VAN HALEN - 5150 (*New-CD, 1989, Warner)

 VAN HALEN - 5150 (*New-CD, 1989, Warner)

As original Van Halen vocalist David Lee Roth quit the band to pursue a solo career, or was fired (depending on who you believe), Eddie and Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony carried on by hiring Sammy Hagar. Hagar was a middling artist on his own, but he proved to be a powerhouse when placed in front of hard rock's most muscular and innovative instrumental unit. On 5150--the title is police code for "escaped lunatic"--you can hear the band's excitement at having struck a winning combination. Songs such as "Why Can't This Be Love," "Dreams," "Best of Both Worlds," and "Love Walks In" combine to make this the early high-watermark of the Van Hagar era. --Daniel Durchholz