OU812

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OU812
Studio album by Van Halen
Released	May 24, 1988
Recorded	1987 at 5150 Studios, Hollywood, CA
Genre	Hard rock
Length	50:09
Label	Warner Bros.
Producer	Van Halen, Donn Landee
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Robert Christgau (C) link Rolling Stone link
Van Halen chronology
5150 (1986) OU812 (1988) For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)

OU812 is the eighth album by American hard rock band Van Halen, released in 1988. The album title is allegedly a joke on Van Halen's previous lead singer David Lee Roth's 1986 album Eat 'Em and Smile (OU812 translates phonetically to "Oh, you ate one too?"). However, "OU812" was also seen in the 70s sitcom Taxi written on a wall.^[1] Furthermore, "OU812" is the license plate on the red Ferrari that Cheech and Chong drive in Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (released in 1980).

The original European release (as shipped in France, Germany, Italy and the UK) is missing track 10, as are all vinyl pressings of the album. The CD and some cassette versions have Track 10. The track listing on the back cover is arranged in alphabetical order, instead of in sequence.

Many fans derided OU812's production; Eddie Van Halen's guitar sits low in the mix, and its sound, as on 5150 does not resemble the loud, bright sound on the Roth-era albums. However, the crisp acoustic western sound and style on "Finish What Ya Started" was well received as a first for the band.^[2]

One song, "Cabo Wabo" was a reference to the band's, particularly Sammy Hagar's, love of the Mexican resort town of Cabo San Lucas. In 1990, the band opened the Cabo Wabo Cantina in the city. However, the venture was soon bought out to be owned by Hagar in its entirety. Hagar later parlayed this into a premium tequila brand sold around the world, Cabo Wabo.^[3]

The album is dedicated to Eddie's and Alex's father, Jan, who died that year at the age of 66. The inner linings of the album include the words, "This one's for you, pa." Jan Van Halen had previously appeared playing clarinet on one track, "Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)," on Van Halen's 1982 album, Diver Down.^[4]

Track listing

All songs written by all members of the band, except where noted

1. "Mine All Mine" – 5:11†
2. "When It's Love" – 5:36†
3. "A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)" – 4:28
4. "Cabo Wabo" – 7:04†
5. "Source of Infection" – 3:58
6. "Feels So Good" – 4:27†
7. "Finish What Ya Started" – 4:20†
8. "Black and Blue" – 5:24†
9. "Sucker in a 3 Piece" – 5:52
10. "A Apolitical Blues" (Lowell George) – 3:50

† denotes a single

Personnel

• Sammy Hagar - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Eddie Van Halen - lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
• Michael Anthony - bass, backing vocals
• Alex Van Halen - drums, percussion

Production

• Producer: Van Halen, Donn Landee
• Engineer: Donn Landee
• Assistant engineer: Ken Deane
• Mastering: Bobby Hata
• Art direction: Jeri Heiden, Maura P. McLaughlin
• Photography: Eika Aoshima, Stuart Watson

Charts

Album

Billboard (North America)

Singles

Billboard (North America)

Unused tracks

• Numb to the Touch^[5]

References