Description: "OU812" is the eighth studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen, released in 1988
This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos
Album Description & Collectors information:OU812 is the eighth studio album by American rock band Van Halen, released in May 1988. It marked the second album with lead singer Sammy Hagar, and features a mix of hard rock and pop ballads. In this web-page, we will explore the background, musical style, and critical reception of the album. Background After the success of their previous album, 5150, Van Halen began working on new material in 1987. The band recorded the album at Eddie Van Halen's home studio, 5150, in California, and it was produced by the band and engineer Donn Landee. The album's title is a phonetic play on the phrase "Oh, you ate one too," and was chosen by the band as a joke. Musical Style OU812 features a mix of hard rock and pop ballads, with a focus on catchy hooks and melodic choruses. The album's lead single, "When It's Love," became one of the band's biggest hits, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Other standout tracks include the hard rock anthem "Mine All Mine," and the power ballad "Finish What Ya Started." While the album may not be as heavy as some of the band's earlier work, it still showcases their musical talent and ability to craft memorable songs. Critical Reception OU812 received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising the album's catchy hooks and melodic choruses, while others criticized its lack of musical innovation. Rolling Stone's J.D. Considine wrote that the album "isn't particularly distinctive," while AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted that "it's pleasant and well-crafted, but lacks the sense of danger that made the band's earlier work so compelling." Despite mixed reviews, the album was a commercial success, reaching number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The title OU812 is a phonetic play on the phrase "Oh, you ate one too," which is a humorous way of saying "me too." The band members of Van Halen chose the title as a joke, and it reflects the band's playful sense of humor and lighthearted attitude. |
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Music Genre: |
American Heavy Metal / Hard Rock |
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Album Production Information: |
Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Donn Landee This album was recorded at: *5150" Mastered by Bob Hala Album cover design: Jeri Heiden, Maura P. McLaughlin Album cover photography: Eika Aoshima, Stuart Watson |
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Record Label Information: |
Warner Bros WB 925 732-1 WX 177 |
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Media Format: |
12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
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Year & Country: |
1988 Made in Germany |
Complete Track-listing of the album "VAN HALEN - OU812" |
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The detailed tracklist of this record "VAN HALEN - OU812" is:
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Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )
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Van Halen was one of the most popular and influential rock bands of the 1980s. Formed in Pasadena, California in 1972, the band consisted of Eddie Van Halen on guitar, his brother Alex Van Halen on drums, Michael Anthony on bass guitar, and David Lee Roth as the lead vocalist. The band's sound was a blend of hard rock, heavy metal, and pop, and they were known for their high-energy live performances and flamboyant stage presence.
In the early 1980s, Van Halen was at the height of their fame. They had released several successful albums, including "Van Halen" (1978), "Van Halen II" (1979), "Women and Children First" (1980), "Fair Warning" (1981), and "Diver Down" (1982). These albums contained some of the band's most popular and enduring songs, such as "Runnin' With the Devil," "Jamie's Cryin'," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," "And the Cradle Will Rock...," "Unchained," and "Jump."
Perhaps the most iconic song of Van Halen's career, "Jump" was released in 1984 on the album "1984." The song was a departure from the band's typical hard rock sound, featuring synthesizers and a catchy pop melody. It quickly became a massive hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning the band their first Grammy nomination.
Van Halen's success in the 1980s can be attributed not only to their catchy songs and high-energy performances but also to their distinctive visual style. David Lee Roth, in particular, was known for his flamboyant stage costumes, acrobatic jumps, and microphone twirls. His larger-than-life persona made him one of the most memorable frontmen in rock history.
Despite their success, Van Halen was not without their struggles during the 1980s. The band's drug and alcohol use, particularly that of Roth, was well-known, and tensions between the members often boiled over. In 1985, Roth left the band to pursue a solo career, and Van Halen replaced him with Sammy Hagar, who had previously fronted the band Montrose. With Hagar, the band released four more albums, including "5150" (1986), "OU812" (1988), "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" (1991), and "Balance" (1995).
While the band's sound evolved with the addition of Hagar, their popularity began to wane in the early 1990s. Hagar left the band in 1996, and Roth briefly rejoined for a reunion tour in 1996 and 1997. The band continued to tour and release albums with various lead singers throughout the 2000s and 2010s, but their glory days were in the 1980s.