I used to be a huge Van Halen fan. Not that I dont like them anymore, I just don't listen to them as much as I used to. While the DLR era produced consistentyl better albums than Van Hagar, 5150, F.U.C.K, and Balance are really really great albums. Also, for anyone who thinks Van Hagar sucks, you really need to see them perform live. Hagar is such a great performer and a much better vocalist than DLR. To really compare both eras though is pretty tough considering they dont sound anything alike. Also if Sammy Hagar is coming to your town, I sugest checking him out. His solo songs are all the greatest (he does have a few really awesome songs though), but the guy knows how to put on a show. I have both Van Halen DVDs (with Hagar), two Sammy Hagar solo DVDs, and Ive seen Van Halen with Hagar live and Ive seen Sammy Hagar solo live.