For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

Van Halen | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 17, 1991
• Label: Warner 1061
• Copyright: 1991 Warner Bros. Records
• Genres: Hard Rock & Metal/Hard Rock, Hard Rock & Metal/Pop Metal, Rock/Rock Guitarists
• ASIN: B00123HGEM
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (114 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Van Halen return to their hard-rock roots, September 14, 2005

By 

Daniel Maltzman (Arlington, MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Audio CD)

In 1991 Van Halen released their ninth studio album "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge." It was their third album with lead singer Sammy Hagar and their first collaboration with producer Ted Templeman since "1984" (1984). Perhaps because Templeman was back at the helm as co-producer, "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" rocks a lot harder than its two processors "5150" (1986) and "OU812" (1988).

Released in the waning days of pop-metal, right before the onset of the alternative rock boom of '91, "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" eschews many of the commercial aspects of "5150" and "OU812." While the album overall is quite radio/MTV friendly, the album lacks the ballads and keyboards of Van Hagar's first two albums.

I find "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" to sound more like Sammy Hagar's 80s Geffen albums-"Standing Hampton" (1981), "Three Lock Box" (1982) and "VOA" (1984) as opposed to the early Van Hagar albums or classic Roth-era Van Halen. In short, "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" is meat-and-potatoes, no nonsense AOR rock n' roll.

Van Halen and Hagar's third collaboration saw all involved return to their roots, more or less. The band opted to make a great hard-rock album, as opposed to a more commercial adult-contemporary one.

While "5150" and "OU812" were strong, the band hadn't sounded so good in years. Unlike "OU812," you can actually hear Michael Anthony's bass. Drummer Alex Van Halen didn't play on some lame drum machine (as he did on "5150") and the tone and mix sounds much better here than it did on "5150" and "OU812." Sammy Hagar's lyrics showed more depth and he, as always, gives a fine vocal performance. And, it goes without saying that Eddie Van Halen sounds as great as ever, contributing at least a few screeching solos to each song. And while the band certainly rocks harder here than they did on the two proceeding albums, the song-writing was still strong. The album is filled with good hooks and sing-along melodies. Although some songs are better than others, there really isn't any filler on "For Unlawful Canal Knowledge."

Up to this point in the band's career, the overall tone of Van Halen's catalogue was celebratory. "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" represents the last album of that era. It was really the last feel-good Van Halen album. Although "Balance" (1995) is a fine album, it was a distinctly dark album released in a musical landscape that had abolished all traces of 80s rock (Van Halen, KISS, Aerosmith, were among those spared). "Van Halen 3" (1998) saw Van Halen experiment and venture out in a way that Van Halen's fans almost unanimously rejected. "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" was released at a time when bands like Poison and Warrant enjoyed mainstream popularity and huge commercial successes. Much like "Balance" reflected the dark musical landscape of the times, "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" reflected the sunny careless days of Beverley Hills 90210 and George H.W. Bush's "1000 points of light." That is not to say that "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" lacks substance, as the band shows depth in songs like "Right Now" and "Judgment Day." But the album's overall tone is bright and optimistic, unlike "Balance" which is pessimistic and dark.

"For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" opens up strong with the arena-rock anthem "Poundcake" which was the band's most rocking song since "Panama" (from "1984"). "

"Judgment Day," has a great groove and Hagar shows some depth with his questioning of the religious right and televangelists.

Although "Spanked" is mid-tempo, it never gets tepid. The lyrics are a little stupid, but stupid in a naïve, Sammy Hagar/jock rock kind-of-way, so I'll give Hagar a pass.

"Runaround" is just a fun song that keeps up the momentum.

"Pleasure Dome," whose meaning is obscure, is said to be a song about masturbation. This song has an almost mystical vibe to it, with a really cool drum roll-it's different for Van Halen and a really cool song.

Although the title of "In and Out" may lead one to believe it's just another stupid song about sex, it actually is far more substantive than that. The major point of the song being that life is hard and you have to pay debts throughout life.

Although not an album highlight, the catchy mid-paced "Man on a Mission" keeps the album going.

"The Dream is Over" is a personal favorite of mine. It has a great infectious groove, catchy sing-along chorus, and killer solos-in short, it has all the ingredients of the perfect Van Halen song. It's a song about letting go, of letting a dream die and moving on. "The Dream is Over" demonstrates Hagar's everyman wisdom at its best.

The album's huge hit and centerpiece "Right Now" introduced "Generation Y" to Van Halen. "Right Now" should silence Van Halen's detractors who claim that the band never had any songs with substance. Sammy Hagar's lyrics may not be witty and clever like Roth's, or profound like Lennon and Dylan's. However, as previously stated, Hagar's lyrics do encompass an "everyman wisdom"-a blue-collar insight that you learn though the school-of-hard-knocks, as opposed to reading Plato. "Right Now" shows this kind of insight. And while the song's theme-live in the present, forget about the past, don't worry about the future-may seem obvious, Hagar's lyrics are clever and memorable. He tells the theme in a way that puts life in perspective.

"316" is a short lullaby-like acoustic instrumental tribute to Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang.

I see the upbeat "Top of the World" as a sequel to "Dreams" (from "5150"), but with guitar in place of synthesizers. This upbeat rocker is strong enough and a good way to conclude the album.

In all honesty, "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" can't touch the classic first six Van Halen albums-but very few ones can. Nor is "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" quite as strong as some of Sammy Hagar's solo albums-"Danger Zone" (1980), "Standing Hampton" (1981), and "Marching to Mars" (1997)-as some examples. Still, although Van Halen purists will never accept anything after "1984," "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" is a strong album that should please most fans.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Keeps you rockin', November 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Audio CD)

Even though this is an older album, I still to this day listen to it...alot. Eddie's guitar is great as usual, and Sammy's vocals are outstanding. Its ashame he's no longer with them. Songs like "Poundcake" "Judgement Day" and "Man on a Mission" let you know just exactly who it is you're listening to. There's no mistaking Eddie's crunch sound on the guitar, and Sammy's dynamic vocals. Alex keeps it alive pounding the skins in a way only he can, and finally Mikey's bass is very noticable! If ever you think this album is under par, take a listen to VAN HALEN 3...you'll greatly appreciate the hard driving yet melodic Cardinal Knowledge album. Lets try another album like this one guys!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of '90s Van Halen, September 10, 2004

By 

anonymous (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Audio CD)

This album really sounds like a throwback to the best days of Van Halen in the '80's. The obvious difference is Sammy Hagar. Hagars' voice is really strong here and the music is great. Eddie's guitar and Alex on drums have never sounded better. I have to note here that on the song "Right Now" Alex's drums sound awesome! That song alone is worth buying this one.