Reviews (page 5 of 15)
One of the greatest albums of the era. And a game changer for guitar players.
Ok der jig ist up ich hab leider kein besonders großes musik hirn und dass van halen mitten im song anfängt zu scatten hat mich mit am meisten von allem bisher abgeholt. Das ist halt alles auf eine weise käsig die mich enorm abholt. Das kinks cover hat mich auch sehr abgeholt und ich sags wie es ist da hatte ich mehr spass mit als eminem oder cypress hill hab mich bisschen in eine ecke geratet aber so ist das halt
Eruption.. ‘nuff said.
Great album. Really enjoyed listening to it
Brilliant good take on the kinks song aswell nice 👌🏻
Greatest debut album of all time. Can you imagine seeing this shit in small a small venue
Feel Your Love Tonight sounds a lot like Social Disease from Bon Jovi. I can hear how this album inspired hair bands.
one of my favorite bands of all time
Still holds up really well. Even the non-classics are super good, and of course the instruments and vocals are top notch. If there's any complaint, I get a little fatigued by DLR's doo-wop stylings but Eddie makes up for all of it and more. I mean, it has Eruption.
Bang, out of the gate comes Van Halen with this cocksure and confident album that changed the sound of hard rock/heavy metal forever. Pyrotechnic, rockin', and above all fun, this album does not take itself too seriously, which is a major blessing compared to most heavy rock bands, who are generally po-faced in the extreme. Eddie's guitar style completely rewrote the book of heavy guitar playing, using the technological innovations of guitar and amplification to reinvent what technique could be. The sound of his guitar was so influential, we really didn't over it until grunge started knocking the edge off mainstream playing over a decade later. Some fo the songs are relatively weaker, especially in the back half of the album, byut a record with Runnin' with the Devil, Eruption, and Ain't Talking about Love (not to mention their cover of You really Got Me) as the first four tracks is always going to seem soft int he home straight. David Lee Roth is not the world's best singer, but his confidence, chutzpah and sense of fun leads the band in its party-hard strut. You just know you're going to have a great time with this band. A dead-set classic.
Classic. Just love the vibe and so many good hard rock/hair metal songs.
Fun to break this out of the closet. Used to be in heavy rotation, but I stopped listening to most VH due to radio overplay. This album really changed rock music when it was released, and I liked hearing it again. Great songs, guitars (of course) and vocals. Easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Knew a lot of Van Halen singles, but never knew this album specifically all the way through. Helluva debut! A lot of the tunes I was less familiar with actually were favorites. The guitar and drumwork on 'I'm the one' in particular was awesome. Noticed more great bass throughout than I expected! I'm not a huge fan of all of Van Halen's stuff and where they ended up in cheesy Stadium rock, but this is huge for the development of metal, and Eddie is an INCREDIBLE guitarist. Album feels fun and definitely worthy of a 5.
Me mama.
Whenever I listen to the album I find myself thinking, are they all in a race to see who can finish the song first? Eddy and Alex always neck on neck, fast, furious and powerful, with David jumping in here and there just to let them know they are not alone, with his unforgettable high pitch. Recorded in 3 weeks mostly as a live set. 5 world hits and the most recognizable instrumental intro...... what a debut for a band.
Loved it! of course
Pretty much every track on this album is strong, no standouts that made me question their presence. Loved the energy in every performance and I feel the remaster does justice to the original by upping the quality.
I feel a little strange reviewing this, as it comes off the back of listening to Led Zeppelin III and the Rolling Stones' Athermath, both of which I gave four stars. Now, the star system is not fit for purpose, and I guess for that reason I have to add a qualifier (I loathe needing to clarify what's cock-obvious). Anyway, I found this superior to the two albums I just mentioned: lean, fierce, dumb in the right way, organic, and above all rocking. But I've given 5 stars to 3 out of eight so far (this, along with The Sonics' Here Are The Sonics and Leonard Cohen's Songs from Leonard Cohen) , so am I diminishing the ratings system, or did I just have a fortunate streak? I supppose the albums in this exercise have the reputations of classics.
Way more complex than the straight up shred fest I was expecting. Still plenty of shred obviously but also some deeper cuts like little dreamer, what a voice (and love the bell smash). The doo wop harmonies into shred in I'm the one is hilariously good as well.
Running With The Devil!!!!! This album is a masterpiece of hair and guitar shredding. Atomic Punk I think is the sleeper hit on this album. deep, moody, shreddy and paints a clear story.
Rock classic!
Top to bottom amazing album. Underrated sleepers are "I'm the One" and "Ice Cream Man."
Estuve cerca cerca cerca de ponerle nada más 4 estrellas a este disco, pero no veo la razón. Creo que es un parteaguas en la historia del Rock. No es que Eddie Van Halen sea el primer guitarrista en hacer solos, ni el más rápido o el más estridente, pero sin duda a partir de que él empezó a tocar así en 1978 se sentó el precedente de lo que la guitarra líder sería en el Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Glam, etc. usando técnicas como los armónicos, el tapping y encadenado de efectos que más de 40 años después siguen siendo sinónimo de Rock. Pienso también que el disco tiene un gran balance de estilos entre las distintas canciones: desde un cover a los Kinks y el de Ice Cream Man hasta el momento solista de Eruption, todo empaquetado en 35 minutos que se van como agua.
August 25, 2021 This album just does not stop. So good.
Classic rock is classic. But Eddie is fucking in heaven!
Like KISS, but fun-filled, more raw, and with less schmutz. Everything is done right here.
-It is literally Van Halen by Van Halen -"Runnin' with the Devil," "Eruption," "You Really Got Me," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," "Jamie's Cryin'," "Atomic Punk," and "Ice Cream Man" are all bangers
What an effort, the conversation between rock music old and new on this is so good. They also balance technicality and fun like no other band
Just look at some of the SONGS on this. Runnin' with the Devil, Eruption, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Jamie's Cryin'...come on. Easy, easy 5.
Whats to say? Perfect debut album
Here's what I wrote for the previous VH album that came up on this list: Dang, I love these guys. One of the most fun, energetic, innovative pop/rock/metal-esque (kind of sort of, at times) bands I've heard. It's hard to pen any praise of EVH because anything I have to say feels too, I don't know, pedestrian and trite. I'm a bumbling beginner guitarist who high-fives himself when I remember how to play a major scale properly or plays through a medium-tempo 4-chord song with only a few slips, then I put on any song with EVH on guitar and I feel like I've been transported to another semi-comprehensible dimension inhabited by some form of demigods and demigoddesses whose very beings are entangled completely with the Music of the Spheres. And, honestly, sure, there are countless amazing guitarists in all eras, but it's Eddie's genuine joy he shares when playing that is the most infectious aspect of his musicianship to me. Play on, Eddie -- I know you always will! This album was the second Van Halen record I owned. I was introduced to them via VH II. Such an unforgettable band.
An amazing debut from one of the best bands that basically created the whole genre of hair metal and thusly hundreds of rip offs. Every solo here shreds and all the songs can stand tall on their own.
Good album
Had no idea I liked Van Halen. This album slays. A I didn't realize this was their first album. This is a hell of a break out album. - LukeDogg
Magnifiek gitaarwerk, glamrock op z'n best
Great guitar solos, good enjoyable songs
Pretty basic 80's rock but it's definitely an enjoyable listen. 7/10. This marks two years on the sight, and the ceremonial 2/3rds of the way through the main list. Let's see what the last third has in store.
Its was alright
3 albums in, only knew a couple of their tunes before listening to this one so this one passed me by. Most excellent. The guitar playing is phenomenal and I'll be definitely checking out more
Too funny, I literally had the thought yesterday, “I wonder when I’ll get some Van Halen?” So many hits on this album. Impressive guitar work by Eddie Van Halen. (4)
Lots of great songs
Pretty short, but very good
So don't get me wrong. I really like the record. I wish I can hear it with fresh ears. And I say that in two different ways. One, I wish I can hear it without having heard some of these songs thousands of times over the course of my life. I mean, Running with the Devil, Eruption, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Jamie's Cryin', You Really Got Me. I've heard these songs so, so, so many times to the point where it's hard to appreciate them because I'm so overexposed to them. I also wish I can hear this album as somebody for the first time in 1978. By the time I heard this record, I had been exposed to Eddie Van Halen and his many eras. It would have been something to hear this for the first time, hear Eruption for the first time. It must have been mind-blowing. That being said, Eddie is not my favorite guitarist. I can certainly appreciate it from a technical standpoint, and I love the way his tone sounds, but it's just not how I play the guitar. I don't do tapping. I don't do insane pitch dives and stuff like that, feedback. I'm much more of an improvisational blues and riff rock kind of guy. I'm not really going for the sweeping and pinch harmonics. Guys like Vai and Petrucci and Satriani and all these guys who followed in Eddie's footsteps do almost nothing for me, aside from just technical impressiveness. But I know that I like this record at its core because the songs that I'm not exposed to, overexposed to, like Atomic Punk, On Fire. I can't wait to feel your love tonight. I'm the one. I really like those songs because I'm not so overexposed to them. I had a great time listening to them. I guess let's talk about David Lee Roth. In some ways he is still one of the prototypical frontmen of rock. His whole shtick with the jumping and kicking and leather pants and shirtless behavior defined what a rock and roll frontman singer, non-instrumentalist can be. His wild antics are legendary, but it's hard to separate that from the man who exists in the year 2026, who is still shirtless and in leather pants and 85 years old and looks like shit and sounds like shit and is still out there doing this. It's just kind of sad and it taints the David Lee Roth of 1978. He's also, like, apparently an asshole, and his feud with Eddie Van Halen, you know, isn't doing him any favors. But overall I really like this record. I wish I could hear it for the first time. I'll give it an 8.0 out of 10, four stars.
Lots of hits, great sound. But when they’re not hits they’re not really my style. 8/10
I'm really digging the recording on this album. The drums and guitar tones are very warm and smooth without sounding congested. Some impressive guitar solos on songs like Eruption. Very catchy hooks and melodies throughout the album, You Really Got Me and Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love being the standouts.
Saatanan hyvää musiikkia
Taattua laatua ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Olipa taas hyvä levy!
Wish there were more Van Halen songs in this playlist that I knew but still pretty good
Van Halen started at the top of their game and rose from there. It's incredible.
The first half of this album is absolute fire. 3 of their huge hits in Runnin With the Devil, You Really Got Me, and Ain't Talking About Love. Not to mention one of the most famous guitar instrumentals in history, Eruption. They're firing on all cylinders here. For me it's just slightly let down by a couple of weaker tracks later on but still a solid album.
Really fun guitar playing. A little flashy but it works. Great energy.
Hell yeah
Enjoyed. This is the album that has been most in my wheelhouse so far.
not typically a genre i would choose to listen to outside of this challenge but i liked this a lot more than i thought i would. i'm the one is particularly great. love the weird chorus of squealing in you really got me. love little dreamer and ice cream man as well. elevated butt rock
Quite a few bangers in this one and the rest of the album is good enough.
Hard rock isn't usually my thing, but I actually really dug this album. The guitar riffs are absolute gold and keep the whole thing super fun from start to finish. "You Really Got Me" and "Jamie's Crying" were easily my favorite tracks.
First time venturing into VH, much fun! No idea David Lee Roth was with them on their debut. A little goofy but still iconic 80's first and keys.
Top
Eruption solo transition into ain’t talkin’ bout love.
The origin of one of the best guitarists ever. Eddie, with the support of Alex and Michael, form an amazing band that excels in spite of Diamond Dave’s spotty singing on this album. Another album I had never listened to in its entirety yet knew almost every song.
9/10 pretty well guitar sounds
still one of the most legendary rock albums to this day. eruption is still crazy
A fine shredder.
eruption is INSANE!!
Surprised by how fresh and punchy this sounds. The talent on display is undeniable, and they sure knew how to craft a pop song out of hard rock with touches of metal, blues, and even doo wop.
Lots of classic guitar riffs. I can hear the big hair!
Solid
solid
Grande album che sintetizza cosa sono i van halen
Rokkenrollia. Hyvää rokkenrollia.
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Seminal cock rock masterpiece
I've never really been a big Van Halen fan aside from Jump, but I have always respected them as musicians because of stuff like Eruption, which is still insane to me. But this really worked for me, I liked it a lot. I really liked the cover of You Really Got Me, and I didn't really realize that Runnin' with the Devil was them, but I like that song a lot too. It was just really good, I get it now. Favorites: Runnin' with the Devil, You Really Got Me, Jamie's Cryin'
Roths vocals are not always my favour. But it rocks from start to finish and containing the three hits "Runnin' with the Devil", "You Really Got Me" and especially "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" it is a pretty fun listen. 3,5
Jams
Certainly a product of its time but, it is indeed a classic and the talent at hand is undeniable. Yes it’s basic but it’s purposeful and accomplishes what it seeks to do.
Such a great debut album. Hyped up track after the next. So fun. Eddie’s playing is like a roller coaster.
This being a debut is absolutely mind-blowing to me. Just constant high energy and technical skill the whole way through. Literally every song here sounded like it could be a single. The only reason it's not a 5/5 for me is because of Ice Cream Man. I just do not like that track at all. 4.5/5
Pues muy bien
1978!
I was NOT prepared to have my brain melt from these guitar solos. Good god. I feel like Eddie just impregnated me through his guitar and I am a man. Aside from the amazing guitar work the music is fine. Obviously inspired a lot of other artists, but it is so foundational it just sounds "generic". I can't fault the music for it, but I won't be listening to this again probably.
Van Halen are amazing rock artists, and Eddie van Halen is insane on the guitar. It is particularly cool to hear how they clearly must've been quite the inspiration on people like Iron Maiden.
Some songs I recognized but there were some I didn't know but they were still good
This album is exciting in 2026, never mind how it must have felt in 1978! Favourite tracks: Runnin' With The Devil, Ain't Talking Bout Love, Ice Cream Man
Absolute rock classic, but slightly too high energy for me. Every aspect of the band is flawless, the cohesive sound is iconic. Legendary.
I didn't realize how much I liked Van Halen or how great this album was! Really just a fun, absolute rocker from start to finish. What a phenomenal debut album.
Fun and a classic album
This makes me realise I should lock in and actually listen to Van Halen
I think I just need to admit to myself I'm a VH fan (DLR only). Again, there's about a million reasons for me to hate this band, but I am endlessly charmed.
Classic and timeless. Eddie Van Halen is a guitar God.
Мочилово дрочилово
Haven't listened to that in a long time. Brought back some good memories.
I, of course, know who Van Halen is. And I already have 7 songs liked on this album and 33 songs liked by them over all. Songs already "liked" on Spotify are: "Running With the Devil", "Eruption", "You Really Got Me", "Ain't Talking About Love", "Jamie's Cryin'", "Feel Your Love Tonight", "Ice Cream Man". Maybe some of the others will grab me after repeated listens. I always thought it was cool that one of their first hit singles was a cover of the Kinks song "You Really Got Me". They did a good job of adding a Van Halen spin while still remaining true to the spirit of the original. Twas also cool that the awesome instrumental "Eruption", basically served as the intro to that song on this album. I liked the Kinks at the time and so it definitely helped me appreciate Van Halen. They later did another Kinks cover of "Where Have All The Good times Gone" on the Diver Down album. This album came out as a fun hard rock album at a time when the radio was full of disco type music. In that way, I kind of think of this album as similar to Guns and Roses Appetite for Destruction. That one came out at a time when the radio was full of bland synth pop kind of stuff. One downside of the success of this album is I believe it can be pointed to as the source of inspiration for lots of shitty hair metal bands in the 80s. Groups with less talent and all flash. For a long time I let the endless shitty hair metal bands cloud my perception of Van Halen - but I do recognize these guys and this album as much better than all the rest of it. Ok - I also like "I'm The One", "Atomic Punk" and "Little Dreamer". Still don't dig "On Fire". It's funny on "I'm the One" you can hear David Lee Roth doing his doo wop type of singing at the end - which was a precursor to some of his solo stuff to come. Liked songs on Spotify: 10/11 Rating: 4/5
Heavy Metal and/or Hard Rock are not my genres, but this album is really good. Somehow, this bad manages to be both a rocker and commercial at the same time. Despite their breakup, I am not sure Eddie Van Halen or David Lee Roth would have made it without each other. Neither artist held much for me after their breakup.
Classic rock radio loves to see a good Van Halen album coming. And while i think I’ve only listened to this album twice before in my life I felt as if I knew every song. Which leaves me confused about Van Halen it’s good but it’s not good, it’s so extra but can also be fun. Eddie and Dave were special talents but they also seemed to get carried away. For some songs I think that got in the way. For others I think it made them come alive. So I’m a little torn but all in all I do think this album is essential for someone, somewhere…
Classic. Gotta love it, but I'm personally not super into metal so I can't give this more than a 4. Masterpiece nonetheless.
fun
Favorite songs: Runnin’ with the Devil, Eruption, You Really Got Me, Ain’t Talkin’ ‘bout Love, Jamie’s Cryin’, Ice Cream Man
Warner Bros. Records BSK 3075 (US) vinyl rip: This is what I think of when I hear the term "hard" rock. Not "classic" rock either. Start to finish, a killer album.
Favorite track(s): Runnin' With the Devil, Eruption, You Really Got Me, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Jamie's Cryin' Heard before Previous rating: 8/10
Classic
Even I know Eruption is a big deal. Defining a guitar sound that would be used for the next decade. Ooh! And then a fun cover of You Really Got Me, Ain't Talkin Bout Love is an absolute classic! Ha, a bit of doo-wop in I'm the One. 12BB on Ice Cream Man. On Fire has some decent metal riffs Best track - Eruption, You Really Got Me, Aint Talkin Bout Love, Feel Your Love Tonight, On Fire 3.5 stars - it's hard to rate! Amazing technique, some legendary songs, but also some 'filler' in terms of style. Call it a 4.
Hit after hit.
Pretty good, great guitar solos obviously but overall just a pretty enjoyable album.
Man I don’t know if I really like the album four stars worth, I listened to it once today and moved along, but this is a pretty fantastic debut and introduction to EVH. I don’t love his style all the time but he’s so original and proficient that it’s hard not to get swept up by him. Diamond Dave is perfect as a lascivious buffoon. The rhythm section.
guitarras chocantes eddie van halen você sempre será gigante
4/5 även om David Lee Roths röst ibland kommer i vägen för en rolig lyssning. Eddie är så jävla grym på den här plattan. Speciellt dom fem första låtarna rockar!
This album fucking ruled.
Eruptioooon
I remember when I first listened to this - I had heard so much hype about Van Halen, how Eddie was the greatest ever. His guitar playing defied expectations. This is one of those albums that you have to listen to loud. It's frankly an odd record for two reasons: first, no hard rock or metal band really sounded like this when it came out (no, not even Zeppelin or Deep Purple). Second, though it influenced tons of speed/thrash metal and 80s hard rock bands, it's not nearly as fast as the bands they would go on to influence. Van Halen took everything they liked - blues, 70s hard rock, 60s pop music, and classical symphonies, and repurposed it all for their own style. Amazing that nobody wanted to finance them at first, in spite of glowing endorsements from Kiss's Gene Simmons, among others. Perhaps because today they sound so familiar, but their approach to rock was quite alien at the time. David Lee Roth already displays charm and power in his singing style, Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen on the bass/drums are already choogling away with a metallic, tough sound (like a freight train going at top speed). As for Eddie? What he did to get his signature sound demands to be read about. He did everything you're NOT supposed to do to a guitar to make his very own. Almost died of an electrical shock when he modified and built his own guitar and amp setup. Totally nuts. I wouldn't describe his style as "fast" - it's animalistic, but also very precise and focused. As a guitarist, it's always a revelation to revist his guitar work. We owe so much to him. Imagine hearing this for the first time in 1978. What a fresh breath of air that must have been for a genre that was decaying out of boredom. It's not my favorite Van Halen album (that would be Fair Warning, not on the list for unknown reasons), but seeing as I prefer 1984 over this one, this still gets a 4 to 4.5 on the site.
Good, sassy, a little crazy. Epic
This a really high 4 but I can’t put my finger on why not a 5
While I was not into Van Halen at the time, I certainly get the appeal now. What a great debut. The group arrives fully formed, with a confidence and swagger well beyond their years. Eddie’s guitar playing delivers on the promise, and David Lee Roth‘s vocals are so much better than a 24-year-old should be able to deliver (and he had yet to be discovered as the insufferable a-hole that he truly is). Kudos to Michael Anthony for the excellent high harmony backing vocals on many of the tunes as well. The songwriting is quite good too, with a number of tunes that became standards in VH catalog, and their cover of “You Really Got Me“ does the song proud. It does run out of steam a little bit toward the end, which keeps it out of five star territory for me. Still, this is a very enjoyable album, and I am halfway tempted to give it a bonus star just for having the balls to put out a guitar hero album in the midst of the punk/new wave revolution. Well done.
I hadn't been a glam metal fan, but this album slaps
buen rockcito
Lots of fun to listen to, though it's not usually my style. I can see how this would have blown some minds when it came out, and I respect my brother-in-law's love for this music.
Very listenable even if you don't like the genre
Hard rocking from beginning to end
This was a fun van Halen album by Van Halen. It had soaring locks and vocals. I was doing dishes. I cleaned half of my house. Not too shabby.
4/8
Very good
After years of only really knowing Van Halen through their 80s, mega hit Jump and the recurring joke of how much Bill and Ted love them, finally hearing what they were like in their prime was quite a shock. I get it now, I really do. *doodles the Van Halen logo on his school notebook*
Dope
Many childhood listens of this album. I still love Eddie’s playing and tone. I’m less high on David’s vocals. As I’ve grown I’ve avoided what we now call butt rock, and this Van Halen album was a precursor to that.
Solid. Have to rate it high as it changes rock guitar. One of the great guitarists.
Great riffs. Quite the back-to-back with this and Metallica Black Album.
É aquilo, é interessante para quem não é o maior fã do gênero? talvez sim talvez não. Curti médio
I hate I like Van Halen 😆😆😆😆
Hørte på hjemmekontor 17.07
Genuinely surprise by how much I enjoyed this, what fucking bangers
You can tell it's Van Halen because of the way it is.
Holy hell… loud, titillating rock and roll. Put this in the air buds and I think my hair grew 12 inches. 4.4 🤘
Extremely enjoyable. Van Halen is a name I’ve always known for a reason. It’s perhaps not a sound I want to put on that often, but I can’t deny how much it rocks. 8/10 Most Excellent
Cool stuff. It’s a bit macho, and still poppy, but it feels way less creepy than 80s hair metal. Less self-absorbed I think. Eddie and Dave both have an almost tangible charisma. I wasn’t as familiar with side 2 of the record but it’s still solid.
Part of me feels like this was completely soulless, and part of me was annoyed by the self-indulgent guitar wankery on display... yet somehow a bigger part of me really enjoyed the music here. It's cheesy, and definitely of it's time, but for me it's feel-good rock/metal with some pretty infectious energy. Low 4.
Original Van Halen, now and forever, was one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time. Eruption was my alarm clock for the entire sophomore year of college. Every morning, full song, then got out of bed.
These guys are THEM. If the first them went for a picnic at the bottom of a lake and the second them tripped stepping out of an airplane lavatory, accidentally caught the emergency release on the exit door, fell through, were caught by the third and fourth them, and they all fell to their deaths like some macabre barrel of monkeys. The album is good. Some real classics.
I’m an admitted Van Halen disrespecter. I have never really liked their music and often sought to avoid it whenever possible. I was at an impasse here - it’s clearly a pivotal album in music history (or at least according to some consortium of folks whose opinions I should value). Eruption is still over-hyped for me, as sacrilegious as that may be to say to some camps. However, the album as a whole contains a lot of Van Halen classics that I’ve been sonically assaulted by over the years, and they all work together here. Hell, I even started to reverse my opinion on the band by the time I made it through this the first time. By the second time, I forgot I even had unfounded beef with them. Mid to high 4
A pretty decent album. makes a change from hearing Jump on various radio stations so many times. At least I can appreciate a higher variety of riffs and solos from this debut album. I say this band pretty much bridged the gap between classic rock and hair metal
FIRE
I thought I wasn’t that familiar with Van Halen, but of course I’ve already heard half of these tracks countless times on classic rock radio.
Ah, Van Halen. A band whose guitarist is hailed as the greatest guitar player since Hendrix. However, one great player does not a great band make. This is mostly a standard 70s AOR album with numerous legitimately good songs. However, Van Halen have never really been a favorite of mine. I don't particularly care for David Lee Roth's voice, and their songwriting usually isn't as catchy as other cock rock bands like AC/DC(my favorites from the genre). However, compared to a good chunk of the stuff on the list, this is an excellent album, not to mention refreshing. It's a good bit of fun and shredding, and that's all it needs to be. "Runnin' With the Devil" is overrated, though. This album is ranked #4 of 33 albums for 1978 by global rating. Other 1978 albums rated by me: Darkness on the Edge of Town(6/33)-5 Stardust(8/33)-4 Live and Dangerous(11/33)-4 This Year's Model(13/33)-3 All Mod Cons(14/33)-4 Germfree Adolescents(19/33)-4 Duck Stab/Buster & Glen(32/33)-3
dah bi gah
The only reason why Jamie should be crying is because of the song atomic punk, Screaaaaaaaaaaaaam screaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam screaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam screaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam Screaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam But great guitar playing. 4.2 out of 5
Classic Rock. Incredible instrumentals. For sure going in the lineup of albums I listen to frequently. Just wish it was a bit longer
Sick guitar, great listen
The only way I can think to describe this is "pretty" rock music. The sweet harmonies in Feel Your Love Tonight and the lead and backup vocals in so many of the songs are just nice on the ears.
Muy bueno, la verdad para ser el primer album de van Halen, una guitarra muy dinámica
Music you listen to when you shoot cheap whiskey and chase it with light beer
VAAAAAANNN HAAAALEEEEN
I enjoyed this album a lot more than I thought I would, enjoying the fact that it wasn't as heavy-sounding as I originally expected. I think this was a really nice length album, with each sound being around the 3-minute mark, and the album as a whole being just over half an hour. I didn't realise there was a version of 'You Really Got Me' by Van Halen, and I really enjoyed it. It wasn't too different from the version I was used to hearing, but I did enjoy it. I surprisingly loved most of the album, with I would say maybe only one or two tracks not interesting me all that much. In all, I thought this album was great, from the instruments to the vocals to the songwriting. Favourites: Feel Your Love Tonight You Really Got Me Jamie's Crying
Solid first album from a fantastic group. Eddie's guitar licks were amazing, Dave's yelling, and the harmonies from the rest of the band. Favorite tracks were Running with the Devil, Jamie's Cry and Eruption.
Very strong debut
A lot of songs I was familiar with were from this album that I did not realise .
Just fuckin shredding guitar for 35 minutes, no notes
Einiges so lala, aber ein paar banger sind dabei -zB ‚I’m the one‘
I hadn’t heard of or really listened to Van Halen before this album. However, I am pleasantly surprised, I enjoyed the album as a whole and definitely would like to listen again and delve into Van Halen at some point.
Woah. A very enjoyable listen and will be listening again !!
I was surprised by how much I liked this album. Some really great tracks and a nice cohesive sound throughout the album.
Good album with lots of really good tracks on it. Not my favorite Van Halen album but its still solid.
Great song I love the lyrics and how the song sounds like and feels like even though. The beat was one of my favorite things about the song that we listened to. But the guitar was one of my best yet least things because it was sorta confusing with the beat but I still understood. Mostly all of the song eve though the album cover is really cool in my opinion. I think the album cover really matches the song. I would recommend this to my friends and possibly my teachers.
Very good, I am relatively a fan of heavy metal, and the guitar was executed perfectly on this album.
These guys are supremely talented, but I’ve always thought they fell short in their songwriting. Eddie is a game changer.
🤘✌️ you can’t define rock and roll without Van Halen
it's no "1984", but it is good. david lee roth is the only lead singer of van halen as far as i'm concerned. "ain't talkin' bout love", "jamie's cryin'", "runnin' with the devil"... these guys loved droppin' the "g". 'reat tunes.
Holy guitar on Eruption. Incredible. Super tight right from the start of the album.
Demasiado bueno Van Halen te vas al choto de nashe
Just a bunch of wacky guys having some fun is the best version of VH, Roth can wail but his singing does not measure up to Eddie's shredding
I can see why this probably felt like such a breath of fresh air in the late 1970's. It largely ditches the sounds that hard rock had been developing for something a bit different, something that gestures towards the future. (I'm not a fan of that 80's sound, but Van Halen makes it feel like its going to be an exciting decade.) Perhaps the only analogue that comes to mind are some moments from Queen. Eddie Van Halen is a really flashy player, but can also write a pretty good riff. David Lee Roth isn't a spectacular singer, but he's good enough and his charisma comes across. The rhythm section is good as well. It's also a band that sounds like they are having a lot of fun. The Kinks cover is even growing on me. The only thing I would have left out was Eruption, but that's under two minutes long. Van Halen spent a lot of time as a big touring act without a contract I believe and that ability to engage an audience is fairly evident here. I like this record.
This is an outstanding debut album from a band who would go on to dominate the rock world for decades. I mean can you imagine hearing the guitar solo in the opening track “Running with the Devil” when the album was released in 1978? There is a reason why Eddie is frequently noted that Eddie helped redefine what a guitar could sound like. The music on the album is technically impressive. This record showcases the swagger and over-the-top, primal rhythms that are unique to this band. Others would try to copy it later, but nobody does it like the OG. Nearly every single song on this record would ultimately be considered a classic. Van Halen is credited with reviving interest in hard rock, and it is difficult to imagine how rock would have developed without their influence. As such, this album is absolutely one that everyone should hear at least once before they die. Like it or not, it is an important part of music history.
It's so bad but it's so good. Very front loaded, but then again, this isn't meant to be some connoisseur fine dining soundtrack, just classic glam rock. Faves: Runnin' with the Devil, Eruption, You Really Got Me, Ain't Talkin' Bout Love, Jamie's Cryin',
Classic. Fun as hell.
I think the most important thing about this album is that it was made in 1978, not 1986. If this were just eruption it would be like a bomb, but instead it's surrounded by a coupla bangers. Even at a trim 35 minute run-time it gets a little long in the tooth (as these excellent but limited-sounding rock band albums do) but you can jump in, listen to three or four songs and have a good time. There's just something that kicks ass about it, but you can only take so much ass-kicking. The front half is better than the back half, but again, 1978. Woo.
i've heard You Really Got Me on the radio a bunch, but nothing else off this album Runnin' With the Devil - 5/5 Eruption - 5/5 You Really Got Me - 4/5 Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love - 5/5 I'm the One - 4/5 Jamie's Cryin' - 3/5 Atomic Punk - 3/5 Feel Your Love Tonight - 3/5 Little Dreamer - 4/5 Ice Cream Man - 3/5 On Fire - 3/5 Average score: 3.8/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a really fun album, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it!
This album was so much fun! I was a bit young to ever really know a lot of Van Halen besides the Hagar era, so I enjoyed hearing this debut. It was a super easy listen, ya know, didn't have to think to hard about any of the songs and just let them happen. My favorite song was "I'm the One" because of the energy!
This is much, much better than 1984. Before even listening to this, I could tell that from the first half of the tracklist being nothing but hits. Jamie's Cryin' isn't quite as good as the other hits, but still. Was thinking this could be a situation of the second half just completely falling off, but with the exception of Ice Cream Man, it's just as good as the first half. On Fire is fantastic. So yeah. Great hard rock album.
Rv
The original van band
4.25-4.5 ⭐️
This album can’t make it to five stars; there is just not enough variety musically and emotionally. It does deserve its reputation as a genre shifting all-time great debut album. Van Halen built on the big riffs of Led Zeppelin, the showmanship of Mick Jagger, and even the Beach Boys vocal style. Like many artists, they altered these influences to such a degree that Van Halen became something new. Eddie Van Halen brought new techniques and sounds on the guitar that had the same impact as Jimi Hendrix. Does that mean I love Eddie? Not really, since his style on this record had zero nuance. One just goes wow as he blows one giant bubble after another. Ultimately it leads to the path of many stunt guitarists who can amaze with their speed and manipulation of effects, but lack the restraint and tone to provide pain, storytelling or even sweaty sexuality. However, on this record the bubbling blowing is groundbreaking and works well with the songs. Similarly, the signs of David Lee Roth’s male Rockette show can be seen, but at this point his massive personality gets harnessed enough to provide amusement. The lyrics and attitudes of the songs reek with simplistic libido, but in a fun way. While there is sexism, there is little chauvinism as no anger is directed at women. Roth even seems to have some sympathy for women’s plight as he mentions Jamie wanting more than “one night stands.” Lyrical analysis is beside the point with Van Halen as the delivery is all that matters. Like Black Sabbath’s first few records, this album starts out with five or six absolute bangers. It comes up a little short with some of the material on the second half of the record as “Little Dreamer” and “Ice Cream Man” fail to inspire. Those songs cannot take away from the innovative classics and stomping, less known ones like “I’m the One” and “Atomic Punk”, which nearly match the better known tunes. We know what’s coming with their influence on Hair Metal, Van Hagar and Roth’s “Just a Gigolo.” None of that matters as this album ranks close to Led Zeppelin’s and The Doors first records, and even the more respected and lauded punks of Van Halen’s era.
Good solid guitar rock album with nice bass playing too. Surprisingly melodic. Sounds very eighties.
i love this album. amazing to think that it is almost 50. i still don't really like the kinks cover (the original is perfect, tyvm), so it loses out on perfection. i do listen to it every now and then
Это хорошо
Me gustó más de lo que pensaba.
Cool
Wechselhaft mit aufkommenden Gitarrenwolken
erste hälfte mega, danach wirds ein bisschen zäh
Nice :)
Well this should be fun… And it was! Damn. If they didn’t mostly sing about sex this might go to 5. I mean when they broke out in full do whop in the middle of I’m the One I almost lost my shit! Wow. I so underestimated Van Halen. Don’t know if they were even on my radar growing up… 4 Boolean: yes, this is why I am doing this exercise, you know, before I die, and no longer can.
If you can listen to it loud, this is a 5.
Pretty damn good
I did enjoy this quite a bit. It's noisy, it's obnoxious, but it's fun. Runnin' with the Devil, You Really Got Me, Ain't Talking About Love, and Jamie's Cryin' were my favorites. The others were alright but I hated Ice Cream Man, apparently it's a cover of a blues song but the lyrics did not do it for me, they were incredibly weird. Great music to listen to while riding a motorcycle in the summer.
Гитары это что-то нереальное
Fun! But not my cup of tea. Either way I have to appreciate the craftsmanship and skill, so I can’t give it less than a 4.
Too unpretentious to demand respect but deserves more of it than most we give out
I like this, it's fun and rock'n'roll! It's not too much and not too little. Would probably be good in a vintage car w/ the windows rolled down. I recognize "You Really Got Me."
unexpectedly really really liked it 8.5/10
4/5
That was an exciting ride
I knew so many more songs than I thought! I really liked this album and I played it twice through!
I mean… classic rock perfection. On this go around it clicked for me how poppy these songs are. I also love how this album sounds and where the harmonies sit in the mix. 4.55
I mean just pure fun. Awesome classic rock and roll. I can’t listen to this without thinking about that amazing video of Eddie Van Halen playing eruption live. So so awesome.
Rockin' 3.5
they're having a great time on this. really get the sense they're doing their favorite thing in the world which helps sell the enjoyment i get out of this more than other classic-ish rock records.
Holy tuff
Enjoyed more than expected. Bet they were amazing live.
The guitar playing is justifiably praised to high heaven but their ability to make some wildly catchy pop songs is the core part of the appeal to me. A song like Eruption can feel like an intricate escalator to nowhere but the more pop type songs combine the best of Boston with the technical proficiency.
adorable:)
Eddie's face melters and Diamond Dave's showmanship make for quite a satisfying stew of heavy rock. Favorite track: Runnin' With the Devil
why cant van halen copycats sound half as good as van halen? the world may never know. 4.5
I love how Fridays usually bring some of the best albums. This certainly does not disappoint.
Tenia a Van Halen muy subestimado, que gran album
This album was played throughout my childhood. Evokes lots of feelings. I really enjoy listening to it. Another one of these albums where I have no real way of critically looking at it 'cause it's like deeply-embedded in my lived experience. I would say that compared to most if not all other VH records, this one does stands up the best. It's full of killer tracks with minimal filler. Big energy the whole time.
This is absolutely exceptional out of the gate, and then the back half of the album really falls off for me - with the exception of Ice Cream Man which has always been a favorite.
++: Eruption, You Really Got Me, I'm the One, Jamie's Cryin', Feel Your Love Tonight, Little Dreamer, Ice Cream Man +: Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love +-: Runnin' with the Devil, Atomic Punk, On Fire 8,2/10
For Eddie’s guitar playing only and the first 4 songs this should be 5 stars how ever the rest of the album not so much…
Incredibly stacked front-end album, an insane debut album Fave track: Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
It's like if Red Bull was an album. It straight up creates energy!
Finally some good fuckin music
not relly my genre,but has a lot of cool riffs
First four tracks are a phenomenal start, especially for a debut album. Overall very good and groundbreaking. Only thing holding it back for me is that the vocals wear on me by the end of the album.
A band I’ve always known, but I’d never listened to an album straight through. Glad I did! Van Halen I feels like the platonic form of a classic hard rock album. I totally understand why Eddie’s guitar playing became so legendary, and why bands like these had cult followings… albums like Van Halen’s are huge sensory experiences, and hearing them in concert must’ve been wild. Not the kind of music intended for earbuds.
Great album!
rockin
Groupe connu, album connu et apprécié. Superbes riffs et solos de guitare, morceaux entrainants, que demander de plus ? Je ne l'avais pas écouté depuis longtemps, et je l'apprécie toujours malgré quelques morceaux un peu plus faibles vers la fin (qui lui évitent la note maximale). =>4/5
Big guitar go loud
It was an ok album some songs I liked
This is a really good album, especially when considering it was VH's debut. Somehow they perfected their sound right out of the gate. It feels like an iconic 80s rock/metal album while being released in 1978. It both followed the blueprint of rock that had come before while also setting the standard for a lot of what would follow. Distinctive vocalist, dominating guitar work, and steady rhythm sections rocking out on 3 to 4 minute songs that were really all about the hooks. The only track that really varies from that is a cover, Ice Cream Man, which starts off with a softer acoustic blues intro. As a whole, the album shows up, rocks your world, and is over in 35 and a half minutes. For all it does well, though, it still has issues. There are some really good songs on here, but others are forgettable. Most of the second half pales in comparison to the first side. The last track, On Fire, didn't really feel like an album closer to me. Also, the formula it followed made it a little dull despite it's liveliness. A few more tone change-ups, like on Ice Cream Man, would've kept me more engaged. I'm sure a lot of the issues can be chalked up to inexperience or lack of material when making the album as a relatively young band. They still made a really fun, enjoyable listen. And it's impossible to deny the impact Van Halen had on the music world. This album doesn't quite reach "great" status for me, but I do think it was very good. Overall: 3.8/5
What’s not to love??
I'm livin’ at a pace that kills
ace combat + van halen
I’m not a big Van Halen guy but this is a super fun collection of massive, catchy, shredding hard rock.
As someone who missed the release of this album by 12 years it’s relevance has only until now been its pop Culture staying power. However the guitar sound had to have been pretty powerful at the time. A respectable debut album in spite of its very “of the time” lyrics.
bao
Van Halen - Van Halen A tour de force of Eddie's unparalleled skills, thrills and tricks. Totall rewrote the book on hard rock and ushered in an era of big hair and spandex! Impossible not to like, but some dodgy lyrics and DLR's not quite great vocal style just takes the shine off for me. Best Track - Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love Worst Track - Feel Your Love Tonight 8/10
I really enjoyed this album. It was Van Halen's debut album and it really sounds like the beginning of the 80s hair metal bands. There are a few covers that are really fun additions to the album. Lots of great guitar and drums.
Great rock album! I heard most for these songs on Classic Rock stations over the years. David Lee Roth was a fun frontman while Eddie Van Halen was the serious and talented guitarist.
So many songs that I absolutely have heard before but didn't realize were van halen Also interesting that my image of them is like WOW HARD ROCK REBELS REBELS but the sounds feels... pop-adjacent to my 2026 ears. Certainly not rebellious or underground or countercultural at all. Were van halen counterculture? Or mainstream? google says *very* mainstream
good metal
Appreciate this more than I actually like it.
#342/1001. I was playing this on my phone speakers first of May, driving from forest to home on my eFat bike, crossing the Artic Circle to the South, visiting the empty Santa Claus village with Yuletid carols blasting on the speakers, but none of these could take away the fact that this is a fun album (also that I know it by heart). It paved away to hair metal (which is sort of a curse, but perhaps also one reason I spent a year in LA in the early 90s which was both a blessing and a curse), and of course it gave air guitarist all around the world the best tune ever. I have typically given metal / hard rock albums a low score, but just can't do this in this case. And why should I?
Két menetben hallgattam meg. Az első három szám akkor szólt a fülemben, mikor a Vincééknél tanultunk. Már túl voltunk a csodálatos, pont tökéletesen habos olasz kávénkon, ő kiheveredett a mezei virágokkal tűzdelt fűbe, hogy podcastet hallgasson a második ipari forradalomról (szerintem bealudt, de ő állítja, hogy csak elbóbiskolt rajta). Akkor nevettem is, annyira hirtelen érkeztek hozzám a brutál gitár szólók. A You really got me feldolgozásnál felcsillant a szemem, de azt éreztem, hogy hiányzik belőle valami plusz. Aztán ahogy tovább haladtam, rájöttem, hogy ez a baj. A első hangot már maximumon kezdik, így 36 perc szélsőség az egész. Az Ice cream man-nél már azt sejtem, hogy ezt ők is észlelték, ezért egy kis countryt is belcsepegtettek, de az volt az érézésem, hogy ez csak egy Presley epigoni pillanata lett a bandának. Azzal meg ugye elkéstek, mert 1978-ban már Presley ideje is lejárt. A dob szólók nagyon tetszettek, és persze a Eruption gitár etűd nagyon izgi volt.
It’s a three star record, but Eruption alone gets it an additional star.
cuando escucho eruption me pasan COSAS
This is indeed the birth of cool
An album that revolutionised rock music and guitar playing, paving the way for glammed up shredders to lay waste to the 80s. I don’t need to say that Eddie is one of the best guitar players who ever lived—it’s a well-established scientific law at this point.
It was good this Ain't talkin bout love is the highlight, and it's an absolute peach. The downside was the cover of You Really Got Me, but overall it's a goodun
I'm the one es bueniisimaaaaa Ice cream man, nada que ver a todo el album, pero buenanga que buen grito en on fire. No soy fan de este rock, pero suena bueniiiisimo, el nivel de complejidad no es de cualquier oreja de peto
Van Halen is better than Kiss. That I have to get out of the way. Great debut album. Running with the Devil, Eruption, and You Really Got Me as an opener is great. Successful for a reason and nearly perfect for the genre.
Classic rock, Eddie’s guitar wizardry is phenomenal. Not sure what the deal was Ice Cream Man, but great tunes up and down this album.
Entertaining enough but definitely seems like it was meant for live performances, but recording.
Si bien no es el tipo de rock que escucho habitualmente, es un placer escuchar musica bien tocada! El sonido de la guitarra y los solos son marca registrada e inspiraron a toda una generación.
The world needs more Track 2s to be just guitar solo
Noice
8/10 (4/5 stars) Favorite song: "Little Dreamer" Least favorite song: "Ice Cream Man" a. Runnin' with the Devil - 8/10; I love the guitar solo and just the guitar in general. Very good song. b. Eruption - 8/10; I LOVE this. I love how its just a guitar the whole time and no lyrics. I like how it kept the same style but it didn't all sound the same. c. You Really Got Me - 9/10; Classic song. The chorus is very catchy and the guitar is iconic (and very good). There's not anything I don't really like about this song. d. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love - 7/10; I don't think this song really hits the same as the previous songs. It's good but it's not as good as the others. I like the end a lot (like the last minute or so). e. I'm the One - 7.5/10; I really like this song. I like the chorus and I like the supporting lyrics. I like the end of this song as well. f. Jamie's Cryin' - 8.5/10; I like the second half a lot when it kinda calms down a little and then gets right back to it. I like this song a lot. The guitar is good. g. Atomic Punk - 8/10; I like the guitar in this song as well. I also like the drums a lot. The vocals are really good in this song too. Good song. h. Feel Your Love Tonight - 9/10; Already, the instruments sound amazing in the beginning. I also like the vocals. I like the layering happening in this song too. The chorus is catchy. I really like the end in this song too. i. Little Dreamer - 9.5/10; I love the supporting vocals in this song a lot. This song is very good and I like how it sounds a lot. j. Ice Cream Man - 7/10; This song has a very different feel to it. I like the second half a lot more than the first half. k. On Fire - 7/10; I like the guitar rhythms in this song. The vocals are also very good. Good song.
Definitely a unique and special record and moment in time. Growing up in the 80s as a budding guitarist, you really had Eddie shoved down your throat – he was portrayed as the be-all end-all peak of everything. Every guitar magazine. My band in HS insisted we cover some, it was a trio so I was def pressured into it. I rebelled the other way, getting into REM, the Grateful Dead, Dire Straits. But through the lens of history I can appreciate Eddie. And I did learn to play the mid section of Eruption lol. This album and 1984 are about as far as I go with them but both are exceptional. Shout out to Michael Anthony, a woefully underrated part of the chemistry, groove, and backing vocals of VH. It's great. It's not the GREATEST MUSIC EVER MADE. But it's great.
Good, probably groundbreaking at the time, can't help but compare it to 1984
A full on 80 stadium rock classic. Full of face melting guitar riffs and Dave Lee Roth's trade mark suggestive and giving it all he's got vocals. At one point, I did imagine that Marty McFly in a radiation suit was melting my brain with his walkman during the track 'Eruption'. I also got a feeling of 'Hot for Teacher' from 'I'm The One'. So you can see where that hit evolved from. Absolute stone cold classic cover of 'You Really Got Me' that reminds me of my days playing 'Guitar Hero' instead of actually learning how to play the guitar. So many wasted hours. Overall, I can see why Van Halen became absolute rock gods and a generation of young men wanted to be in the band. (4.000)
Only a 4 cause i thought it eould be a 2 or 3 more of a 3.5 than a 4
rock on!
I had no idea this album came out in 1978. So many bangers. Not a fan of instrumental/guitar solo tracks.
Very very fun. Upon further research these are THE guitar riff people like damn. Shit hit hard ash it truly was headbangingmusic
Eddie van Halen and some other guys make music. some great rock songs, influencal guitar riffs. Band is not overrated (regarding rock bands) but some songs of the album are quite lame. It's not a "perfect" album in my book.
This went way harder than I expected.
Fun and energetic album - short and sweet, left me feeling buzzed.
I love metal and rock, but have never gotten into glam/hair metal. This was a solid album, and an incredible debut as well. Love it.
Solid intro album for a band. Lots of great songs, and of course, Eddie shreds. DLR gets on my nerves after a bit tho
Guitar lyricism masterclass!
I was surprised by Ice Cream Man, but thought it was a nice addition, meant there was some variation and it kept the album interesting. Really enjoyed it and would probably listen again, some great guitar playing and some fun songs. Fav song: You Really Got Me - I think that's a familiarity thing though. If I kept listening I might pick a different favourite. Least fav: Atomic Punk
Pretty good album and I like the cover as well. Ice cream man was a weird deviation but not terrible, just didn’t expect it at all. Like the cover as well. Specific rating - 4.2 Fav song - Jamie’s cryin Least fav - atomic punk
Great rock album- perfect balance of energy and refined musicality. The guitar is very impressive but I could have done with a couple less "look how good he is" riffs. Favourite song: Jamie's Cryin' Least: Atomic Punk
My first rock concert was these guys in support of this album (with a few "sneak peek" songs from VHII thrown in since they were nearing the end of the tour), so please note my bias up front. Even given that personal history, I tend to forget this one when I think of great debut albums, but it's certainly right up there. Van Halen came onto the scene fully formed. They will have other great albums, but it's hard for me to argue that anything they will later do is actually BETTER than this album as a whole. This morning, I'm trying to decide whether it might not be a sad thing that they never progressed beyond this. This is a group that came out of the box doing exactly what they would always do, even when Sammy Hagar took over the vocals from David Lee Roth. For the next 10-15 years, no one was going to do what they do better than they do it. Pretty much all of that future history is right there to hear with a spin of this album.
8/10 me gustó mucho 👏👏
Fun, late 70s rock. Stellar debut album. Van Halen not Van Hagar!
Ice cream man is a song I've never heard before. Huge fan.
Legendary guitar work. Solid bass. OK vocsls.
I was pleasantly surprised by this album! ‘Eruption’ was good, I loved their cover of ‘You Really Got Me’ by the Kinks was fantastic! ‘Ain’t talking’ bout Love’ and ‘The Ice Cream Man’ were both good as well! definitely a solid album!
I already knew this album well, I had it on vinyl as a teenager (I am now 51). Really loved it at the time, it is one of those ones that I overplayed, and slightly soured myself to it. Still love Eruption and Runnin' With the Devil
I was expecting a camp guitar smasher - which this is - but also it’s a lot more. I really enjoyed the mixed covers really made their own, and the overall vibes.
Ton of classics.
Never took much notice of VH and this was the first album of theirs which I have listened to in full. And what a delight it was. Always associated them with MOR FM radio rock but this album was released before that was a thing. It therefore ticks all the boxes on how I liked my rock music in those days when I was well into Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin et al Great discovery then today so I thank the 1001 Gods for this that. 4/5 22/4/36
Main thoughts: This was such a good album. It's the first rock album I've fully listened to and it completely broke the stereotype of what I thought rock music was. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, and funny in the span of thirty five minutes. I felt like I went on this amazing journey with the band across a wide range of subjects. I think because my brother listens to a lot of really heavy metal, I was expecting something closer to that, but it really wasn't. The heavy drums and guitar are mainly just giving the lyrics more volume and power than non rock songs would have, and it was so cool. Favorite songs: Runnin' with the Devil Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love I'm the One Jamie's Cryin' Atomic punk Feel Your Love Tonight Ice Cream Man On Fire Song review Runnin with the devil this was a pretty good, but the catchiest part of this song is by far the chorus, and I feel like I'm getting bored with the other parts. Overall, its a fun song and makes me excited for the rest of the song Eruption: The entire song is a guitar solo, which I've never heard before, but its done really well where it's not annoying or feels like its taking forever You Really Got Me: It's a nice song, but it's pretty repetitive with the "Girl you really got me now" being the main lyrics but it was still pretty enjoyable. However, the first three songs feel pretty uninteresting, so if the rest of the album stays like this, I don't think I'll like it too much Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love So far my favorite song on the album, the direct switch from the message of the last song about loving someone to feeling betrayed by them is really interesting. On top of that, the contrast between the emotional lyrics and the loud, energetic delivery is really interesting and makes me like this song so much more. finally, the sadder, soft interlude is so well done and puts this song over the top for me I'm the One Similar to you really got me with the repetitive lyrics, but for some reason, it resonated with me more and I liked it a lot. Secondly, the scat in the middle was so unexpected but honestly just shows their musical range to decide to do that and do it well, but to also not be afraid of doing just because they're supposed to be a tough, hardcore band Jamie's Cryin' Tops Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love as my favorite by a mile, the switch from the singer telling stories about himself to telling someone else's story is really cool, and gives an outside perspective while letting us really feel what Jamie is feeling. Atomic Punk: A drastic change from the previous songs on the albums, switching from love and romance to what I think most people think when they think of rock. It is pretty much saying that he's the ruler of the streets and that everyone fears him. It also talks about "the atomic punk, obviously, but what the atomic punk actually is, is never explained, which I really love. Feel your love tonight: The switch from love to hardcore back to love is so interesting to me because I never really considered that rock songs could be about love, so hearing so many love songs in a rock album is so amazing. I feel like I'm saying this about every other song, but this is so far my favorite because it's just about him falling head over heels in love with a girl, and its so sweet and so genuine, but mixed with rock makes this song so fun to listen to Little Dreamer: I'm not really sure what this song is about, obviously a little dreamer, who was underestimated and made fun of, but while some lyrics imply that they actually did amazing things, other lyrics imply that they failed and never did anything. The song was still good, but because I'm not really sure what story they wanted to tell, its not one of my favorites Ice Cream Man: This song is defiantly one of my favorites from the album, I love how it starts acoustic but then switches to rock without changing any of the lyrics, just changing the delivery and adding a rock beat to the background. I'm almost certain it was some sort of sexual innuendo, but for some reason, saying for sure it is feels a little bit wrong, so I'll just say it probably is. In the acoustic part of the song, it felt like a really weird but cool change of pace, but it surprised me when halfway though the song, they completely changed styles and went straight back to rock. On Fire: This song is also almost definitely a sexual innuendo, but it's also just saying, "yeah I know that album was really good I'm doing great". This song was a nice and satisfying way to wrap up the album and just feels like they're having fun and not trying to make a big statement with it
There isn't much to say about this album that hasn't before. Eddie Van Halen's guitar playing is on a whole other level, and even on some of the weaker songs his playing alone elevates the material to a whole other level. And yes, David Lee Roth is without a doubt one of the greatest frontmen of all time, but I feel like not enough attention gets put on the harmony vocals between Eddie and Alex. Where's the justice in that?
wohooo yeee! au whoo love eruption. these guys were very horny...
Eh me sorprendió, pensé que iba a ser más pesado el estilo pero buena onda.
Honestly pretty great. Not only are the songs absolute bangers but the whole album works really well as a complete package with a good sense for the tracklist order. I'd definitely listen to it again.
Very close to a 5 but I got a bit bored in the middle, excellent opening and closing tracks!
An unexpected like, it carried me along on enthusiasm and technique!
These guys are good at guitar! I don't think it's as good as later albums, but it felt pretty cohesive for a debut. 4*
Solid album. Heard most songs before. 3.5-4
I don’t really like David Lee Roth (or Van Halen), but he’s obviously the better frontman for the band. This album is undeniable.
As my first exposure to Van Halen, i got myself wondering "Damn, human are capable of playing this good with a guitar?". While i wasnt to strong on the lyrics side of things, vocals, drums, base and, Most importanly, Guitar, were the strongest parts of the album. Favorites include: Eruption, Aint Talking 'bout Love, Ice Cream Man, Atomic Punk Aint talkign about love is one of the exceptions, in my opinion, that has solid lyricism that i find neat. The strinking notes with the guitar, the percusions on the middle part of the song and the end are Amazing! This is overall a 9/10 album! If you want to hear a very, and i mean, Very sick guitar playing skills, as an introduction to the genre, Van Halen's got you covered
RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL!!!!! I LOVE VAN HALEN. DUDE? ERUPTION? Oh there's an eruption right now. IN MY PANTS. AND STRAIGHT INTO YOU REALLY GOT ME. Next ones a little weaker. ANYWAYS. THIS ALBUM SOUNDS AMAZING! I think this album has pretty good songs. But also has some songs I wouldn't listen to on a every day basis.
It's a four for me, but if this style of rock is your jam it's got to be an easy five stars.
Heerlijk dit stijltje. Running with the devil en Aint' talkin' bout love zijn bangers.
Toen ik hier aan begon op mn brakke zondag had ik niet verwacht dat het me zo goed zou doen hahaha wat een banger.
You Really Got Me (11 songs, 35 mins)
A great powerful album bordering hard rock, glam rock, heavy metal and the good old blues. It's iconic now and Eddie Van Halen is a masterful guitar player. Usually not so much my kind of rock music, but I appreciate it very much.