Van Halen‘s ninth studio album, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, debuted at number one and stayed there for three weeks during the summer of 1991. It was the third consecutive number one album from singer Sammy Hagar, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen and bassist Michael Anthony.
An expanded edition of the album is arriving this summer from Rhino, including a newly remastered version of the original, along with previously unreleased audio and video footage from Van Halen‘s December 4th, 1991 concert in Dallas, Texas.
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Expanded Edition) will be available on July 12th and includes two LPs, two CDs, and a Blu-ray. It is available for pre-order, here.
Rhino.com will have an exclusive bundle featuring the release and a set of four seven-inch singles, including Poundcake / Pleasure Dome, Top Of The World / In ‘N’ Out, Right Now (Organ Version) / Man On A Mission and Right Now (Guitar Version) / The Dream Is Over (Instrumental Version).
Originally released in June 1991, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge was an immediate success. It reached triple platinum certification and earned Van Halen its first Grammy Award for “Best Hard Rock Performance” and American Music Award for “Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album”. Producer and engineer Bernie Grundman expertly remastered and cut lacquers for this edition, ensuring pristine sound quality.
The expanded edition includes previously unreleased alternate versions of Right Now and The Dream Is Over. The main attraction, however, has to be the previously unreleased concert footage from Van Halen‘s December 4, 1991, performance in Dallas. Captured during the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge tour, this electrifying show is a powerful example of
The show’s setlist mixes new songs (Judgement Day and Poundcake) with songs from 5150 and OU812 (Best Of Both Worlds and Finish What Ya Started). The band also played Panama, a hit from its time with singer David Lee Roth, plus two of Hagar‘s hits, I Can’t Drive 55 and There’s Only One Way To Rock.
In addition, the Blu-ray includes the official music videos for Poundcake, Runaround, Top Of The World and the 1992 MTV VMA “Video Of The Year” winner Right Now. Finally, the remastered album is included in the set as a double LP, featuring an etching of the Van Halen logo on the fourth side.
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Expanded Edition) 2-CD track listing:
Disc One: Original Album Remastered:
1. Poundcake
2. Judgement Day
3. Spanked
4. Runaround
5. Pleasure Dome
6. In ‘N’ Out
7. Man On A Mission
8. The Dream Is Over
9. Right Now
10. 316
11. Top Of The World
Disc Two: Rarities & Live:
1. Right Now – Organ Version (Single Mix)
2. The Dream Is Over – Instrumental Version *
3. Right Now – Guitar Version (Single Mix) *
Live at the Westend Market, Dallas, TX (12/4/91):
4. Poundcake *
5. Judgement Day *
6. There’s Only One Way To Rock *
7. Runaround *
8. Why Can’t This Be Love *
9. Panama *
10. A Apolitical Blues *
11. Finish What Ya Started *
12. I Can’t Drive 55 *
13. Best Of Both Worlds *
14. Top Of The World *
Blu-ray Live at the Westend Market, Dallas, TX (12/4/91):
1. Poundcake *
2. Judgement Day *
3. There’s Only One Way To Rock *
4. Runaround *
5. Why Can’t This Be Love *
6. Panama *
7. A Apolitical Blues *
8. Finish What Ya Started *
9. I Can’t Drive 55 *
10. Best Of Both Worlds *
11. Top Of The World *
12. Poundcake – Promo Video
13. Runaround – Promo Video
14. Right Now – Promo Video
15. Top Of The World – Promo Video
LP: Original Album Remastered 2-LP track listing
LP One:
Side One:
1. Poundcake
2. Judgement Day
3. Spanked
4. Runaround
Side Two:
1. Pleasure Dome
2. In ‘N’ Out
3. Man On A Mission
LP Two:
Side One:
1. The Dream Is Over
2. Right Now
3. 316
4. Top Of The World
Side Two:
Van Halen Logo Etching
* Previously unreleased
10 Responses
Hi Dana
I’ve noticed that the article repeats itself.
Secondly, I don’t care what anybody else says, this is and will always be my favourite version of Van Halen. I also find it hard to believe that this October will mark the fourth anniversary of Eddie’s passing.
Time is moving way to fast – it seems like yesterday I was 21 yet I’m turning 46 later this year.
Hello my British Bud,
Thank you, I have no idea how that happened, either it was an error on my end, or the PR release I copied, was ay fault. No matter, it has been fixed, thanks to you.
46 huh? You’re a baby. I am turning “I Can’t Drive 55,” this August. I miss the 80s, so much, just for the music alone. As for Eddie’s passing, you’re right, it does not seem like four years, holy moly, seems like he passed yesterday. God knows, how many decades it has been since Randy passed? I just looked it up, 42 years! Good lord, that is a middle aged adult.
Dana I never forget how long it is for the legendary Mr Rhoads because he passed on the 19th March 1982 and my middle brother (there’s three of us altogether) was born on the 29th March 1982, so ten days later.
And if you don’t really want to drive 55, set your cruise control to something more comfortable! :()
I remember how much I loved this album back then, with the exception of Right Now. The sound Eddie produced on Poundcake became another memorable hook. I really enjoyed the video that came with its premiere on MTv at the time. I wish we still had good video channels that provide a good mix of current and classic.
So are we to believe there aren’t any unreleased Dave “Golden Era” finished tracks in the vaults? Ed said in an interview that there are “tons” of them. Wolfie now has control over what gets released and he stated he has no intention to release anything. In other words he don’t need the money nor wants to put in the effort or have attention diverted from Mammoth.
Come on “Kid” give us a break!
Hello Dana..ok jeez doesn’t feel like 4 years..and your kinda a toddler…lol I’ll be 63 in March..and I always remember Randy passing cause we were casual friends,plus my bd is March 20…so it kinda hits home every year…but am thankful for the memories…:)
Hello Mike,
I am SO JEALOUS of you. Please share any, and all, Randy stories that you can. THANK YOU!!!
Van Halen only works with Roth…this is Sammy’s solo band with the Van Halen brothers and Michael Anthony as guests….they went from being this spectacle, which was Roth’s soul, R&B vision (check out this band Bloodstone from the ’70s, a huge Roth influence). which only Roth saw would work with the Van Halens …to this flat line, obnoxious but polite at the same time (they created an oxymoron), fraternity rock band. And I like Sammy a lot as a solo artist. Ed’s facebook is still hacked…and it’s so funny…sorry, Ed…it’s not from where you’re sitting, I know.