Description

Very rare original 1991 German pressing with printed innersleeve

The smirking title indicates the true nature of For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, Van Halen’s third album with Sammy Hagar. Backing away from the diversity of OU812, the band turns in some of the heaviest riffs of their career, and also some of the most fully realized experimental songwriting. Also there’s a post grunge vibe that anticipates even grunge. Pleasure Dome? It’s sick. Runaround is that classic VH template updated for the early 90s, brilliant. Spanked is poorly sequenced, prob would’ve faired better as a b-side (would’ve been a hit for Whitesnake!). The rhythm section is masterful throughout. Big hooks throughout. Eddie Van Halen’s guitar work remains impressive where he blends harmonics, tapping, and unusual whammy bar noises, producing something far more futuristic and shallow sounds than before. The highlight of the album is “Right Now”, a heavy, serious (by Foreigner standards) mock metal track about being assertive, and leaving your emotional baggage behind and just living life in the present. A great idea, and a good song compositionally, but they sold it to a Pepsi rebranding campaign that failed. F.U.C.K. wasnt as huge as 5150 but it still managed to reach the charts, making Van Halen the only hard rock band to be able to do that post-Nevermind.

Track list:
1. Poundcake
2. Judgement Day
3. Spanked
4. Runaround
5. Pleasure Dome
6. In N Out
7. Man On A Mission
8. The Dream Is Over
9. Right Now
10. 316
11. Top Of The World