Van Halen

Top notch LA hair metal.

Some iconic bangers and overall a great album but there were a few stinkers

One hell of a debut. Some serious bangers, but a few of the songs do not reach memorable status.

pierwsze albumowe spotkanie z van halen. miało potencjał, żeby się podobać, ale jednak zbyt monotonnie. Special mention - feel your love tonight. Pewnie wpadnie na jakichś podróżach samochodowych.

very good album, solo guitar is excelent

Favorite Songs: You Really Got Me, Feel Your Love Tonight Least Favorite Song: I'm the One My guy is absolutely SHREDDING that guitar.

This is 5 stars on so many levels. Playlisted: I'm The One, Little Dreamer, On Fire

Some power tunes to cheer you up and hit the gym! Or the aerobics class!

classic rock from 70s. boring

3/5

This is one of those records that can leave you panting by the end. The production is stellar. Ted Templeton really captured the essence of these songs and didn't try to restrain Ed. The backup vocals are amazing, the drumming is so so underrated and David Lee Roth is perfect here. No, he's not even the best singer that's been in this band, but he is the PERFECT singer for this band. Until Sammy (lol...). What I mean is he's perfect for Van Halen at this time. This is simply an undeniable record. I don't have the first clue how ANYONE could dislike this record.

Played a lot, Eddie Runnin with the devil You really got me Jamie's cryin

I liked it, dont listen to a bunch of rock by myself so this was cool to get to

Not one bad song

I’ve listened to this one before and it’s awesome. Feels like a big party. I’m big on whammy bars so this is great. The cover of You Really Got Me was really interesting. They complexified (is that a word?) it and made it very much their own, and I think it’s a testament to how hard rock drew from a lot of the same influences as punk, despite the fact that it’s a lot more glam and a lot more complex and high-concept. The cover of Ice Cream man is equally as interesting. It provides a dynamic shift at the perfect time, right where I find myself growing a bit tired of the consistent high energy levels. The vocals are impressive and I love blues rock. Eruption is my favorite track. And yes, I do play guitar, and I am quite annoying. The suspense of the opener, Runnin With the Devil, is really well done. It starts on this low, almost creepy note then devolves into a total party. I love the little bursts of guitar noodling throughout. It gives a sense of spontaneity to the whole thing. The production definitely sounds a lot like Led Zeppelin II. I’m the One (like the Descendants!) definitely has a Black Sabbath influence at times, and more whammy bar, and that fun bridge part! Feels like live music and I love live music. The vocals are also incredibly impressive. I can’t take myself seriously when I hum so being able to make those vocalizations and make them sound raw requires a lot of confidence, as well as talent. The sort of raw, party-like energy of it reminds me a lot of Appetite For Destruction, except I find GNR obnoxious so this is way better (tho they are objectively good I guess…sigh…). GNR sounds like frat boys but Van Halen comes off as more punk. Ofc, the closer On Fire is also perfect. It seems like an almost call to arms…not, like, politically, but just because they wanna have fun. It perfectly sums up the rest of the album. To recap: Favorite songs: Eruption, Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love, Atomic Punk, On Fire Least favorite songs: Feel Your Love Tonight (still a banger though) Rating: 4/5 Similar albums: Led Zeppelin II, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Appetite For Destruction

respect to the original dad rock i guess Would I listen again: no Deserves to be on this list: yes 3.4

Talented musicians making boring music

I knew the first four songs plus Jamie's Crying. The guitar speaks for itself and the drumming is solid as well.

An electric debut album that captures all the quality of the group from the vocal to the drum work to the outstanding guitar playing.

I started out thinking 'oh no, brace for schlock rock overload' but within about ten mins I was fairly well into it 😅🤘

Used to have this on repeat back in the day. Fun album, great songs and of course EVH blistering guitar.

Guitar screeches. Wee wee wee wheeeeewwww

Cock rock for shlock jocks Little dreamer is alright

Hell yeah brother

Favourite Songs: Ain't Talking 'Bout Love Jamie's Crying

Nope

Absolutely not for me

more sizzle than steak for my ears

If I played instruments I wouldn't have done that

BAD MUSIC. NOT AWFUL BUT STILL VERY BAD

A nostalgic listen that really holds up. I can't even remember the last time I listened to this album in its entirety, but I'm really glad I did.

Really enjoyed this one. Incredible guitarist, some ridiculously impressive solos and the Kinks cover is brilliant. Very impressive for their first album. Look forward to (hopefully) hearing more by Van Halen.

Classic, but I don’t see myself reaching to listen to this too regularly other than a couple of the songs. Still iconic though.

Why didn't I know Van Halen made such iconic songs? Like how does he make such cool guitar riffs with his incredible sounding guitar while also doing barbershop quartet style adlibs? There is a lot of awestruck questions I could ask about this band, all i know is that this is a rich and beautiful sounding album. 9/10

Classic 70’s rock

Buen disco de rock el primero de Van Halen. Sin ser muy heavy ni ser muy metal, se las arreglaron para ser lo suficientemente rompedores de manera que mostraron el camino a muchas bandas posteriores que se beneficiaron del sonido honesto y poco pretencioso del grupo. Sin ser fan ni de la banda ni del estilo, la verdad es que su escucha se hace interesante y descubres algunos temas muy rescatables, como el que abre el disco, que ya fue exitoso en su día pero nunca me había parado a saborearlo como toca.

Really sick album. An incredible debut album for the band.

Most excellent. One of the best hard rock albums ever by a band not called Led Zeppelin.

This album is the whole reason I picked up a guitar as a kid. I suppose I’ve panned this album for while, though, probably because my tastes changed in the 90’s. However, growing up listening to classic rock radio in the 80’s, there was no denying this album’s influence and how many bands followed it. For me, there were albums before 1978 and albums after 1978 with this album being the inflection point. Ted Templeman got some criticism but looking back, this album sounds great. Not a bad song on here. Although not in my handful of top albums of all time, hard to give it anything lower than 5 stars.

easiest five just gives hit after hit

BAAAAANG!

4.09/5 Stars Top Songs: Ice Cream Man, Runnin' with the Devil and I'm the One

I listened to this record so many times that I remember the little scratches and pops on the vinyl as if they are part of the songs. When I hear the end of one song I can hear the next song start in my head before it starts. I can do that with all the VH albums up to 1984. Am I OK? Love them or hate them, it is undeniable the original Van Halen was one of the greatest rock groups...ever. Eddie's guitar obviously groundbreaking. David Lee Roth re-defined what a front man should be. Sometimes overlooked though are Alex's drums and Michael Anthony's bass and especially his backing vocals. Some blame them for "Hair Metal", but that would be like blaming Pearl Jam for bands like Creed. This is an incredible album and Van Halen is a legendary group.

It's good

Ice cream man is great maybe 3.9

I wasn't expecting this. Just an all-out onslaught of awesome from the first note. I don't know if Van Halen is supposed to fit in with 70s rockers, or if they're the forefathers of 80s butt rock, but this album is banger after banger after banger. You're on song 7 before you can come up for air. I find myself looking for reasons not to give this 5 stars because I'm trying to keep 5 stars relatively rare. But I don't like 70s rock for the most part, and I'd listen to this goddamned thing again for *fun*.

The notion of the guitar as a musical instrument was forever changed when this record came out in 1978. Rock music already had produced some unbelievably gifted guitarists: Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, Joe Perry, Eric Clapton etc.: but Eddie Van Halen was something else entirely. Imagine hearing 'Eruption' for the first time in '78 and possessing a strong urge to snap your guitar in two because there's no way you'd be able to outdo EVH. That's the seismic nature of Van Halen's debut record. 11 songs. 35 minutes, and more than plenty energetic, party-ready anthems to keep you exhilarated from start to finish. Those first four songs: 'Runnin' With the Devil', 'Eruption', 'You Really Got Me' [a Kinks cover], 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love', 'I'm the One' and 'Jamie's Cryin'' constitute one of the greatest Side A's of all time, and while the second half is not quite as memorable, there's still plenty of charismatic rockers to keep the good times rolling. While Eddie Van Halen is, of course, the true star of this record, with his guitar virtuosity changing the appreciation of the instrument overnight, you can't go without recognising David Lee Roth's impressive chops as a front man. He wasn't the most technically gifted vocalist of Van Halen [Sammy Hagar had a much better voice imo], but Roth's charisma, energy and larger-than-life character add plenty of excitement to Eddie Van Halen's wizardry, and there's also the unsung heroes of the band in bassist Michael Anthony and drummer Alex Van Halen [Eddie's older brother], who manage to hold the blistering speed of the band together with finesse and fervour. This is where it all began for one of rock's most revolutionary and influential bands, and is the very reason so many guitarists went after speedy, tap-heavy guitar riffs in the 1980s: few matched Eddie's level though! Best songs: That legendary first half [Runnin' With the Devil through Jamie's Cryin']

It's so incredibly silly and is responsible for a lot of rock sins which would follow in the '80s, but that silliness is what gives it charm. I'm not a fan of David Lee Roth's vocals, but the instrumentation is all great. Not just Eddie, but everyone is on it. I think you have to be in the right mood for it, but it's a bit of silly fun.

Not really into hair metal, but this album has some moments that surprised me. Overall, best than expected.

The bad songs on this album are the ones that don't feature shredding wankery. This is why we listen to Van Halen, folks.

Amazing

Van Halen is so talented and a bit before their time, but the style is not my cup of tea

The double-tracked backup singers on this album is so cute. It's not rock n roll though, imo. Listening to Eruption, I was reminded of when Michael J Fox rips off a shred in Back to the Future and says "oh i guess you won't be ready for that for another 20 years". Well I'm still not ready for it 40 years later, unimpressed. 2.5/5 rounded down to 2. Somehow 35 min was too long. I did like On Fire, which funny enough is the lowest listened to song on the album on spotify

I went in with preconceived notions of what this album was about. And I wouldn't say those notions have changed. But the valence I associate with those notions (bad) may have changed (to good). At the very least, I'm willing to round up the 3.5 stars I think this deserves to a 4 star album.

Eddie was one of a kind. There’s no telling how many guitarists picked up the instrument because of this album alone. His tone and those tapping solos still sound unreal. The showmanship between him and David Lee Roth basically set a standard for all the 80s hair metal bands to follow. Favorite song: On Fire

Classic songs, really enjoyed the ride.

Good classic rock.

It's fine as far as these things go. I prefer Tom Petty if I'm going to listen to this branch of rock.

Not my scene

The album that inspired many guitar players to become unhinged. Also, the background vocals on this album are wildly overlooked.

Enjoyed it, EVH was an absolute giant

"I can't remember if this album has any hits." - partner, as the opening notes of Running With the Devil came on. It was in fact stacked with hits.

eddie's best work ruined by david's worst

meh, i like the songs i know and was annoyed to have to listen to this much van halen consecutively

The only bummer is "Hot for Teacher" isn't on here. Fun!!!!!

This feels cool. I only know a couple of songs, but it feels familiar and it’s easy to listen to. Ahhh, you really got me is a cover- I know the kinks version. I’m starting to wonder if I should listen to these on chronological order..:and also how much this is messing up my suggestion algorithm.

I cant believe this is considered must hear material. Its got good hooks and the guitar trix were """revolutionary""" (stuff that has been done better millions of times in metal albums that would never be put on this website cuz theyre too scary for redditors) but the lyrical content is all boring boomer jokes and cliches. I need a little more than that from my cock rock to get me hard. Like Hot For Teacher I like because its actually controversial and rocks you while it makes you question if its okay lol. This has ice cream man which is also weird and gross but has nothing else going for it. Again, HOW is this must-hear??

Not my thing. "Runnin' With The Devil" and "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" are alright.

High energy glam

Classic

Ive heard a lot of the songs before. some were very unexpected, but cool

Changed music

I really liked it! Running with the devil sets the scene so well, then eruption has a really nice sound throughout. Going through the album, it does get a bit samey, but there’s some other sounds on here that I enjoy. Ice cream man is a verified banger, and Jamie’s crying and feel your love other highlights. However, the skips retract from a 5 star status.

Bit too glam rock

A weird amount of Shoo Be Doo Wah for a good guitar album

This rocks.

Another nostalgic album for me

Well, yeah, it's clear why they're famous. Hair bands are really not my genre, but the works that launched it are no doubt excellent. Seems like a simpler time.

Well it's technically impressive but I don't really connect with the songs.

Classic album no complaints.

YES.

I must divulge that I believe Van Halen to be the most overrated band in rock history. But the boys really did come out firing with this debut album. “You Really Got Me”, “Runnin’ With the Devil” and “Jamie’s Cryin’” set the bar VERY high.

Van Halen

Why are the ratings on this so high? Tells you a lot about the kind of person who signs up to this website... This went nice and quick. Probably as good as Van Halen get's but they just aren't a very good band - sorry. The barbershop part was laugh out loud funny.

this is why i love this list. i thought i knew exactly what i was getting in to with van halen, shitty run of the mill hair metal band, but boy was i wrong. they are all that and have the audacity to scat as well! who knew

The inspiration for Wyld Stallyns make their debut. It's a weird thing - a bit like the Slayer album, the guitar solo stuff is often just plonked on top of whatever the rest of the song is doing. He's undoubtedly doing difficult things, but you don't need it slathered all over everything. Eruption is particularly egregious. It's just that annoying bit on stage at the end of a song when the guitarist wants to show off - but they put it on the album as a real song. Janie's Cryin' has him scale it back a bit, and it's better for it. But then there's nothing very interesting going on. I'll see what I think when I get the album where he discovered the synth. I did not enjoy this.

*1978. *Opens strong with Running with the Devil. *Jamie’s Crying is the only other song I know off this album, other than a cover of the Kink’s You Really Got Me. *Only 35 mins. Looooove that. RATING - 7/10

Screaming guitars, screaming vocals. Belter.

- Some wicked riffs off the bat, immediately Eddie Van Halen shows why he’s one of the greats. Middle of the album is kind of a miss for me but it picks back up in the back third. Ice Cream Man is such an interesting mix of styles and dare I say genres(?)/ eras, somewhat blending the rock styles from the earlier decades with the styles of the late 70s/ early 80s. Feel Your Love Tonight almost felt like if the Beach Boys made a harder song. Solid album but I don’t know how much I’ll be coming back to it. A 3.5 for me that I’m gonna round down.

Very valuable music

Their best album? Eddie sounds great.

Meh. Not for me

Love it. Rock and roll at it's purest

Obvious. Unbelievable album. Love evh guitar tone. Cool songs. Brought rock back.

100% pure fun

Enjoyable rock album

The mixing of the album doesn't sit with me. The drums sound like they're coming through a screen, the kick sounds like someone hitting a speaker cone, the bass is only hinted, and the guitar is heavily reverbed and overly panned (I understand it's the idea is to bring VH's playing to the front, but it's a bit heavy handed, especially in a continuous listen to the whole album on heaphones). The songs themselves don't feel anything special to me, just generic hard rock with more shredding than usual, with the exception of Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love which is a song I'll want to relisten to, and Runnin' with the Devil a distant second (it has a great starting riff but that's about it). IMO this album sounds exactly like what it is: A debut album of a band that's better at playing than writing, and packaged in unfortunate mixing. I think VH got better later in their career in songwriting. This one leaves me wanting.

Such a classic sound, both clean and dirty. Quite a few deep cuts I've missed!

It's pretty dated, cheesy, and over-the-top, but still a lot of fun. Eruption alone makes this album worth listening to.

I have a very sentimental attachment to this album. I feel like parts of it are cheesy, but it’s mostly perfect dumb fun.

This kinda sucked ass, I really hate cock rock and this was a slightly better execution of it so it's spared of a 1, but still didn't like it. Unfortunately, I'm also really behind on this list, and I can tell this won't be my last Van Halen album. I'm not mad listening to this, but I'd probably leave a bar if this was playing on the Touch Tunes.

The problem with selling out is that future generations cannot enjoy your creations as art. When I hear any song from this album, I do not hear music. I hear car commercials. I hear movie trailers. I hear needle drops used to the point of cliche. Corporations have used these tracks to invoke feelings in consumers for so long and so often that there is nothing left in the well. I've never intentionally listened to this album. I have never put on a single van halen song willingly. Yet I listened to this album today, and with disdain I knew every single track. Which is a shame, because i can faintly hear how this could be an exciting album; It would blow my socks off in 1978. But today it's nothing but banal backing tracks, with each measure printed on a hundred dollar bill.

Came up for our gym session and the first song is runnin' with the devil which felt appropriate as we struggled through a return to running.

Hair metal \,,/

Mad and maddening guitar solos, reminiscent of every American frat movie. Pointless unless you need it to tune your air guitar.

LEGEN wait for it DARY

Kind of cool. Nice stuff here. For me it jumps around just a little too much. 'you really got me' feels like a novelty cover which takes the mood away from hard rock into 60s dance pop. Then the mood jumps around a little more between anthemic stadium type rock, hard rick/metal feel, poppy stuff, blues boogie.. It just never seems to settle somewhere and fill out that mood? I thought the guitar style would bug me but it's kind of awesome. In the past I would have criticised it for serving the guitarists ego above serving the soul of the music.. But I found myself getting behind it - kind of like listening to a technical rapper. Hope there's more van Halen as I expect I will might like a later record more.

Loud, fun and energetic. I don't think, particularly, that this album is so revolutionary as most people say. Also, Van Halen II is better in terms of songwriting.

Banger. Crazy guitar riffs. A short but succinct overview of Van Halen imo.

Excellent album. All the VH ones are great

classic dad rock. not a fan

missing the smell of cigarettes in my dads car

I mean what can I really dislike about this album? Too much rock? Too much sexual innuendo? Ya it's not perfect but it doesn't get much better than this.

eh just not for me, don't even really enjoy the songs I know.

Very strong first half. Eddie's guitar simply off the scale, so satisfying to listen to. I found the songs trailed off a bit in quality in the second half but still a good overall listening experience.

Super classic with attitude and a bunch of good songs

Just super duper cool and love the tone of everything. Definitely more of a 4.5 than a 4.

Way better than 1984.

Despite never thinking of Van Halen as a group worth exploring, I went in open minded and can honestly say I was blown away. This album is full of personality, swagger, and is hard hitting.

My very first album buy! Still one of my favourites.

Surprised I liked it

Dont mind a bit of van halen

Well, that was the first Van Halen album.

3.5/5

Hell Yeah. The hits on the album are definitely the shining stars here, but you're likely not disappointed by the other songs on the album. I think the other songs actually end up establishing a pretty high floor so that hits to then really be great. I think it speaks volumes about what you think about your band if you're putting a guitar solo (in the most literal sense) as the SECOND track on your DEBUT album. What's really incredible is that it works out perfectly and is one of the best songs on the album. Favorite Song(s): Eruption, You Really Got Me, Jamie's Cryin', Ice Cream Man

A sound that seems really unique and different at the time, more modern and energized. The timbre of Eddie is something, clean and dirt at the same time, i like it. The composition for me don´t seems so great as i wished, despite Atomic Punk and Runnin with the devil. The dirtness is catchy btw.

Ain’t talking bout love…ain’t talking bout dub (Apollo 440). Love this, very rock n roll and short n sweet.

Not a genre I generally listen to or an album I have heard before. This was surprisingly enjoyable, mainly because of the incredible guitar playing. The song I knew was "Ain't Talking Bout Love" which is so ahead of its time and still sounds incredible, and the instrumental showpiece of Eruption is jaw dropping. I could do without Lee Roth but in general his vocals serve a purpose and its Eddie Van Halen who is very much centre stage.

- van halen ei oo jumpia lukuunottomatta etukäteen hirveen tuttu - levyn alku on aivan dymanttia - pikkasen ehkä tippuu iskevyys loppua kohden mutta hyvä meno jatkuu kyllä, esim jamies cryin toimii - solid rock levy, kuuntelisin uudestaankin

Pure rock and roll, this band knows what they’re doing. From the drums and vocals to the bass and lead guitar, no time is wasted or moment spent waiting. High energy and powerful every step of the way. They were truly a wonder to listen to!

This album basically created the entire sound of 80s rock. This led to a bunch of terrible bands, but I get why so many teenagers decided to start terrible bands off this album. Pop metal perfection. Best song: Jamie’s Cryin’

5/5

Three absolute classics, and the rest are just fine.

I liked listening to this the whole way through instead of individual songs. The album starred really strong, but I don't feel like it finished that way.

How did i get so many albums behind.

Favorite Track: Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love

It’s impossible to deny the influence of this record, but hearing it now, it feels more like a historical document than something I’d actually want to revisit often. Eddie Van Halen’s guitar work is undeniably impressive, and “Eruption” still sounds like someone discovering a new language, but the rest of the album leans a bit too heavy on macho swagger and glam-rock posturing for my taste. There’s energy in spades, sure, but it often feels more showy than soulful. Tracks like “Runnin’ with the Devil” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love” have their moments, and the production gives everything a raw, bar-room immediacy that works in small doses. But David Lee Roth’s vocals, all grins and wails, tip the whole thing into cartoon territory after a while. It’s fun in bursts, but it doesn’t hold up as a full album listen unless you’re really in the mood for that over-the-top 70s rock bravado. You can see why it blew people away at the time: the technical brilliance, the attitude, the sheer confidence. But it just doesn’t land the same way now. Van Halen is loud, flashy, and full of riffs, but it’s also a bit one-note. It’s the kind of album you respect more than you love.

I knew Runnin’ With the Devil and You Really Got Me, but I obviously like The Kinks better. I also felt like I had heard a couple of the other songs before. I liked it.

Generic Dad Rock

Sheer sonic perfection!! Come on......our intro to the genius of Eddie Van Halen!! And you would be hard pressed to find a more enigmatic front man than David Lee Roth in his heyday. You know your head exploded the first time you heard Eruption.....and rightfully so. RAWR!!!

Virtuoso, fast, heavy, but lacking depth. This is great when you are a teen and want to take the world by storm. Now near my 50th this sounds boring as sh*t

Good stuff! Much better than I thought. I learned something new today.

cock rock without toxic masculinity. cocaine fueled meedly meedly guitar shredding solos. satisfying. would listen again

This is a classic album, even though for me 1984 is always the first Van Halen album I think of. It's a good time, and I don't mind it at all. And holy crap that logo...I can almost smell the iron-on t-shirt at the mall. But it sure is cheesy and over-polished, and maybe that's a good reason for punk kids from the 80s to reject this music. 50 years later, this holds up surprisingly well, but realistically I probably won't be revisiting this any time soon. I cannot even imagine what it was like to be a member of Van Halen in 1978. DLR is basically waving his dick around on the album cover.

No one ever expected great art from Van Halen, and nor should they. This is utterly brainless cock rock, led by goofball clown of a frontman and the wankiest guitar player in rock history. But David Lee Roth is a charming himbo, and Eddie Van Halen was undeniably talented. It all works when put together, and even if it gets tiresome, it's all over in 35 minutes.

Some very good songs and guitar work though some filler tracks

sick

It’s quite the opening three tracks - WE ARE VAN HALEN, killer guitar solo, then a cheeky cover of a classic. That’s one way to start a debut album! I feel like I’m getting a mullet perm just listening to this… … and then ‘Ain’t talking about love’ 😮‍💨 stop it Eddy! Yeh, this is 🔥 Drops off in the second half though. Nice breakdown for ‘Little Dreamer’ and ‘Ice Cream Man’ which helps balance things a bit. First half so solid, second half less so. So probably just squeezes a 4

All timer. The best 4 song intro to an album, solid rock all the way thru

Top to bottom great rock album

Love this album! Just raw and loose!

So much raw energy on this debut album.

Banger after banger. Unbelievable

Great!

6/10

LOVE. IT. Matt Bellamy uses Eddie Van Halen's guitar techniques, and that makes sense why I love this. Plus the vocal range.

I got my.....pencil.... "Running with the Devil" is the first track on my 666th album of this project, which seems fitting. But upon further inspection, Van Halen is about as demonic as the guy who used to hang out by the smokers' area in high school with his acoustic guitar trying to get us to join his youth group. It's faux rebellion for the future cops of the world (and I know a lot of cops that LOVE Van Halen). Still, David Lee Roth is an entertaining vocal monkey, I liked the bass player that looks like a pro wrestler and the drumming is top notch. I know Eddie is a guitar legend, but I really fucking hate guitar noodling, and his tone sucks. A mixed bag overall.

JUMP! c

Hard rocking maybe but hard work generally. No idea why they felt the need to cover You Really Got Me.

Almost comic rock but the inventors of this type of 🔥 guitar

Priem

Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The more rock n roll leaning songs were actually quite alright. Generally enjoyable, very much of its time, although the long solos and over the top musical aesthetic are hardly my thing.

It was okay.

Exhibit A why this subgenre of music has faded. Does not hold up today against other classic rock songs and albums from the 70’s despite the guitar exploits and occasional vocal highlights.

2/5

Pretty good

Virtuoso, yes. Tight, yes. But it is telling that 'songwise' the best track by a lot is a cover (not talking about this ice cream song)

A load of guff. To have a wank fest solo as the 2nd track sets the tone for me. His singer voice has a nasty sneer to it. A terrible Kinks cover and the ice cream song is cringe. I was going to score it 2 - but have talked myself into a 1.

Eddie Van Halen can play the guitar really well. That's about it from an album substance point of view. Maybe because this is a retrospective listen and I'm influenced by all 80s metal that came after, but it all sounds formulaic and lacking any tune, just some chorus wailing harmony and heavy guitars. All a bit boring.

You really got me cover is soo good FUCK I bet shiv spanks it to Eruption while watching clips of roommates arguing with one another

VH at their best!

I really like VH…straddled the pop heavy metal line better than anyone. Roth is is a great front man and Eddie is a true virtuoso. Some great songs on this album.

Yes, he was a great guitar player. No, I still can't forgive the Kinks cover. Meh

As high as I’m gonna rank hair metal. A little annoying and want to punch David Lee Roth every time I hear him but Eddie’s guitar is so good and it is a good amount of fun..

Good stuff

cabilla

Boy! I wish I hadn’t written these guys off as “Stoner music“ in the seventh grade. Of course, they rock so hard! And Eddie Van Halen‘s guitar work, while now strangely sounding like a parody of itself, at the time must’ve just blown people‘s minds. they are incredibly skilled and very fun to listen to.

great album

Nice

Great introduction to Van Halen. Excited to explore what else they have to offer. Classic rock FTW!!

David Lee Roth brings plenty of swagger and charisma, but his performance feels a bit generic for such a landmark debut. The real magic comes from Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, whose dazzling work on 𝘌𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 and the sharp solos scattered across the record completely reshaped rock guitar playing. Yet beyond those moments of brilliance, the album sometimes relies more on attitude than depth.

Happy 70's!

The crime of inspiring hair metal aside, this album was a nuclear bomb dropped on classic rock and roll—a unique blend of prog, metal, punk, and pop with that family sense of swing and Diamond Dave slathered on top

Banger

I wanted to hate this album. Van Halen and David Lee Roth are/were prima facie what was uncool about popular music and what the alternative movement was going against. However, this is actually really good. For all of David Lee Roth's horniness he is still a great rock Singer. Eddie's pop guitar playing means that the songs are good and catchy. I would have never listened to this album without the list and I am glad that I did.

Classic and enduring rock

Dad rock. Great cover of You Really Got me. Some crazy guitars. A powerful debut. But a mid listening experience for me.

I don't really like Van Halen, but their debut is still better than what they did later in the 80s - commercialised hair metal with all the posing. This is still a 70s album but I can already hear what was to come later in the 80s. Sure, they are technically good but at the same time it's not the kind of pure heavy metal I enjoy.

The first of many great VH albums!

10/10

I just don't like this kind of hair metal shit, sorry

Veey cool. Enjoyed this a lot 4/5

Much better album than I expected really set the stage for 80s heavy metal bands

Epic debut that changed the trajectory of music and electric guitar.

Best VH front to back. (3.5)

This was ridiculous, cocky, awesome, goofy fun. I like that they don't take themselves seriously for a second. This is how you do it without that off-putting hipster irony a lot of 2000s bands employed.

This is a tough one but I am going to round up. If only these guys came out a decade earlier or later… but as it stands, the 80’s cheese holds them back for me.

Listenable, despite including an absolute murder of The Kinks on the album.

This is one of my favorite rock albums of all time, and I'm thankful for 1984—the album and the biggest year in my musical upbringing—which introduced me to Van Halen. I wasn't old enough, or musically mature enough, to appreciate the first Van Halen album, which was given to me but stowed away in my dresser for years. I surely missed out on the genius of Eddie Van Halen and wild-man antics of David Lee Roth, but I'm glad to make up for lost time every time I listen, and this is one I'll listen to over and over.

Наконец-то я понял для себя прикол Ван Халенов. И ведь правда, как же он играл... КАК он играл, этот белый патлатый брат!

So apparently 80s hair metal peaked in, erm, 1978. Nearly took a star off for the out-of-place Ice Cream Man, but that would be harsh.

The Good: Eruption, babay! The Bad: All wannabee guitarists who tried playing Eruption… The Ugly: Yet again another album named after the band/artist… Fuck me. 1978, should have been disco balls and roll-skates, not this wizardry. That, really, is what’s most amazing about this album. Listening to a young DLR, flashing his feathers, EVH mesmerizing us all with this insane sound, and MA and AVH just being tighter than virgin… what a blast this must have been to have seen live during those days. I was going to rate this album a 4*… but I can’t… it is a must hear, and hopefully enjoy, for all!

Decent 7.5/10

82/1089 not bad but also not particularly inspiring or groundbreaking for me either. i enjoyed my time with it enough but don’t need to go back to it 47/100

I could totally get behind this, pretty epic.

Obviously the standout here is EVH. Eruption alone makes it worth the price of entry. Inconsistent album in terms of quality but the energy is, and when it's good it's great. Fav track: Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love

Not my style of heavy metal but some classics on this album

Album 27/1001 Eddie's insane guitar skills add depth and artistry to what could otherwise be considered just a collection of fun but superficial hard rock songs. Also, these guys were clearly ahead of their time, as the fact that this album was NOT produced in the 80s is genuinely shocking. Favourite song: Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love 🗣💖🚫 Honourable mention: Eruption🌋 Runnin' with the Devil 🏃‍♂️😈

Im not a Van Halen fan but theres some good rock songs here. Will never like Eurption tbh.

I thought I was going to like this album as I love a bit of 80s rock but, maybe I just wasn't in the right mood as I just didn't gel with it. Sorry! Hate to say it, the only bit I like (I didn't make it all the way through) was the opening riff of Ain't Talkin' Bout Love and that's because it's samples on Apollo 440's Ain't Talkin' Bout Dub, which is a cracking piece of music.

Eddie's guitar, Dave's screams, and a Barber-Shop Quartet (I'm the One)!!

Classic

Iconic album, huge hits, and an undeniably massive impact on the history of rock and metal. Among the psychedelic rock of the '70-ties this album stands out as something completely different and as a harbinger of things to come Standouts Eruption You Really Got Me ... Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love 5/5

Best Van Halen there is. Rocking out on a Saturday night or a Sunday morning.

Another that's not for me, but I can appreciate what the artist is doing. Sorry, mom!

Van Halen or Van Hagar…the eternal debate Don’t really care for either of them. The sleazy cock rock of the 80s just sounds dated and lame…even with the amazing guitar work Still better than KISS. Not my thing, but I did like ain’t talking bout love. High point of the album for me

I have already heard an album by Van Halen, 1984. A second album from them on this list is redundtant. This might be slightly better than 1984. Certainly it was less outdated. 1984 came out the same year as This is Spinal Tap, which was, or should have been, the death knell for so many of these bands.

This was a very nostalgic album for me. A lot of these songs were favorites of my mom, and I must have listened to this album with her at some point.

Fun as hell hard rock with the best guitarist ever despited some dated stylistic choices.

Tosi Van Halen. I like it. Kunnon meininki ja oikeaa soittoa.

JEAAAAH! Hyvä meininki, mielenkiintosta, mutta ei mitenkään liian eriskummallista. Aika luonnollista kuunnella jos nytt niin voi sanoa

I really don't like David Lee Roth's vocals, it's like I can smell him through my headphones. Sometimes I feel like I can tell what kind of person someone is by just hearing them talk, this is one of those times. I don't know anything about him and I feel like he's a sexpest already after 1 song. Eruption is like that scene in Back to the Future where marty hooks up his guitar to speakers in Doc's lab. I know BTTF came a 7 years afterwards but it's the same kind of energy. Did the cover of You Really Got Me really need the moaning?? and did I'm the One need the 'shoobie-doo-wah'?? I don't understand how anyone can rate this album 4.5, let alone 5, with songs like Ice Cream Man on the release either.

Kind of wild that this came out in the mid(ish) 70's. Definitely ahead of its time. Enjoyed more than I expected. 3.5/5

rock! rock! rock!

i can acknowledge that this is doing what it's setting out to do pretty well. it's just not really my kind of music! at least it's high-energy and short.

all right, this is an iconic album that deserves to be here. and a great debut to boot! this is the distilled essence of van halen, and they knew exactly what sound and energy they were going for from the start, and all in about half an hour. i knew you really got me and ain't talkin' 'bout love going into this and had heard the other big tracks a few times. eruption is probably the wildest thing on here and i assume nothing else sounded remotely close to it in 1978. rad. favorites: runnin' with the devil, eruption, you really got me, ain't talkin' 'bout love (too many apostrophes man), jamie's cryin', atomic punk, ice cream man

Track 2: ok this is a front laden album. They played all their best cards. Track 8: Man how were they able to put so many bangers on one album? Track 11: crazy. No single filler Cannot be less than 5 stars. I especially like the brain dead lyrics:) Clever fun rock without intellectual aspirations.

Fun

Not my thing… I can appreciate Eddie Van Halen’s virtuosity and innovation with the guitar, Eruption is definitely my favorite track off this, but this album was the prototype for all hair/bro metal to come afterwards and I can’t forgive it for that. They do it better than most, but hair metal is a genre that takes everything I love about rock music and does the opposite. Most of this just comes off corny to me. 3/10 Favorite tracks- “Runninv with the Devil” “Eruption”

Should be better than it is. Drummer and guitarist are clearly skilled but are held back by lacklustre vocal melodies

First album I ever got on vinyl & an absolute classic.

I love this album. EVH was a true pioneer and changed the way the guitar is played today. Just a really great album.

An okay album, I liked Eruption and You Really Gote the most.

I mean, come on. One of the most iconic albums of all time. It's the debut record and of the 11 tracks, there are 5 that anyone over the age of 35 will recognize in the first few seconds. I will forever be a David Lee Roth defender as far as Van Halen. He *is* rock-n-roll. Ain't Talkin Bout Love is one of the best riffs ever! Classic 80s and the songwriting is really top notch too. Honestly the B-side of this album is still really tight. I have never really listened to this album with great speakers or headphones before and I have to say the bass is really present in the mix and sounds fantastic. Michael Anthony is killing it front to back on this record, and since VH is really a 3-piece with vocals he has a lot of space to fill and does a great job of it.

Sounds kinda like you’d expect, classic rock with amazing solos

so fun - 1st 6 tracks fantastic, the rest is good, but Feel your Love sounds just like Panama.

Crazy debut with tons of energy. Sounds like a bunch of high school guys full of testosterone with their hair on fire. Eddie is coming out the gate like a comet.

This reminds me of my friend's little brother. He was always wide-eyed and ready to get into some mischief. But not in a bad way...a fun exploring kinda way.

Five stars for the utterly revolutionary gutter work and the overall good vibes. A band that was nothing if not ready to bring, attend or underscore the party. I am tempted to remove a star for unleashing a decade where technical proficiency overtook songwriting and expression. But then one listen to Eruption with fresh ears reminded me - there was only one EVH.

Dad rock with a hint of Black Sabbath on some of the songs. Not for me but impressive guitar work. 5/10

banger after banger

Legendary riff after legendary riff. Great hard rock album, and Eddie's masterwork on the guitar is pretty obvious from the start of their career. Not much variation on the tracklist, but why mess with a good thing? fav tracks: Runnin' With The Devil, Eruption/You Really Got Me, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love

★★★★★★

Fun, but it's dumb fun. Album never really relinquishes it's pace and is over before you know it. Lacking some substance, but it is still pretty good. 3/5 Might listen again

Van Halen slamming banger after banger, this whole album.

How does a band make a banger like Running with the Devil & then just fumble every other song. Not a fan of the sound of VH guitar but I recognize the talent.

A real rock n roll album. My favorite part is the satanic song having very nice, melodic guitars

"Little Dreamer" my favourite!

Vaaarios clássicos.

Lame

Was going to give this a 4, for the obvious unreal guitar skills, fun vocals and lyrics. It’s cool to have a rock band with amazing guitarists and a vocalist who can TRULY sing. But then the “doo-woo shoo be do wop” part came on in I’m the One and I was like holy shit these guys would have been stars even in the 40s/50s. Unreal.

Classic. Marrying twiddly innovation with great tunes and a sense of fun. One of my faves.

Didn’t like it as much as I thought I would

Weer zo'n album dat je denkt... is het soms een best-of? Nee, het is het debuutalbum van de gebroeders Van Halen, die in 35 minuten en 34 seconden even laten horen hoe het moet. De een na de andere vingervlugge rockklassieker vlamt uit de speakers, met een levenslust waarmee je de meest krakkemikkige bejaarde nog laat opspringen. Wat wordt hier toch heerlijk muziek gemaakt.

Jouw album beginnen met "Runnin' with the Devil" en op dezelfde kant "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" opnemen. Dan kan het al niet meer mis. Nog even de cover "You Really Got Me" eraan toevoegen. Niet mijn persoonlijke favoriet, maar toch ook onmiskenbaar een grote hit. En dan past er ook nog wel even een gitaarsolo ertussen, die het album, de band en het genre in anderhalve minuut weet te definiëren. En misschien doe ik de solo daarmee nog te kort, want ook hele andere genres, zoals de synth-muziek van de jaren erna lijken deze gitaar vaak te willen nabootsen.

80s glamhardrock, voordat de 80s uberhaupt waren begonnen. En net als het latere album uit 1984 is het van begin tot eind genieten. Als ze nog zouden optreden, dan wil je eigenlijk naar een optreden, al is het alleen maar om de gitarist aan het werk te zien. Jammer dat ik ze nooit live heb gezien, want ondanks dat je het allemaal wel kent, had ik voor deze snoblijst nog nooit uit mezelf Van Halen opgezet. En dat is dus volledig onterecht. Dank u lieve snobs, voor het herontdekken van dit soort platen.

I just need to get this out the way - I accept that EVH is a talented and innovative guitarist. I know he is good, I am just not a fan of his style. So to the album - it’s a tight, rocking set. I don’t know what I thought it would be like, but it’s not as hard as I thought, and not as hair metal as I thought. I quite enjoyed it. My issue is EVH’s tendency to showboat, which isn’t easy with DLR in the band! Eruption is a perfect example of one guy showing us all how terribly talented he is, and these are the tricks he can pull off. The tracks on here (bar Eruption) are great. It is a band working as a unit, and the consistency of the album is incredible. It’s fun without being tacky, and it’s rocking without being heavy. Good stuff.

Great guitar sound, some legendary riffs and solos

Classic 70s rock

Lively

It's fine. One of the most generic albums I've listened to. All the songs are the same. But given the time it was released I guess it sounded more novel then.

5 estrelas. Eruption é um divisor de águas da guitarra!

done

Love it! - 4.5/5

CLASSIC 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Meh. Om one hand, there are a few great riffs, especially Aint Talking bout Love. You can't deny the influence EVH had on modern guitar, and you can see why Roth was so popular. On the other hand, most of the tracks just don't do anything for me. Do we really need another cover of the Kinks? Barely. BARELY scrapes a 3

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: Atomic Punk, Little Dreamer I basically didn't need to listen to this album; As it turns out, I've heard virtually every track through osmosis over the radio at various points in my 36 years on this Earth. That being said, hearing it all together in a cohesive format was great. The guitar is great. The singing is great. The off-beat parts where they break into a shooby-doo-wap is fantastic. Of all of the similar genre bands I've heard so far from the List, this album by Van Halen is near the top of my personal favorites for the rock and roll genre.

My dad loves Van Halen so I have to hate it. It’s not hard to hate. The screechy vocals and cheesy lyrics are enough to put me off. Eddie Van Halen is the only reason to listen.

It is what it is, and it is not for me.

No better or worse than my (low) expectations

Amazing debut. This must have blown minds when it came out. I like how succinct it is too. 35 minutes, all killer no filler.

Moro moro :D Omilta listoilta löytyy Van Halenin biisejä aika paljon. Mahtava meno biiseillä ja tykkään kovasti.

Pelkkää timanttia alusta loppuun, ei mitään pahaa sanottavaa.

Täähä oli hyvä lätty, kyllä tää vanhempi heavy metal iskee ihan mukavasti. Muutama biisi oli taas tuttuja, mutta suurin osa albumista kuuntelematon. Eruption ansaitsee eritysmaininnan yhdestä kitaramusiikin legendaarisimmista sooloista. Vahvan nelosen albym, mutta ihan vitoseen ei riitä.

Tää on yks niistä isoista legendaarisista bändeistä, mitä en oo ikinä kuunnellut. Toki Jumpin tietää kaikki. Ja ei kyllä iskenyt yhtään. Ei todellakaan huonoa ja nään miksi niin iso bändi. Mutta ei ole yhtään sellaista tyyliä, mitä jaksaisin kahta kappaletta enempää kuunnella. Hyvää kitarointia, mutta aika tylsää laulua. You Really Got Me sai jalan vispaamaan ja sekin oli coveri. Ice Cream Man oli kivan erillainen kappale ja vähän herätteli albumia eloon, mutta oli harmiksi ihan lopussa jo.

Ihan kivaa rokkia, mutta ei kyllä resonoinut sen enempää. Kepittelystä tulee kyllä lisäpisteet, hulvatonta meininkia kitaroinnissa.

Tiukkaa, hyvin soljuavaa soitantaa! Aiemmin tuntemattomat biisitkin raikasi ihan mukavasti.

Kovaa kepitystä ja ylipäänsä rokkenroullia. Näytti suuntaa julkaisunsa jälkeen alkaneen vuosikymmenen rokeille. Levyltä nousee muutama biisi ylitse muiden ja osa jää vähän täytebiisitasolle. Tätä orkesteria ei ole tullut herkässä iässä kuunneltua enempää, joten ei tästä yllätysbonusfiiliksiä saa. Ansaitsee paikkansa ja statuksensa, joten posipetterin puolelle jää.

Ei vain iske, ei biisit, ei lauluääni/tyyli. Eruption on aikanaan ollut jotain ennenkuulumatonta ja jättänyt syystäkin jälkensä historiaan, mutta ei sekään omaan korvaan puhtaasti musiikin kuuntelun ilosta HYVÄLTÄ kuulosta. Kuitenkin ihan ammattitasoisesti tuotettu albumi eikä kuuntelu sattunut, joten pyöristetään omassa päässä 1,5/5 -> 2/5

Erinomainen levykokonaisuus. Soundia on kopioitu lähes loputtomasti, mutta silti kappaleet eivät kuulosta kuluneilta.

Siis onhan tämä nyt mukiin menevää rokkia, ei siinä. Mutta ei mun mieleni kyllä räjähtänyt, on jotenki vähän turta ku moni bändi tuolta ajalta kuulostaa aika samalta xD Solid kolmonen

Aika raastavaa kuunneltavaa. Siis oikeasti ihan hemmetin raskasta. Inhoan David Lee Rothin ääntä, ja kaikkia noita öyh-ääntelyitä mitä se päästelee tuollain esi-cheekmaisesti. Siihen päälle todella rasittavan kuuloista (toki varmasti sinällään ihan taitavaa) Eddie Van Halenin kitarointia, ja vähän tuommoista Mötley Crüen (en voi sietää) kuuloista meininkiä, niin voin sanoa että 35 minuuttia tuntui 35 tunnilta. Napalm Deathistakin löytyi yksi positiivinen asia (alkoi naurattamaan), niin koitetaan väkisin kaivaa tästäkin. Apollo 440 teki alkuperäistä paljon paremman version tuosta Ain't talkin bout Lovesta, että kai siinä oli ihan hyvä aihio biisiin. Mutta valitettavasti sekin hautautuu kaiken paskan alle. Jos voisi, niin antaisin nolla tähteä. Niin hirveä raiskaus Kinksin klassikosta tuo You Really Got Me on. Ja varsinkin levyn jälkimmäinen puolisko on täynnä toinen toistaan kamalampia biisejä. Vihasin jokaista hetkeä joka tämän levyn parissa meni. Toki vika on varmaan vaan minussa, kai tämä ihan yleisesti ottaen laajaa arvostusta nauttii. En vaan itse ole koskaan diggaillut tämmöisestä musasta.

Van Halen kind of reminds me of Red Hot Chili Peppers in that VH was a successful rock act with an amazingly talented guitarist and a bad vocalist. Without some context, this album doesn’t hit as hard. Eddie, as far as I know, revolutionized the electric guitar. He reengineered his instrument and opened an entirely new world of possibilities for generations to come. There’s a good reason that replicas of EVH’s “frankenstrat” are still widely available today. Eddie’s lead lines are iconic, electrifying, timeless. But I find myself cringing at the vocals and the chord progressions, in general. But I will always, always crank up ‘Eruption’ til the day I die.

A handful of catchy licks but not much going on here

8/10

My mates brother, who was a guitarist, played this to us not long after it came out and no one could believe it! I still think it’s their best album today. Fab cover of You Really Got Me and Ice Cream Man is just nuts! Love it.

Cool, influential, and simply a classic. I'm glad I heard it once, but I won't put it on again.

Much better

I love EVH as a guitarist but somehow don’t really love Van Halen as a band. Still a good listen though.

I didn't realize it finished

Das Debut von Van Halen - rock pur. 4/5

Absolutely not.

Mega forever!!!!!

Rules

I feel like I should enjoy this one more than I do, and I'm not sure what it is that's turning me off it. I think it might be the overall sound of it, like the production or the guitar tone or something. Because the riffs and solos are good, and his vocals are fine. Maybe I'll grow into it, I don't know.

RIP Eddie. One of the most talented guitarists ever. The David Lee Roth fronted Van Halen will always be the true Van Halen in my book. One of those bands that when they come on you know exactly who they are. They rock out and make it fun. Definitely the bridge between '70's rock and the power ballad '80's. They sit in a unique nexus of hard rock, metal, and hair rock. This music fits so many situations: parties, sports, just driving around. Anything that involves fun.

It is what it is

Top cock rock. There used to be a club in Manchester that was wicked, it was underground and just behind arndale (annoying that I can’t remember the name of it) that was an old rock strip club which absolutely had to have sounded like this. Van Halen doing what they do.

Kinda goofy in places but some great guitar pieces in it

From the Wikipedia: Initial critical reception was negative Those critics heard Eruption, a song that is widely considered one of the best guitar solos of all time, and said "Meh"? Who the hell are these critics?