Van Halen - The Collection II (2023 Remaster) [24-96]

Van Halen has released a new boxed set this fall spotlighting the iconic band’s second incarnation, with singer Sammy Hagar, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony. The upcoming set includes newly remastered versions of four multi-platinum studio albums, along with a selection of rarities recorded between 1989 and 2004.

All the music in the set was mastered directly from the original master tapes, a process overseen by the band’s longtime engineer, Donn Landee.

The new set is the long-awaited sequel to The Collection, a compilation released in 2015 that focused on the six studio albums recorded by the band’s original line-up, which featured singer David Lee Roth. THE COLLECTION II picks up where its predecessor left off and covers the four consecutive #1 albums released during the Hagar era: 5150 (1986), OU812 (1988), For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991), and Balance (1995).

Disc 1: 5150

Disc 2: OU812

Disc 3: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

Disc 4: Balance

Disc 5: Studio Rarities 1989-2004

Sammy Hagar & The Circle - Crazy Times (2022) [24-96]

Never one for subtlety, Sammy Hagar calls his grappling with the pandemic album Crazy Times -- a title that speaks equally to the personal and the world at large. Hagar does spend some time contemplating "Childhood's End" and "Father Time," but make no mistake, he's still a guy who will jam out to "Funky Feng Shui" and turn Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up" into an anthem for drinking beer. Instead of canceling each other, the party tunes play off the reflective numbers, creating something that hints at emotional depth. Make no mistake, the Circle -- the band featuring Sammy's old Van Halen running partner Michael Anthony and drummer Jason Bonham, along with guitarist Vic Johnson -- still favor good times over glum, yet this set of old pros enjoy flexing their muscles on a variety of different moods, making Crazy Times an unusually effective Hagar record. 

Vic Johnson – guitar, backing vocals

Michael Anthony – bass, backing vocals

Jason Bonham – drums

01. Intro: The Beginning Of The End (1:50)

02. Slow Drain (4:55)

03. Feed Your Head (3:19)

04. Pump It Up (3:02)

05. Be Still (4:01)

06. You Get What You Pay For (3:57)

07. Crazy Times (4:27)

08. Funky Feng Shui (2:18)

09. Father Time (4:05)

10. Childhood's End (5:36)

11. 2120 (4:27)

12. Father Time (Acoustic) (3:45)

Van Halen - Sammy Hagar era (4 CD, 1986-1995/FLAC)

 

It’s one of the ongoing debates of rock: David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar? The issue has divided fans of the mighty Van Halen for decades. It’s no surprise that a large portion of fans side with the band’s original incarnation featuring David Lee Roth which took the rock world by storm in 1978.  The Hagar years have often garnered antipathy which, to this writer, seems unwarranted.