The smirking title indicates the true nature of
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge,
Van Halen's third album with
Sammy Hagar. Backing away from the diversity of
OU812, the band turns in some of the most basic, straightforward rock & roll of its career. At times,
F.U.C.K. recalls the sleek hard rock of
Hagar's early-'80s albums, and it's undeniable that his limited vocal power had a great deal to do with the obvious nature of most of this music. While the band is still tight and professional -- and
Eddie Van Halen's guitar work remains impressive -- the songwriting is, by and large, undistinguished, with the anthemic "Right Now" standing out as the most memorable song of the batch, mainly because of its incessant chorus.