Van Halen's Raw Fury: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
In 1991, Van Halen was in a combative mood. Sammy Hagar, the bandâs new frontman, wanted to call their upcoming album simply "Fuck," a defiant gesture against censorship, mirroring his earlier rebellious spirit in the 80s solo hit "I Can't Drive 55." While cooler heads ultimately prevailed, leading to the slightly more palatable "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge," the message of defiance remained. The album was a statement, a testament to Van Halen's refusal to soften their hard-rocking edge.
The years since Hagar replaced David Lee Roth had seen Van Halen lean heavily on ballads like "Why Can't This Be Love," "Love Walks In," and "When It's Love." Roth, with his characteristic wit, quipped, "All of Samâs lyrics contain love. And I ainât talkinâ âbout love!" "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge," however, was a complete departure, ditching the ballads for raw, down-and-dirty hard rock. Eddie Van Halen, the band's legendary guitarist, shed his synthesizers, returning to his raw, guitar-hero roots.
The result was a mixed bag. While tracks like "Poundcake" boasted a powerful swing and an explosive opening with Eddie utilizing a power drill on his guitar strings, many felt more like perspiration than inspiration. The attempt at funk in "Spanked," with lyrics even Vince Neil might find embarrassing ("All you bad, bad boys - call her up on the spank line!"), was a major misstep.
There were glimmers of brilliance, however. Eddie's instrumental "316," a tribute to his newborn son Wolfgang, showcased a beautiful, lighter touch. "Top Of The World," with its classic Van Halen feel and a riff recycled from the outro of their mega-hit "Jump," was also a success. But the album's strongest song was the unexpected piano-led anthem "Right Now." Hagar's lyrics, filled with a message of self-empowerment, delved deeper than anything on the album.
This new Expanded Edition of "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" includes two alternate versions of "Right Now" and an instrumental take of "The Dream Is Over," further highlighting Eddie's genius even in the most routine of pieces. For diehard VH fans, the real treat lies in the unreleased audio and video from a December 1991 show in Texas. The highlight is a spirited performance of "Thereâs Only One Way To Rock," another of Hagar's solo hits.
Sadly, for Hagar's time with Van Halen, "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" marked a turning point. The band's trajectory would take a downward turn from there.
