Van Halen

\m/ Hollywood Hard Rock \m/

When the first song on your debut album is legendary, you know you're in for a good time.

Good

Favorite Track: You Really Got Me

1/2

A classic.

Leyendo la historia de como se grabó el disco, es interesante como ya la banda tenía en mente todo lo que iba a hacer y fue un proceso de grabación muy rapido y practicamente en crudo porque quedó tal cual grabaron. Es un album que personalmente me gusto por su sonoridad rockera de los finales de los 70s, marcando una epoca de hard rock sin precedentes. El timbre de la guitarra principal bastante aguda y bastante aguda la mezcla por los platillos de la bateria.

Yeah the guitar is great. BUT. It is over produced poodle permed cock rock with some lazy filling. Good but not great.

Rock of ages shite

Really good.

Fun, energetic and full of hits. I enjoyed this one a lot!

I thought itwas really good and Nice rock. Some songs i knew already. It was a good album

It's a pretty fun album Will I listen to again: 50%

Not for me

Clearly a legendary record for a reason, so many radio-ready catchy bangers, and Eddie's guitar work is awesome. But for me, none of those tracks knock my dick in the dirt, and if I never heard any of them again, it would be fine. Except for Ain't Talkin' About Love, that song fucks.

Easy 5 star classic.

Van Halen let everybody know what they were about from the get-go, and this album is a tight 35 minute roller coaster.

3.5

Perfect album. 5/5

Familiar sounds. Mostly good.

The first time I heard running with the devil on the radio I was blown away. There was nothing like that at the time.

Remarkably short album but it slaps. Almost every song is an iconic Van Halen song that has seen radio play for years. The only song I wasn't familiar with was "On Fire" which is incredibly good.

The first side is great, but by the end of the second side the steam has just about run out. It's hard to mark this album down, particularly because it's about as close to a live album as you can get based on the limited production. I'm going with a 4.

Yeah, this was a fun one. Always loved Eddie Van Halen’s guitar style and David Lee Roth’s vocals.

His voice - how??? So many jams on this. Heck yeah.

A banger, such a solid, fun album

Got past the radio songs, and great album

This is a fantastic album. Guitar work on every track is top notch.

No private spotify session needed, I have this on CD somewhere. This album is a lot of fun. Eddie's guitar work is transcendental and got a lot of kids playing the electric guitar, only to find out setting their goals to play Eruption was far out of reach. Eddie, rest in peace, you golden god.

The perfect antidote to a stressful day at work. Play it loud and proud! Great guitar. Great noise. I enjoyed this. I mean, I'm not a huge Van Halen fan, but this was definitely the right album at the right time, for me. Lift music - but not in that way, in an uplifting way! Made me wish I could play the guitar🎸🤘😎

Where to start with a band who inspired a hundred 80s hair metal bands? 1978 when this was released. In the same year The Jam were covering The Mighty Kinks and wishing they could be like David Watts, millions of American teenagers were wishing they could be like Dave Lee Roth 😀 I like that Van Halen covered The Kinks and opened them up to a huge new audience, but I can't stand their version! Listen back to back and to me it's clear that less is more. Lots of the tracks are familiar because Planet Rock love them but I don't really like their sound or style. Some decent riffs but 'shredding' doesn't do much for me. So sorry, not my favourite. I like 'Jump' but that came much later, and even then I prefer the live acoustic Aztec Camera version. Guess I'm not cut out for hair metal 🙃

Cool guitar noise from some very talented guitarists. HOWEVER, I can’t help but find music a bit dull when everything is so full on all the time. It’s almost like it all blurs together and becomes less impactful as a result. I might be talking nonsense, but it just didn’t wow me somehow.

This sounds great up loud. Everything about it is BIG. I love the heavy, crunchy guitar sound, and some of the lead guitar is very technically impressive. I can imagine Van Halen would’ve been amazing to watch live. A reliable personal barometer by which I gauge my enjoyment of music is how it makes me feel physically. When I’m enjoying a piece of music I get this electric shivering sensation down my arms and legs, and I got it with this album. I watched Wayne’s World 2 this week, and this is exactly the sort of thing they would like. Party on, Garth!

Hair metal is cringe.

Oh yea! This album is classic and legendary.

It's Van Halen and they are a very distinct sound, but it's just not the type of rock or sound that caters to my ears. They slay, and have a ton of energy, but it's just not the most pleasant thing to listen to. I appreciate what they've done for music, and they have good moments, it's just not music that's for me.

Enjoyable but repetitive

I forgot how enjoyable this album was, what a treat!

FANTASTIC! IT IS THE VAN HALEN ALBUM. Put them on the map and a true classic!

Have on vinyl. Revolutionary sound, great singles, but some weak tracks. Very influential, but it doesn't warrant 5 stars

I don't condone guitar-jerking metal, but this actually starts pretty strong although it becomes more and more cringe, and, the lows of hair metal should be noted as Van Halen's fault.

Okay, in a way.

Can't miss debut album that set the world on fire and made every kid pick up a guitar and want to be a rock star. Did I mention that these guys lay down a groove? That's so deep that asses have no other option but to start shaking. Van Halen stands as one of the greatest swing bands, ever to invade rock and roll.

Considering this is Van Halen’s debut album that kicked off their whole monumental career, the importance of this album can hardly be overlooked. It’s some great first steps that started the band on their way to superstar status. That being said, I feel that there’s only a few standout songs with the rest having that iconic Van Halen sound but lacking that pedal-to-the-metal energy to make them truly special. Outstanding debut, but unrealized compared to some of their other material.

Whoa. There's so many classics on one album. It's such a fun time playing the whole thing out and it should have even been longer. There's only one real way to describe it: it rocks.

....

They sure as hell put on a show. More like a 3.5, but I’ll round to 4.

Sounds so far ahead of its time. Eruption is here! Basically flawless

Possibly the best debut album ever. There's so much swagger on this record. Come out blasting with the first track, and never let up.

I’m the one is a jam

Fantastic sound, though it could probably be a little better with some more focus on sounding good rather than technical ability. Still great though. 4/5

This is a lot of fun but the shrieking voice and the endless noodling on the guitar (and that terrible cover of the Kinks almost at the start) is *so* not my kind of thing that I will never ever put this on again. The riff from Ain't Talking About Love is great but I'll just play that Apollo 440 single instead...

Has to be one of my all time favourite albums. You really got me was my first intro to VH and a long standing like. Some magic RIFS in this album, especially Talking About Love.

Highlights: Eruption Atomic Punk It's hard to think about Van Halen impartially. On the one hand, they are held up up as unimpeachable Gods of rock and roll. On the other hand, I have heard so much of their music, so often against my will, that their sound is cliche. I had never given any VH album a full listen, probably because of their omnipresence, so this was the first time hearing some of the deep cuts. The solos rip, but the album becomes a bit of a slog, especially the back half. Not as bad as I feared, not as good as I hoped.

"Runnin' With the Devil" is one of my all-time favorite books about the circus life of rock superstardom. My favorite story was Eddie Van Halen sweating about a paternity test from some groupie ahead of his wedding to Valerie Bertinelli: He didn't realize it was impossible for someone to get pregnant who'd only given him a blowjob. Man, Ed was a goddamn guitar prodigy, but he obviously didn't pay attention in middle school sex ed.

Van Halen's eponymous debut album is everything a debut should be. Inventive (for the time), audacious, and perfectly executed. The first side of the original vinyl album only qualifies this for classic with Runnin' with the Devil, Ain't Talkin 'Bout Love, and their fiery highly charged version of The Kinks' You Really Got Me. That does mean that side two was lame with it including one of their biggest hits Jamie's Cryin'. This album introduced the world to Diamond Dave and especially, guitarist supreme Eddie Van Halen. The world never looked back and never forgot. The band got even better with their subsequent releases, all full of chart topping hits.

I’m pretty sure Jamie’s Cryin’ because David Lee Roth told her she was “semi-good lookin’” in “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”.

It's alright, I'm just not a huge fan. I tend to like rock, but little stood out to me here. The later part I enjoyed a lot more with Feel Your Love & Ice Cream Man. I really enjoyed Ice Cream Man; it started out sounding almost like a country song, before transitioning into something closer to Elvis's Rock'n'roll. Also lol at Eruption being a 1:42 guitar solo, and that's the whole song. Took me longer to catch on than I realized Favs: Ice Cream Man, Feel Your Love Tonight

I think someone here said that listening to AC/DC is like eating a bar of chocolate. It's the same through the way, but it's chocolate so it's very enjoyable. I have the same thoughts about this album. Although this chocolate is "only" good and you know there are better chocolates on the shelf nearby. 3.5/5.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. More soulful than I expected, some definite hits on there. Would listen to again.

3.5

Love the lead guitar on this album, but I have to be in the right mood to listen to it.

Great classic rock album

Not a fan of Van Halen, though I get the impact this album had.

bangers everywhere

Done

Just - WOW!

High energy guitar driven rock, it's pretty fun and up my alley. But gets a bit samey as you listen through the album. None of the songs are particular standouts for me

I've heard most of these songs before, and this was better than expected. I've never been a huge Van Halen fan but after listening to this album, I'd definitely call it a 4 out of 5.

As debut albums go, it's hard to top this one. While EVH didn't invent tapping, he certainly popularized it. For fans of virtuosic lead guitar, this album set a new standard and influenced just about every rock guitarist to come after. The vocal harmonies should not be overlooked, either. They are tight as hell, even as they are sometimes ridiculous (e.g., doo wop break in I'm the One). DLR may not be the best rock _singer_, but he was a hell of a front man, and his vocals fit the material perfectly. The rhythm section is tight. MA's bass playing isn't very busy, but it absolutely doesn't need to be. And he's locked in with AVH's drum playing, which is also really creative but in a way that serves the songs. EVH's rhythm playing is probably my favorite aspect of his playing. This is a near-perfect album. 5 stars

Scale of 1-5 is too hard

like one classic on here but not really for me - very samey

Great guitarist, obviously. But quite middle-of-the-road as a rock album. It might just be dated now, but I didn't find anything particularly special about it. Would probably listen again if I was in the mood

🤘

I had this down as the sound of 80s rock so I’m a little surprised to see it’s a 70s album. You can feel and hear the talent but it’s just not for me. 4/10

I would give it zero stars if that were an option.

This album has it all: the brown sound, Eruption, Runnin' with the Devil was my go to Guitar Hero song as a kid, Ain't Talkin' Bout Love is one of my favorite classic rock songs as an adult. I got to see Eddie Van Halen's Frankenstrat in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Definitely cooler than Captain America's shield or Dorothy's red shoes for me.

It was fun to listen to that all the way through, I honestly don't recall hearing it from end end since the early 80s.

Basta rock basta basta basta che due palle. Alla fine non ho nessuna critica sennonché il rock dell’epoca è tutto uguale. Non c’è nulla che sia eccitante, nemmeno sto “incredibile” assolo di chitarra

bello, bellissimo. ma è il solito album rock/metal anni 70/80, e per quanto riconosca i Van Halen e la loro importanza, purtroppo non mi ha appassionato così tanto.

Great Rorschach test of a record: if you hate it, there's something wrong with you. Hopefully it's a temporary condition. I'm not much of a "cock rock" fan but this is a great record that transcends genre. It also lays out the blueprint VH would perfect with albums like Diver Down and 1984. They perfected it, but not necessarily improved it, if I may say that. By "blueprint" I mean that this album truly hits all the key points you want from a most satisfying VH record (in no order): Skull-crushing guitar solo (Eruption) Diamond Dave (Ice Cream Man) Pensive Dave (Little Dreamer) Mean Mistreater (Jamie's Cryin') Mister Mischief (Runnin' With The Devil) Kinks Kover (You Really Got Me) Hot for ___ (I'm The One) They throw off a really unusual mix of talents and vibes but that's what made them better than KISS and everyone else on the scene before and after. Maybe AC/DC is the only other cock rock band in the same league. What makes this particular album stand out from the rest of their work is that it sounds like they are playing live in the studio with maybe only some vocal overdubs. There are maybe two songs I don't like that much but otherwise this is lights out.

A nice treat--this is one of my favorite Van Halen albums, and even though I know they're not to everyone's taste I always feel like this album is worth a listen (and not just for the greatest solo track of all time, although "Eruption" *is* a masterpiece). It's tough to pick out favorites from this mighty album, so I'll just note that my least favorite tracks are probably "Atomic punk" (it always makes me think of a couple of Police tracks on their earlier albums where they try to show their punk-like roots, and fail) and "Little dreamer", although "Ice cream man" probably should be there, but it seems like such a quintessential David Lee Roth (cover) song it's hard not to smile (and think of brown M&Ms). And I have to say their cover of the Kinks' "You really got me" is inspired genius. I think what I love about this album, and the band, at least in the David Lee Roth era, is that they did one thing, they didn't pretend to be more complex than they were, and they did it with style and confidence, and they were entertainers par excellence.

Was hoping I'd like this more than I did. Their aesthetic just doesn't work for me. "Jamie's Cryin" and "Little Dreamer" were the only songs that made me listen a bit longer.

Not one member of the band showed up with a faulty performance in the studio that day.

Excellent excellent album. Some classics here. Only reason I didn't give it a 5 is because it's been so played out at this point

A classic.

Didn't manage to listen properly but what I did hear I enjoyed

Favourite tracks: ain't talking bout love; running with the devil; eruption; you really got me; Jamie's crying

The hair band era wasn’t as bad as they said. This was an album that could be easily released in the 2000’s and would be a hit. I enjoyed it

Incredible album. No skips, no misses. Such a strong debut.

Nothing but heaters

Wish I could give it more than 5 stars

yea, i mean this is obviously awesome. not a hit parade by any means, nor is it important enough in my opinion to warrant 5 stars. a strong example of its genre, but certainly not gods gift to music

Another debut album, another contender for best first song off a debut album for Runnin' with the Devil. I like guitar solos, but Eruption has never been one of my favorites. I like them in the context of a song, not as the song. You Really Got Me is a great cover. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love is another Van Halen staple. I don't know if a band started a first album with more consecutive staples than Van Halen does here. This is a fun album. Jamie's Cryin' AKA the song that would become the sample from Tone Loc's Wild Thing. Six straight songs that probably make any Van Halen's greatest hits album....that's quite a start. First came KISS, then came Van Halen. Brothers maybe more than anything, but definitely related. That's a quick album. Good stuff.

this shit kinda sucks.

I’ve been a fan of Van Halen for a while but I need to say that this album takes a while to get going. Hot take, but I think Running With the devil is a weak opener, and Eruption is a disjointed mess of EVH showing what he can do with the guitar. I can take or leave the cover of You Really Got Me, but the album really starts with Ain’t Talkin Bout Love, and never slows down from there

a classic, not my favorite from them but they had to start somewhere 7/10

good songs vh at their beat diamond dave is on it good lenghth not too much filler

This album is fun and a bit goofy. You can see how it influenced hair metal. Technically it's great and I love the guitar tone. I just feel it lacks a bit so isn't 5 star worthy.

Great guitar sounds and a good cover of You Really Got Me, but really this is just pompous nonsense.

ERUPTIONNN!

Had a good time with this one. High 2, good switch up from what I’ve had the past few days. Always loved Van Halen but obviously imo not his greatest work. Still a respectable record.

A humdinger of an album! Bravo!

Van Halen’s debut is a hard rockin showcase to a new era of guitar playing. Great album

Amazing album. I had forgotten just how many great songs were on this record.

Such a good rockin’ album

yeah its pretty good

I enjoyed it much more than i expected to

Running with the Devil, Little Dreamer and Ice Cream Man are pretty definitive sounds of what Van Halen pioneered for the rock sound of the late 70’s early 80’s. Fun listen, probably won’t relisten often, given it’s not much of an album. 3/5!

Ascoltato il 5-SET-2024, buon album, non incontra il mio gusto al 100%.

Sounds dated

This rocks!

It's basically start to finish bangers

Perhaps the true beginning of hair metal. Perhaps not. Has a kind of gloss to it that never seemed as true as the energy of punk rock. But it has its moments and no denying that Eddie Van Halen can play.

I now understand why the 80’s were like that. Everyone was trying to copy Van Halen

at times mundane, at times brilliant

Pretty fire tbh. Listening going down I-4 which was a good choice.

The best songs are really good but side two is weak in my opinion so 3 stars or C+ is my rating.

Another huge album by Van Halen! Some great songs here but still some new to me. Great energy, wicked guitars, all in all a fun listen with no bad songs. 4.5/5 but gotta round up due to so many hit songs

Not my vibe. They’re talented but I’m not really into the 80s rock scene

rock

This album fuckin' rips. Like holy shit it's easy to see why this was such a big deal, even aside from the guitar playing. The songs have the energy of the early punk records but the production value of the big rock bands. I'm not saying I remember every song on the record or that I'd go back to the individual tunes necessarily but, as an album, it's all killer no filler top to bottom.

I like the sound of the guitar, but overall this isn't doing much for me.

Some of the best guitar shredding I've ever heard. Their later songs may be cheesy and dated (specifically Jump) but this album still sounds amazing even now. Didn't think I was going to like it, but ended up loving it. Only issue is the album definitely peaked with its first half

Another one from the meant for entertainment self- indulgent machismo rock list. Nonetheless, the musical content is surprisingly cool, performance and execution are convincing. The rating is more about it's cultural context and "meaning.

Yassssssssss and yasssssssssss and yasssssssssss that is all

As debut albums go, there can't be many this accomplished. Really ahead of it's time, being a precursor to the glam/hair metal of the 80s yet still sounding fresh and fun. Could listen to this album every day and not get bored with it.

I should like van halen - a talented front man, some amazing guitar work but it just feels like the single influence on 80’s hair metal and the US bands that made the genre a joke. Some decent songs but not enough for me to listen again.

Hmmm... I remember Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love sounding cooler than I just heard. Anyway, overall it's fun and energetic. I'd put it on again.

I do love this album the only other album that is nearly as good is Fair Warning. Every song has a rushed overblown energy that works because they are trying to prove themselves.

Talk about getting hard and taking a ride, this album just like 1984 rips and keeps on rippin

Van Halen is so fucking cool. I recommend listening to the Running With the Devil vocals isolated, it’s hilarious. That in mind this album rules. It doesn’t feel like 1978. The worst track imo is Jamie’s Crying and that’s I think due to over saturation more than anything. I kinda loved this album. I’m the One should have been a single it’s terrific.

### **Van Halen - *Van Halen* (1978): An In-Depth Review** #### **Introduction** Van Halen's self-titled debut album, released on February 10, 1978, marked a seismic shift in the rock landscape. Featuring the virtuosic guitar work of Eddie Van Halen, the charismatic vocals of David Lee Roth, the solid bass lines of Michael Anthony, and the powerful drumming of Alex Van Halen, the album redefined hard rock and set the stage for the band's enduring legacy. This review delves into the lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence of *Van Halen*, highlighting the album's strengths and weaknesses. #### **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Van Halen* are a mix of youthful exuberance, bravado, and rock 'n' roll rebellion. David Lee Roth, known for his flamboyant persona and sharp wit, delivers lyrics that are both playful and provocative. The album's lyrical themes often revolve around love, lust, and the rockstar lifestyle, reflecting the band's hedonistic ethos. **Songs like "Runnin' with the Devil"** explore themes of freedom and rebellion, with Roth's lyrics capturing the essence of the band's carefree attitude. The line "I live my life like there's no tomorrow" embodies the spirit of the album, emphasizing a live-for-the-moment philosophy. **On "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love,"** the lyrics take a darker turn, with Roth singing about the emptiness of a superficial relationship. Lines like "You know you're semi-good looking" and "I been to the edge, and there I stood and looked down" showcase Roth's ability to mix humor with a sense of danger. However, the lyrics are not without their shortcomings. Some tracks, like **"Feel Your Love Tonight,"** feature more generic and simplistic lyrics, which, while effective in capturing the spirit of the times, may not stand up to more sophisticated lyrical scrutiny. Roth's lyrics, while charismatic and fitting for the band's image, can occasionally feel lightweight, prioritizing style over substance. #### **Music** The musical aspect of *Van Halen* is where the album truly shines. Eddie Van Halen's guitar work is nothing short of revolutionary, introducing techniques that would become staples in rock music. His use of two-handed tapping, harmonics, and whammy bar dives created a new sonic vocabulary for guitarists. The album's music blends hard rock, blues, and pop sensibilities, resulting in a sound that is both aggressive and accessible. **"Eruption,"** the album's second track, is a showcase of Eddie's technical prowess. The instrumental piece, lasting just under two minutes, redefined what was possible on the electric guitar. Its cascading taps, rapid-fire hammer-ons, and lightning-fast runs made it an instant classic and a rite of passage for aspiring guitarists. **"Runnin' with the Devil"** opens the album with a heavy, descending bassline that sets the tone for the record. Eddie's guitar riff, simple yet powerful, complements Roth's vocal delivery perfectly. The song's structure is straightforward but effective, with a memorable chorus and a driving rhythm section. **"Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"** features a staccato guitar riff that became one of Eddie's most iconic contributions to rock music. The song's aggressive tone is matched by Roth's vocal delivery, making it one of the standout tracks on the album. The use of a flanger effect on the guitar adds a layer of texture, showcasing Eddie's innovative approach to tone and sound. The album also includes a cover of The Kinks' **"You Really Got Me,"** which Van Halen transforms into a hard rock anthem. Eddie's reinterpretation of the song's iconic riff, combined with Alex's thunderous drumming and Roth's swaggering vocals, gives the track a new lease on life. The cover respects the original while injecting it with a fresh energy that only Van Halen could provide. However, not every track on the album is a masterpiece. **"Ice Cream Man,"** a cover of a blues tune by John Brim, feels somewhat out of place amidst the more hard-hitting rock tracks. While the song allows Roth to showcase his bluesy vocal chops and humor, it disrupts the album's flow. Similarly, **"Little Dreamer"** and **"Atomic Punk"** are solid tracks but don't quite reach the heights of the album's standout moments, feeling somewhat filler-like in comparison. #### **Production** Produced by Ted Templeman, *Van Halen* boasts a crisp, clean production that captures the energy and rawness of the band's sound. Templeman, who had previously worked with artists like The Doobie Brothers, brought a polished yet organic approach to the album's production. The balance between the instruments is meticulously crafted, allowing each band member's contributions to shine. Eddie's guitar tone, dubbed the "Brown Sound," is one of the most significant achievements of the album's production. The tone is warm, rich, and overdriven, with a clarity that allows the intricacies of Eddie's playing to be heard in full detail. The use of minimal effects, primarily a phase shifter and reverb, keeps the focus on Eddie's technique rather than studio trickery. Alex Van Halen's drumming is also given a prominent place in the mix, with his snare and bass drums sounding particularly punchy. The production captures the power of Alex's playing, which is characterized by his heavy use of cymbals and toms. Michael Anthony's bass, while often following the guitar, is mixed to provide a solid foundation, and his backing vocals add a layer of harmony that complements Roth's lead vocals. Roth's vocals are mixed with just the right amount of reverb, giving them a larger-than-life quality without drowning them in effects. Templeman wisely avoids overproducing Roth's voice, allowing his natural charisma and personality to come through. One of the few criticisms of the album's production is its relative lack of low-end compared to modern rock albums. While this was partly a product of the era's recording technology, some listeners might find the bass frequencies a bit lacking, especially when compared to the thunderous lows of later hard rock and metal recordings. #### **Themes** Thematically, *Van Halen* is a celebration of rock 'n' roll excess and youthful rebellion. The album captures the hedonistic spirit of the late 1970s, a time when rock music was both a form of escapism and a means of self-expression. The themes of freedom, lust, and living on the edge are prevalent throughout the album, making it anthemic for a generation seeking to break free from societal norms. **"Runnin' with the Devil"** embodies the theme of reckless abandon, with its lyrics suggesting a life lived without fear of consequences. The song can be interpreted as a reflection of the band's own experiences, embracing the rockstar lifestyle with all its dangers and thrills. **"Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love,"** on the other hand, delves into the darker side of relationships, with its lyrics suggesting a cynical view of love as a fleeting, superficial experience. This theme of disillusionment contrasts with the more celebratory tone of other tracks, adding depth to the album's overall narrative. **"Feel Your Love Tonight"** and **"Jamie's Cryin'"** explore themes of love and desire, but with a tongue-in-cheek approach that keeps the mood light and playful. Roth's delivery, combined with the band's energetic performance, ensures that these songs are more about fun than introspection. The inclusion of covers like **"You Really Got Me"** and **"Ice Cream Man"** speaks to the band's influences and their desire to pay homage to the music that inspired them. These tracks, while not thematically complex, fit within the album's overall theme of rock 'n' roll as both a genre and a lifestyle. While the album's themes are not particularly deep or philosophical, they are perfectly suited to the band's image and the musical landscape of the time. *Van Halen* is not an album that seeks to challenge listeners intellectually; instead, it offers an escape into a world of loud guitars, fast cars, and endless parties. #### **Influence** The influence of *Van Halen* cannot be overstated. The album redefined the possibilities of rock guitar and inspired countless musicians to pick up the instrument. Eddie Van Halen's innovative techniques, particularly his use of tapping, became a blueprint for guitarists in the 1980s and beyond. The album's success helped pave the way for the rise of glam metal and hair bands, with its blend of hard rock and pop sensibilities becoming a template for many bands that followed. The impact of *Van Halen* extended beyond just the guitar world. The album's production techniques, particularly the emphasis on clarity and separation of instruments, influenced the way rock records were produced in the years that followed. Ted Templeman's approach to capturing the energy of a live band in the studio became a model for other producers working in the genre. The band's image, with David Lee Roth's flamboyant stage presence and Eddie's guitar wizardry, also played a significant role in shaping the visual aspect of rock music in the 1980s. Van Halen's success demonstrated the importance of not just musical talent, but also showmanship and personality in achieving rock stardom. However, the album's influence was not entirely positive. The success of *Van Halen* and the subsequent rise of glam metal led to an oversaturation of the genre in the 1980s, with many bands imitating the style without the same level of talent or innovation. This eventually led to a backlash against the genre, culminating in the rise of grunge and alternative rock in the early 1990s. #### **Pros and Cons** **Pros:** 1. **Re volutionary Guitar Work:** Eddie Van Halen's innovative techniques redefined rock guitar and influenced generations of musicians. 2. **Energetic Performance:** The album captures the raw energy and charisma of the band, making it a thrilling listen from start to finish. 3. **Crisp Production:** Ted Templeman's production is clean and well-balanced, allowing each band member's contributions to shine. 4. **Memorable Tracks:** Songs like "Runnin' with the Devil," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," and "Eruption" are timeless classics that have become staples of rock radio. 5. **Cohesive Sound:** The album successfully blends hard rock, blues, and pop elements, creating a sound that is both aggressive and accessible. **Cons:** 1. **Lyrical Simplicity:** Some of the lyrics are simplistic and lack depth, prioritizing style over substance. 2. **Inconsistent Tracks:** While the album features many standout moments, tracks like "Ice Cream Man" and "Little Dreamer" feel less essential and disrupt the album's flow. 3. **Limited Low-End:** The production, while crisp, lacks the low-end punch that would become more common in later rock albums. 4. **Overemphasis on Guitar:** While Eddie Van Halen's guitar work is undeniably impressive, it sometimes overshadows the contributions of the other band members. #### **Conclusion** *Van Halen* is a landmark album that changed the course of rock music. Its blend of virtuosic guitar work, energetic performances, and charismatic vocals made it an instant classic, and its influence continues to be felt in the rock genre today. While the album is not without its flaws, particularly in its lyrical content and occasional inconsistency, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. *Van Halen* remains a testament to the power of rock 'n' roll and the enduring appeal of one of the greatest bands in rock history.

Classic, short, a little repetitive but definitely an album with perspective

Classic rock.

Absolute classic all song

Classic.

Great shredding, but the muted screaming vocals found in a lot of 70's rock has never been for me.

Very cool, most songs are on the greatest hits, cd, goes to show you how good it is. Top 20 album all time

Tyckte inte om albumet så mycket. Inte jobbigt men inte heller njutbart att lyssna till gitarrsolona. Kände bara igen ”You Really Got Me”. Tyckte om energin i vissa av låtarna. Ett flertal upprepningar av samma text vilket inte är så kul. 3/5.

Perfect debut album by a close to perfect original band. The songs, the personalities, the music and the guitar…Boom!

There's nothing wrong with this album, but this type of music just does not appeal to me. The singing is grating and the music sounds the same song after song. I don't blame people who get hyped by this, but I just don't get it.

Honestly better than I was expecting. The guitar solo on Eruption is CRAZY. This kind of rock isn’t usually my vibe but it’s solid.

Ok

not for me

So much energy woth so many classics.

Hell yes.

Less is more is obviously not a philosophy that Eddie Van Halen subscribes to. Kinks version of Really Got Me is far superior.

An amazing debut album that firmly planted Van Halen on the Rock map. 5 out of the first 6 tracks are rock classics (including one heavy cover of The Kinks "You Really Got Me". It is the B side of this album that descends from greatness into merely being good. An easy 4 for quality, innovating, and standing the test of time. It's not their best album as that would be a toss up between 1984, 5150, OU812, or FOR UNLAWFUL CARNAGE. Not only did this album sell well, but I remember a bunch of those sales coming from guitarists who bought the album just listen to "Eruption" over and over in an effort to figure out Eddie Van Halen's fretboard tapping style.

An excellent debut from a rad band that everyone knows. In my opinion it starts out way better than it ends (Runnin With The Devil -> Eruption -> You Really Got Me is one hell of a start), but it’s still a fun album all the way through. Eruption is arguably the most important guitar instrumental ever in terms of what it did for the election guitar, and the You Really Got Me cover is somehow better than the Kinks original. So much swagger, great tunes, and insane guitar playing in one record.

Pretty decent rock record. Really starts off strong the first half and slowly tapers as a lot of these kind of rock records can for me. Definitely crazy this was a late 70's record as I really associate this band with the 80's. The guitar playing was definitely ahead of it's time to usher in that hair metal sound. Great playing obviously from eddie but from the whole group. Some bits of Queen inspiration with the harmonies, great technical playing. David Lee Roth is an unforgettable frontman as well vocally.

These glam metal albums aren't really the type of thing I'm into but I can appreciate and enjoy them, which I did this one. I probably won't ever listen to it again, but I liked the whole thing.

This album just goes from the jump and doesn’t really have any filler songs. Classic 💎 Dave.

Definitely their best album.

It's hard for me to not think of this as the cheesy rock playing on the jukebox during my mom's bowling league in the 80s, but it's a solid, fun album.

I really enjoyed this one. Great album length with multiple quality tracks. I can pretty much listen to the whole album and enjoy every song. Its hard to believe this was their first album. Feels very polished. The guitar solo in eruption is a classic. Great piece of work. The cover of the kinks was very well done.

Vastly more enjoyable than expected! :)

I mean obviously Van Halen hits and this album has so many BANGERS. Have to give it a 4 even though I would never just like throw it on ya know

El sonido de este primer disco de Van Halen, lanzado en 1978, iba a marcar la línea que seguiría el rock & roll en la siguiente década y parte de los 90. Sin artificios, en él destaca la forma de atacar la guitarra de Eddie Van Halen. Son 11 temas enérgicos diseñados para levantar al público, de ahí la inclusión de una versión sobresaliente del "You Really Got Me" de los Kinks. El disco abre con "Runnin' with the Devil" y un riff de guitarra fantástico en el que Van Halen describe la emoción por vivir al límite la vida sin pensar en las consecuencias ("corriendo con el diablo"). También me gusta la visión amarga del amor contenida en "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love", el ritmo desenfrenado de "I'm the One" o todo un himno rockero, "Jamie's Cryin'", sobre la angustia emocional del protagonista abatido por le desamor y el rechazo. Mención aparte en mi opinión merece la empoderante "Atomic Punk", un temazo que nos habla de libertad y rebeldía.

Great rock and roll album. Really enjoyed it.

Of course, for purists, this probably isn't rock, it isn't heavy enough, it's too commercial. Well, tough, music should be joyous and there aren't many better examples of where the truck labelled "rock" (quote marks intentional) crashed through the door marked "pop" with some absolute bangers. Yes, hair metal drove their clown car through shortly afterwards, but this is a fine fine album.

Not for me - kind of OK.

it’s Van Halen

What a fucking debut. Sometimes they're stars from the get go. Everybody's locked in, but David Lee Roth and Eddie were something else. No snoozers, just hits and other songs.

surprisingly liked this. didn’t love it. but i was very pleasantly surprised.

Very cool

Never really been into Van Halen and I don’t know why because it seems right up my street. I can see why Eruption is considered one of the greatest guitar solos of all time, though I personally prefer solos with more melody than speed/technical difficulty. Ice Cream Man and Little Dreamer were my favourites, but enjoyed every song on the album.

It was alright I suppose, a two would be harsh. Does feel like other bands (Led Zep etc) do this kind of thing much better though. Simpsons: Yes

Good stuff, especially Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love and Eruption.

was ok. I liked the album's first half, especially the cover of You Really Got Me. The second half let it down slightly

Van Halen is talented but it feels like he’s constantly at 10 the entire time and the lack of dynamic changes makes me feel it’s unearned almost? Really loved Ice Cream Man, but for 5 seconds of guitar solo at 1:47 it would have been a perfect song

Really Good album.

I'll just admit that Ice Cream Man is my favorite Van Halen song. Don't judge me.

Why is Van Halen's half of the albums not available in my country apparently on Spotify. This one is half available, but if I search the songs individually they are on other ones, maybe live versions and stuff, sadly I'm gonna have to do that, I mean it's the same song. Tbh this is the first time I've heard of them, I love metal and rock and this better not be full of some basic ass sounds of them. I don't really have high expectations, but I think it's gonna be a good experience, just maybe not for me. The songs that are not available were played in 1977 Pasadena live, I hope there's not much difference. First song, eerie start, and I love it. Oooh this is the most listened song, so it's relatively the best on the album, but that doesn't mean anything to me tbh. His voice is different, but also a basic rock voice. Chorus isn't that catchy, tho verses have good delivery. Screaming is sometimes heard. Chorus is getting better as a second listen. The instrumental break is insanely good. The before-verse-starts guitar is also amazing. Great start for an album I suppose. Second song, this has no lyrics. OOOOO THAT ELECTRIC GUITAR IS GUITARING. One in a lifetime solo I guesss. I'm transcending how is he doing that so well. Loved this one tho I need more of it. Third song, it starts with the chorus and does that before the verse, loved that touch. The verse was catchy, but chorus is superior. What were these alien sounds after the second chorus, because they're addicting. I'm getting familiar with his voice and it's less basic now. The outro is too good. 4th song, nostalgic vibe already. Verse is more like a build-up to the chorus, which is as good as bad, the chorus itself has a good delivery. The break is kind of not impressive. THE BRIDGE IS THE BEST PART, ESPECIALLY THE LYRICS THEY CATCHY AF. Outro is soooo good too, the Hey hey hey-s basically sum up the whole good vibe in the song. It went on for a while and quickly stopped. 5th song, he's talking because it's a live. After one minute it's finally starting. He wants the people to dance basically, if they also want it to. The recording is kinda bad because it's not loud enough if you know what I mean. The song itself must have been better on the album, 'cause this way it sounds bad and uninteresting. The electric guitar is carrying. I so wanna skip this, and sadly there's no other version of this as I remember. There's rainy sounds now. They're babadoobing now, dunno why. Outro was quite good I must say. 6th song, finally this one's available. Chorus is fun to sing along to. Verse has goood lyrical delivery. His voice is becoming more and more satisfying. The break is kinda basic. Forgot to say sometimes the lyrics are sang together, for example the chorus here, it sounds different, more united voice. Outro is the same as the break, but it's fading away now. 7th song, this and every other song is not available so time to feel like I'm in Pasadena. Without the lyrics it's hard to say what he is singing about, and without that it just sounds like a regular rock/metal song. I'm hearing Korn rn, with those sounds, yk the sounds he makes was now made, but with some instrument, cool af. I'm still not feeling this song tho. The outro is so good, it's a build-up for something, nevermind the song ended, but it did sound good. 8th song, he's talking to the audience now. Idk what to write, the song is chaotic in a bad way. The chorus is not as good as it should be. At some parts the song is really good, but not as a overall vibe. Doing a-capella now, guitar slowly increased its volume then stopped and after audience screaming he talked and stopped the song. 9th song, this one sounds good already with the lyrics. It didn't go on as good as it should've. Chorus is forgettable and not a sing along. He sang the song tittle without the instruments and he sounded kinda bad honestly. Overall I didn't enjoy this one either. 10th song, forgot to write, but this would have been better if it was heard on an album because the delivery of the ice cream man is catchy. This one was less metal at the start also, then it got hard. That guitar did the job weeeell. Chorus is the best part and it made me add the song. 11th song, he must have energy on the scene, I do wanna see him too, but I'm lazy. The song is not that good, it's missing something. I don't hear a good chorus. There are good woman's vocals tho. It was energetic and fun to listen to it, but I really think the album version would be just simply superior. Depending on these last songs, the album should get a rating of 3 stars, but it's my first time hearing them and I really liked them too. Their style isn't obscure, but they had something, more albums from them would make me sure in this idea. So basically 4 stars is the perfect choice, the first 5 songs were too good to ignore, and just because live versions were bad doesn't mean they are actually unlistenable. Thus it wasn't as basic as I expected it to be, it wasn't really metal for me either, more rock than metal I suppose. All and all I'll have them in my daily rotation most likely.

Es gibt besseres

Bueno, pero si no me lo sugieren jamás lo oigo.

Favourite Song: Little Dreamer

Van Halen's self-titled debut album is a high-octane showcase of rock prowess, clearly highlighting the band's exceptional talent. With Eddie Van Halen's groundbreaking guitar work at the forefront, the album presents a series of tight, well-executed tracks that capture the essence of late 1970s rock. The chemistry between the band members is palpable, creating a sound that is both energetic and polished. While the album has its moments of brilliance, such as the iconic riffs in Eruption and the infectious energy of "You Really Got Me," it remains very much a product of its time. Some tracks are undeniably impressive and demonstrate sparks of genius, particularly in Eddie's innovative guitar solos. However, not every song reaches these heights; the rest of the album is solid but falls into the category of competent, if somewhat conventional, rock. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 3 STAND OUT TRACK - Ice Cream Man

This was actually much more fun and skillfully made than I was expecting - and aside from “Ice Cream Man,” never really annoying. Fairly or not, though, I’m finding it hard to justify more than a 3.

Brought back the 80’s for sure!

legebdaarinen, influentiaalinen ja nykypäivänäkin suosittu albumi... lisätäänmpähän kolmen pekkaan neljäs adjektiivi: yliarvostettu. ehkä aikanaan uudenlainen ja raikas otos, joka nykyään kuulostaa lähes tavanomaiselta ja tylsältä. ainoa asia, joka tekee albumista yli monen muiden on tosiaan eddie van halenin kitarantyöskentely, joka on kieltåmättä todella vakuuttavaa. muuten biisit ovat täyttä poppimönjää joka kuuluu vain radio rokin automaattisesti soiville playlistoille koska ei ole varaa maksaa ihmisille kuratoida niitä im the one

Classic metal.

Head banger

More butt rock. I suppose Van Halen gets credit for being so influential but I just don't understand.

Add one to the list!

Iconic

It's so good! It's like a greatest hits album! Very strong 3.

This album changed everything. Nobody played guitar like Eddie Van Halen at the time, and all the kids worked like fiends to learn his licks.

Great album, I loved the first half of it especially. Eddie's guitar is definitely the star of the show.

Rock, 1978 -> 4

I can see why it’s great, I just personally didn’t enjoy it too much

Too much 80s cock rock on this list. This is better than some of the others though

For a debut album? Yes.

its not even awful but theres just something about this i find appalling

gold standard of pop rock // warmest guitar tone of all time...i fucking love Brown Sound and the melodies and swing across Van Halen's debut are incredible, only caveat is it falls off a bit in the last third but forever One of the Good Ones of Dad Rock 8/10

Very good album actually. Sick ass guitar playing (RIP ✌️) and kick-ass music. Great listen and great album.

love

don't like the singing, this album got me into guitars, specifically Eruption big surprise. Memorable songs that I don't ever choose to listen to

Great rock album with lots of iconic songs and guitar riffs.

I don’t listen to a lot of 70s and 80s hair metal, but if I do chances, are it’s Van Halen. This album is excellent. And I’m always mystified at how we could get from Chuck Berry to Eddie Van Halen in less than 20 years. Superb. I will always listen.

Good album, would even be better without the song about sweet talking a women into having sex with him.

I have this album on vinyl and I've listened to it many times. So good. Easily one of the best debut albums of all time and one of my favorite albums ever. Every track is perfect and has so much awesome feel and VH flavor. Five stars easily.

Van Halen continues to be my favorite of the late-70s/early 80s rock bands, and this album is no exception.

Best version of Van Halen

Listened 7/12/24. Already knew most of this record, but still slaps nearly half a century later.

I thought following up Living Colour with this would feel like a relief, but honestly this is just annoyingly squandered talent. The guitar licks are just obnoxiously show-offy instead of interesting and the vocals are technically good, but I couldn't care less about what he's singing about, except that some of it is creepy and groomy/pedophilic. Guess what? I didn't need to listen to this before I died.

One of the best

weak second half

I loved when Ritchie from “The Bear” misquoted David Lee Roth, saying: “I’m not like this cause I’m in Van Halen, I’m in Van Halen cause I’m like this.” It’s a great quote, it was a great quote for that character and it’s such a rock star thing to say. That led me to read several websites compiling memorable quotes from David Lee Roth, which was well worth the time and effort. Two of my favorites were, “When you can spell subpoena without thinking about it, that’s when you know you’ve made it.” and “I'm a family man. I personally started 3 or 4 families last year.” Another one of his quotes was “The reason more rock critics like Elvis Costello than us is that more rock critics look like Elvis Costello than us.” Well, Mr. Lee Roth, your wisdom continues to impress, because I look a lot more like Elvis Costello than you, and I do not like your band. I get it; I can appreciate the shtick, but it’s not for me. Probably because I’m not twelve years old and it’s not 1983. I’m glad Van Halen was a thing for a while. I like the mythos of rock and roll excess and big hair and leather pants and shredding on guitar and … bandanas?, but it’s not for me.

Nostalgisk guitar hero musik

Least favorite song - Im the One Favorite song - Jamies Cryin

How do you not open this album with Eruption>You Really Got Me? I'll never understand it. Still, another great debut. 5

This album fucking rocks!

Sure !

Yeah yeah, I get it. You’re van halen. 🤘

Great album! Rolled my eyes when I saw it bc I thought it was going to be heavier for some reason. But just good vibes really enjoyed it!

quintessential dad rock!

I just don’t like this kinda music. I tried to listen with an open ear but there’s just something about this style of music that I cannot warm up to. The guitar playing was amazing, as were the vocals. I liked the cover of You Really Got Me by the Kink's, and wished really wished I liked this energetic classic rock album as everyone else does!

I think I’m going 4 (like a 3.5) on this because while it didn’t totally blow me away, the vibes were right for today and I thought the first two songs were excellent, which makes me think this has some staying power and I’ll be revisiting it!! Some real impressive guitar on here, to no one’s surprise!

Fun, quick and energetic! Now this is easy listening

Van Halen is super fun and I am especially partial to this early era of theirs... never been my fav band but its fun... kinda perfect watching hockey in the garage music

Pure hard rock

Very enjoyable, but another that didn't blow me away. Favourite track: Ain't Talking 'Bout Love.

Can't deny the guitar. I'm sure the sounds were crazy back then. Not my thing.

Probably loud and out there on release but to me a bit boring. Jamie’s Cryin and I’m the one were the highlights. 5/10

"Eruption" - holy shit

VH has never been my taste exactly, but it's hard to argue with the talent and impact they've had. There's excellent technical musicianship throughout, but the songs don't have much emotion or depth. Just great party music. That, and the signature squeal-yell in the vocals gets old.

Classique

Fuckin’ A. An awesome romp of an album. Eddie Van Hale ‘s guitar skills are superhuman.

This is one of the best if not the best heavy metal album of all time in my book. Remember when my older brother used to play the shit out of this record. He would let it play, both sides. The intro to Running with the debil was spooky to me as a lid that sound I had never heard before and the when Michael Nathony drops that bass line is just one of those wow music moments which are just a few in life. After the first song Eddie Van Halen drops the nastiest solo on Record in Eruption and simply just blows your mind as it was 100% sure at the time you had not heard anything like this before. The best debut album ever and including a cover that was just a masterpiece overtaking the originals impact for ever. Having a handsome crazy leadsingers who has to be regarded as one of the best rock frontmans ever, an insanly top notch drummer, one of the best bass players, composers and backing vocalist with the best guitar player ever is a recepie for success. The mix of punk and hard rock with the sound of Eddie’s guitar god sounds and how the killed the live performance made them instant legends and this album started what turned out to be the begining of the careers of one of the best if not the best hard rock band in the USA and probably the history of recorded music.

Some great tracks here (aint talking about love, you really got me) but I was overall pretty meh about this album

Sure - classic 1970s rock can't be wrong. I especially liked "Jamie's Cryin'," which I hadn't heard before.

If the song "Ice Cream Man" didn't exist this album may have gotten another star

If the song "Ice Cream Man" didn't exist this album may have lost a star

Classic stuff. Didn’t realize how much of it I had already heard until listening. EVH was a legend and I’m glad to be able to explore more of his work!

Hoy en día no suena tan espectacular, pero estoy seguro que escuchar eso en 1978 debe haber volado la cabeza de mucha gente y quizás encontrado múltiples resistencias en el mundo de los melómanos. Una joya imperdible.

Gear: Aür Audio Aurora Artwork: 💯🤘😎 Mix (2015 Remaster): 🎧😘🤌 Musik: 💪🔌👨‍🎤 Wertung: 🎸🎸🎸🎸(🎸)/5

Some music stands the test of time, and some serves as a reminder of the cringey tastes you had in high school. Guess which one this falls under? Coulda been worse though, coulda been Def Leppard.

Enjoyable classic, but didn't stand out enough to enter the main rotation

Strong first half to the album, but drops off in the second half

Not my thing but listenable.

Had to focus on the guitar just to gut this one out.

Loved it, super fun and badass guitars!! A classic album with lots of great songs!!

A very enjoyable album 4 ⭐️

Eruption

If I get anything out of this whole experience, it’ll be discovering that Van Halen are actually a great band. Very much enjoyed both albums I’ve had of theirs so far.

Classic Rock. This is the cream. I dont listen rock and roll too often but I can tell that this is the good stuff.

Yes. Hell yes. The stupid ass slide whistle in “Runnin With The Devil” is the greatest circus instrument interpolation of all time. This albums pulls a ton of legendary Eddie playing in to the same lane as some of the greatest 80s (before they even happened!) nonsense ever produced and it manages to make a record far greater than the 7 brain cells it took to write all the songs combined. Every single song is just background noise for a huge riff and a huge solo, and it rules. The guitar is unmatched; just completely raw and unproduced. The rest exists to elevate the playing and it does so exactly adequately. I love it.

Not a huge Van Halen fan but this album has a lot of classic hits.

Some bands are just eternally cursed for being known better for one particular member than for the band as a whole. Van Halen can unfortunately probably be thrown in that category. That’s another reason why this list is valuable. Of all the classic hard rock groups I hear about, Van Halen may be one of the ones I hear about the least. Like I said, I hear about Eddie more than the band itself. Which I think is definitely justifiable. Because not only was he really the face of the band, he sort of became the face of modern 20th century guitar playing for a brief time. And you can’t take that away from him. The dude was amazing, no matter who you say was better or worse. But it’s also important to acknowledge the value the rest of the members brought to the band. It’s always nice to see where bands got started. This band in particular came out swinging for sure. Runnin' With the Devil is such an awesome way to open your album. I was also surprised by the release year. 1978 seems very late in the decade to start, considering how much hard rock had already released by then. But it also means that with how huge this album was, the band basically defined the sound of the early 80s. Everybody wanted to be Van Halen. Of course, this is definitely a little dated and shows its age. But it’s dated in a good way. Like dated in the same way that Def Leppard or Rocks by Aerosmith are. Admittedly, David Lee Roth’s lyricism is pretty surface level and lame. And his singing is nothing special, but he definitely provides energy to the music. All in all, this is a band that maybe isn’t judged for the sum of its parts as much as it should be. Eddie was of course badass, but the rest of the band is cool too, and this debut is solid overall. Rating: 7/10

Pretty awesome rock album

The great Van Halen sound I love.

Surprisingly enjoyed this album. Impressive for their debut, how they developed a distinct sound for themselves. I think the Ice Cream Man would be my favorite track, but I also enjoyed the opener and “Jamie’s Cryin.’”

Blows my head off every time

Stonkin'

I had totally forgotten about the scatting on I'm the One. But yeah, these songs are seminal and still culturally relevant today. It's just sad that they've been relegated to radio rock.

Unfairly gets four stars because there’s so much of this out there to stumble upon that I don’t need to hear the album for the few weak deep cuts. It’s amazing work.

A decent heavy rock record, and a Kinks cover is always a good touch

goofier and more fun than i anticipated. not keen on the kinks cover, however. ⚡🎸👩🏻🎸🔌 highlights: i'm the one. see also: chicago, freaks and geeks (1999).

It sounded like the band had a lot of fun making this music, I'd give it five stars if it was more up my alley, but for this type of rock from that period it's the peak.

rip eddie

is ok

I’m not a big Van Halen fan

I was never a huge Van Halen fan, but I appreciate some of the hits on this release.

Classic, you can’t beat the David Lee Roth era.

under-hated album

No, not for me. Uninspiring rhythms, noodly, self-indulgent guitar and tedious melodies. Neither poppy nor heavy enough. The best song was the Kinks cover.

Runnin' With The Devil Eruption You Really Got Me Jamie's Cryin' Ice Cream Man

2nd straight day of listening to a self titled album. this was much more enjoyable. tight 35 minutes, no bad songs. great debut

Solid RAWK album. It's fun to listen from today and think back to how outrageously new Eddie's guitar work sounded. And I forget how jazzy Dave was right from the first album. Several classic songs on here, although I might like "On Fire" the best,

\m/ \m/

Not really my type of music but it was cool 🤘

9/10.

Straight fire. Still hangs together from beginning to end. No skips. Just an explosion of rock and roll. One of the best hard rock albums ever.

The only vinyl i own (it hangs on my wall). For me this is one of those rare album where i like all songs. so this one i very biased for me

Classic American Rock, Eddie and the band are superb

Cheesy with some catchy riffs.

#26 - impressive command on the guitar but not my jam, they have their own sound and its not one for me!

Eddie is probably my favorite guitarist and this record shows why. It's just a fun rock record. The type no one is making anymore. Love it.

Great album - start to finish. I can't imagine what it must have been like to hear Van Halen for the first time and have that opening guitar riff be the introduction. It's still great.

Listened to this a million times already. Top 1% VH listeners on Spotify with only Roth era albums

Great guitar as expected!! Bassist killing it too. Easy background music and awesome to focus on too.

What in the American dad-rock is this? First track is familiar, obviously, but from there it goes into a masturbatory guitar ejaculation, then into a by-the-numbers cover that commits the sin of not matching the original. From there on we devolve into a macho yelling match that I don't care to listen to. Technically good guitar playing is fine, I guess. It just comes off as a huge cheese fest.

Another impressive debut album on this list. The guitars are absolutely shredding and redefined the sound of rock and roll. The vocals are certainly charismatic. The album is concise and maintains a satisfyingly steady pace without major lulls. There's really nothing bad to say about 'Van Halen'. It's a staple of any hard rock collection. Personally though, I'd have to be in the mood. I really respect their accomplishments here but it's hard not to hear them as a parody of themselves at times. But that's unfair because I recognize that they're great.

A classic first album from Van Halen Top tracks: Runnin’ with the Devil, Eruption, You Really Got Me

Van Halen is dope AF. These guitars absolutely scream and it’s such a delight to listen to. This album as a whole has a bunch of hits, and it’s a short run time that leaves you satisfied.

Wow, that is a great album. Their worst tracks are hits for any other band in that era. Tons of swagger, skills to back it up.

Electrifying

Dude! Yes! Fuck yes. Like just fuck yeah, right fucking on. FUUUUCKKKK!!!! I love Van Halen because this is what they do to me, they give me this high-octane oversexxed hormonal bloodlust for ROCK that cannot be contained. They make me wanna punch a cop, steal his car then fuck his girlfriend in the backseat! These guys are some of the greatest to ever do this thing; they were destined to be rock gods. Diamond Dave is probably the most electrifying frontman to ever grace the stage. Not probably, is. He for sure is. And the Van Halen brothers are both untouchable on guitar and drums - their instruments having fully become extensions of their very souls. They raised the bar in a major way when they smashed onto the scene with this phenomenal debut album. The frigging guitar on Eruption alone makes this god tier. Runnin’ With The Devil is my signature karaoke song and my voice sucks, but I swear to you the spirit of Dave fills me when I sing it and the people eat it up. Anything less than 5 stars for this record is a grievous offence to all of music.

Great Iconic album!!

a classic album that already shows the pipes from the whole band and what they are capable.

It's fine. I understand the appeal and the innovation, but I've never really enjoyed Van Halen, and this time was no different. I think part of it is that I really don't like Dave as a singer. EVH is amazing technically, but it seems kind of lifeless to me. No soul. No emotion. Just really fast playing.

Great album, solid rock. Reading some of the other reviews, man some of you are pretentious assholes.

Clasique

It's rock and it's okay

Shit. Total shit.

Kitaraahan tässä soitetaan jossain kai.

Great guitars. But no emotion and the songs sounds the same.

Can't seem to decide if it wants to be Glam Rock or Hard Rock (Screamy parts and guitar aerobics).

This album changed music. It's that good.