Van Halen - Van Halen (1978)
Genre - Hard Rock
Van Halen was the self titled debut album by Van Halen and was released on February 10, 1978.
Runnin' with the Devil - This was the first Van Halen song I heard. I heard it in the movie Ready to Rumble with the nuns singing it in a truck. An incoming train sound is heard in the opening in the song, then comes an incredible riff that you will grow to love throughout the song. David Lee Roth's lyrics about living the risky life fits with the riff very nicely. Great way to kick off the album. 9.5/10
Eruption - This song is just sexy Eddie is just making love to his guitar. Eruption has an amazing guitar solo, hell the song is just that an amazing guitar solo. Eddie Van Halen did things on the guitar that no one thought was possible, Eruption is a prime example to prove that. From the tapping to the shredding it is awesome. Eruption is one of the greatest solos ever. 10/10
You Really Got Me - Usually if you hear Eruption on the radio you're going to here this song combined. This is an awesome cover of a Ray Davies song. Like many of the songs on the album get ready for an awesome riff by Eddie, followed by Roth delivering the vocals. There is even a great little solo here. This song is easily the best cover on the album. 9.5/10
Ain't Talkin' bout Love - The next track is one of the best Van Halen ever recorded. Personally I feel this is the best song on the album. The opening riff is just sexy and will get you hooked right away wanting more. There is a lot to enjoy about this song, if it may be the rocking main riff or the quiet picking bridge. The main enjoyment of this song most people would find would have to be the guitar solo. Roth's vocals here are in a bit of a serious tone, which really adds to this song. Overall this is just an amazing song. 10/10
I'm the One - Fast song maybe the fastest on the album. Another great riff with grab your attention. The lyrics are catchy so they will go stuck in your brain. Overall I'm the One is good song but it does sound a bit mediocre compared to what we have had playing. 7.5/10
Jamie's Cryin - The lyrics of the song seem to be about a guy who wants to do some fooling around with this girl named Jamie. Jamie turns him down and now she is crying about what could have happened.The usual Eddie riff gets you hooked, however his brother Alex should very well grab your attention with the opening melodic drum beat to kick off the song. Eddie seems to be playing more of rhythm than lead guitar, but he is pulling off some cool riffs. Anthony's bass playing seems to really shine here and it is probably his best effort on the album. 9/10
Atomic Punk - Honestly how does Eddie do it? This next track opens up with a crazy riff. Aside from the opening riff there is really nothing to special about this song sadly. Lyrically however this song has some pretty cool fictional lines. Like I'm the One, Atomic Punk falls a little short behind. 7/10
Feel Your Love Tonight - Rather cheesy song that give Van Halen the party band label on them. The singing is rather annoying here and this song is too generic. This song also lacks the classic Eddie soloing, so it is a bit of a break. Overall Feed Your Love would happen to be my least favorite song on the album. 6.5/10
Little Dreamer - Wow a step up from before. This song sounds rather ghostly and has haunting like vibe to it. The classic Eddie riff is here again that is sure to be stuck in your head. Roth is not annoying here like on the last track and he doesn't sound like a woman here. 8.5/10
Ice Cream Man - Originally this song was by John Brim, Van Halen do a good job covering it. Ice Cream Man opens up with some acoustic guitar strumming and it builds up from there. Eddie plays amazing as usual, there are not enough words to describe his playing. This is a good cover and a good song, however it may get annoying if overplayed. 8/10
On Fire - The final song of the album is On Fire! Pun is totally intended. No need to describe Eddie's fantastic guitar skills at this point just hear it for yourself. The bass and drums are actually noticeable here too. The only bad things about this song it is for one to short, and the back up vocals get annoying. 8.5/10
Overall - This album is for sure a classic and an awesome debut for Van Halen. This is one of the albums in my opinion that built up the standards for guitar work. Eddie really showed off his amazing skill, just listen to Eruption for a quick view. Roth can be heard singing his heart out on a lot of songs on the album. My only complaints though are Roth can be a bit annoying on some tracks and the lyrics at times are a bit cheesy. In conclusion Van Halen's debut album is very good.
Genre - Hard Rock
Van Halen was the self titled debut album by Van Halen and was released on February 10, 1978.
Runnin' with the Devil - This was the first Van Halen song I heard. I heard it in the movie Ready to Rumble with the nuns singing it in a truck. An incoming train sound is heard in the opening in the song, then comes an incredible riff that you will grow to love throughout the song. David Lee Roth's lyrics about living the risky life fits with the riff very nicely. Great way to kick off the album. 9.5/10
Eruption - This song is just sexy Eddie is just making love to his guitar. Eruption has an amazing guitar solo, hell the song is just that an amazing guitar solo. Eddie Van Halen did things on the guitar that no one thought was possible, Eruption is a prime example to prove that. From the tapping to the shredding it is awesome. Eruption is one of the greatest solos ever. 10/10
You Really Got Me - Usually if you hear Eruption on the radio you're going to here this song combined. This is an awesome cover of a Ray Davies song. Like many of the songs on the album get ready for an awesome riff by Eddie, followed by Roth delivering the vocals. There is even a great little solo here. This song is easily the best cover on the album. 9.5/10
Ain't Talkin' bout Love - The next track is one of the best Van Halen ever recorded. Personally I feel this is the best song on the album. The opening riff is just sexy and will get you hooked right away wanting more. There is a lot to enjoy about this song, if it may be the rocking main riff or the quiet picking bridge. The main enjoyment of this song most people would find would have to be the guitar solo. Roth's vocals here are in a bit of a serious tone, which really adds to this song. Overall this is just an amazing song. 10/10
I'm the One - Fast song maybe the fastest on the album. Another great riff with grab your attention. The lyrics are catchy so they will go stuck in your brain. Overall I'm the One is good song but it does sound a bit mediocre compared to what we have had playing. 7.5/10
Jamie's Cryin - The lyrics of the song seem to be about a guy who wants to do some fooling around with this girl named Jamie. Jamie turns him down and now she is crying about what could have happened.The usual Eddie riff gets you hooked, however his brother Alex should very well grab your attention with the opening melodic drum beat to kick off the song. Eddie seems to be playing more of rhythm than lead guitar, but he is pulling off some cool riffs. Anthony's bass playing seems to really shine here and it is probably his best effort on the album. 9/10
Atomic Punk - Honestly how does Eddie do it? This next track opens up with a crazy riff. Aside from the opening riff there is really nothing to special about this song sadly. Lyrically however this song has some pretty cool fictional lines. Like I'm the One, Atomic Punk falls a little short behind. 7/10
Feel Your Love Tonight - Rather cheesy song that give Van Halen the party band label on them. The singing is rather annoying here and this song is too generic. This song also lacks the classic Eddie soloing, so it is a bit of a break. Overall Feed Your Love would happen to be my least favorite song on the album. 6.5/10
Little Dreamer - Wow a step up from before. This song sounds rather ghostly and has haunting like vibe to it. The classic Eddie riff is here again that is sure to be stuck in your head. Roth is not annoying here like on the last track and he doesn't sound like a woman here. 8.5/10
Ice Cream Man - Originally this song was by John Brim, Van Halen do a good job covering it. Ice Cream Man opens up with some acoustic guitar strumming and it builds up from there. Eddie plays amazing as usual, there are not enough words to describe his playing. This is a good cover and a good song, however it may get annoying if overplayed. 8/10
On Fire - The final song of the album is On Fire! Pun is totally intended. No need to describe Eddie's fantastic guitar skills at this point just hear it for yourself. The bass and drums are actually noticeable here too. The only bad things about this song it is for one to short, and the back up vocals get annoying. 8.5/10
Overall - This album is for sure a classic and an awesome debut for Van Halen. This is one of the albums in my opinion that built up the standards for guitar work. Eddie really showed off his amazing skill, just listen to Eruption for a quick view. Roth can be heard singing his heart out on a lot of songs on the album. My only complaints though are Roth can be a bit annoying on some tracks and the lyrics at times are a bit cheesy. In conclusion Van Halen's debut album is very good.
