyrics Sammy has ever written but aside from those 2 tracks I can't think of anything weak on this.
Mine all Mine is the most under-rated VH song in history, rippin' keyboards, cool lyrics, great drumming and backing vocals and an awsome solo. I hear alot of people rip When It's love, and this is another song that I love. Catchy lyrics, cool blend of guitar and keyboards-it's just a fun song. AFU is another under-rated song, lots of energy etc.

What I'm getting at is that this cd is very diverse, no 2 songs sound alike. I think Sammy and Eddie were pushing each other to see just how different they could get from the sound that was dominating radio at the time-hair bands.

About the production, yes it is bad, but in the bands defense the record company wanted this as soon as possible, I'm almost willing to bet that the mixing and mastering of the cd was done without the bands approval-as they were getting ready for the MOR tour.

One last thing, I hear alot of people really rip Apolitical Blues. I did not like this song when I first heard it but I heard the band say it was done just for fun and was just gonna be a b-side for Black n Blue, and it might appear on the cd, not the tape or LP version, this was right when cd's were getting popular so no one I knew was getting the cd version anyway. I did not hear it for years (I did not have a cd player and did not buy the Black N Blue single). When I finally heard it again it was on "The House of Blues Radio Hour" with guest hosts Eddie and Sammy, they explained that they recorded it excactly like the original, Live band, 1 mike in the middle of the room. They then played the original Little feat version and VH's version Back to back. My jaw hit the floor. They sound excactly alike. Since that time I have new found respect for that song and find it very enjoyable.

So the question is: Putting production aside, what do you think of OU812? And please no stupid Dave vs Sammy bullshit. Just try to give an honest opinion.

Al Hagar

[track 5]

I've always liked that album. Mine all Mine and Cabo Wabo are two of my favorite songs that Van Halen has ever done. Hell I've always wanted them to remix that album and give it the proper sound that it deserves. But doesn't look like that, or any other Van Halen project, is gonna happen soon. [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img] Out.

[YankeeRose]

OU812 is my favorite album that I own. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

My favorites on it are When It's Love, Mine All Mine, Feels So Good and Finish What Ya Started.

This album has been discussed hundreds of times on this site. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[ August 10, 2001 at 07:38 PM: Message edited by: YankeeRose ]

[AbeVanHalen]

I always loved OU812. It was the first new VH that I ever 'waited for', and it was worth the wait. It came out right before I started high school, and I always thought the whole thing had a great vibe to it. Nothing dark and angry, just a LOT of, well, how can I say...it's almost as if the music is enjoying itself, and bringing me along for the ride.

The production isn't so much 'bad' as it is 'thin'. I mean, it's clear as a bell, but it lacks punch and bottom. That may actually help contribute to the vibe, who knows?

I know a LOT of people who hate it, mostly because it wasn't 'hard' or 'heavy', but at the same time, LA metal was really taking off at that time, and that cd certainly distanced VH from that whole scene. I would like to have heard the NEXT step in that direction, instead of some of the tracks chosen for F.U.C.K. Eddie said they had 4 or 5 leftover tracks that he would have preferred to use, at least 2 of them were keyboard tracks, and I generally prefer those (oh no...GASP) overall. Maybe if they ever do that boxed set for Glenn, we may get to hear them.

Of course, I have to omit 'Sucker' from all this; that song just doesn't do anything for me. I am guessing that it was a rushed song, due to the M.O.R. tour.

Overall though, OU812 just has a bright, shiny vibrant energy to it that no other cd has. (well, at least for me)

[AbeVanHalen]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by track 5:
Hell I've always wanted them to remix that album and give it the proper sound that it deserves. But doesn't look like that, or any other Van Halen project, is gonna happen soon. [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img] Out.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Check the report at www.melodicrock.com. There's a rumor that the later cd's were at least remastered, but won't be released yet. Dunno if it's true or not, but anything seems possible these days.

[track 5]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AbeVanHalen:



Check the report at www.melodicrock.com. There's a rumor that the later cd's were at least remastered, but won't be released yet. Dunno if it's true or not, but anything seems possible these days.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I hear ya man. Anything is possible these days, but I doubt this is one of the, "Anything is possible" rumors out and about. Hell why not though! All it's gonna do is sell a few more cds for Van Halen. And at this point, selling cds beats the hell out of nothing on the market at all. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] Out.

[Dan Halen]

OU812 is a great album. It's good from start to finish. Mike's background vocals are top-notch, as well as Ed's guitar and keyboard playing. Alex's drum sound could stand out more, but Sammy's voice is very strong. The solos are outstanding, like in Mine All Mine and Feels So Good. Overall, it's a good follow-up to 5150.

[Unchained Wolfie]

I used to call this my least fav. VH cd, but it has really grown on me, and I like it alot now!! Great cd!

[YankeeRose]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AbeVanHalen:
[QB]
The production isn't so much 'bad' as it is 'thin'. I mean, it's clear as a bell, but it lacks punch and bottom. That may actually help contribute to the vibe, who knows?

I would like to have heard the NEXT step in that direction, instead of some of the tracks chosen for F.U.C.K. Eddie said they had 4 or 5 leftover tracks that he would have preferred to use, at least 2 of them were keyboard tracks, and I generally prefer those (oh no...GASP) overall. Maybe if they ever do that boxed set for Glenn, we may get to hear them.

QB]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I agree with what you said about the production, it is very clear and I like it, a little more bass would be nice though. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]


I also generally prefer keyboard songs. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[marty]

.I also love ou812 mine all mine, cabo, when i
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Great album better allround than 5150 .The live version mine all mine kicks ass I like apolitical blues too.I'M a kiwi who was living in Seallte and saw vh monsters of rock tour 1988 awesome concert


[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Glenn]

I like it, but it's probably my least favorite Van Halen album. The sound is all wrong in my opinion. I actually think Balance is the only Sammy era album that they got the overall sound right on, but that's another topic altogether. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

The best songs are Cabo Wabo, Mine All Mine, AFU and Feels So Good.

I've never really connected with When It's Love before; it's probably my least favorite VH ballad of all.

Some bad lyrics here, the obvious Sucker in a Three Piece and Source of Infection, plus the lyrics to Black and Blue are horrible, though it's a good song otherwise.

Also, I hate the album cover, horrible Beatles ripoff that it is. Love Darwin's Monkey ( [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]) though, my wife bought me a replica of that statue for Christmas. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Cabo Kid]

"No sir, I don't like it."

Thank you for your opinion, Mr. Horse. While I would not say that I dislike it, like Mr. Horse, I would say it's probably one the least listened to VH cd's I have.

[BrokenCombs]

I like the album, though it is not my favorite. it does contain a few of my all time favorite VH songs: The amazing Cabo Wabo, Mine All Mine, and Feels So Good (My favorite VH ballad)

[Unchained Wolfie]

Ren and Stimpy! LOl CAbo!

[Cabo Kid]

UW...glad to see there's another Ren & Stimpy fan here! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] It sucks they took it off...at least keep it on Nickelodeon in some sort of rerun form! [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] That show was SO funny...gross at times, but funny! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]