Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Great album. I wish there was more of it.
Great album, lots of good songs.
Incredible guitar playing by Eddie. Classic classic rock album
This is the perfect example of an album that I normally would’ve written off because of a feeling I wouldn’t like it. David Lee Roth always bothered me and the flamboyance brought on by this era once seemed cringey. I’m sure in many ways, it still is. But I also now revere this era and beyond with nostalgia. Also, it legitimately fucking rocks. Going to a show would’ve been so much fun.
Easy listening. Talented band but a shame most of them were assholes.
It's David Lee Roth Van Halen - it slaps
Banger of a debut, rocks hard and Eddie changed the way people play guitar
оо, я открыла альбом и в предвкушении, ииххаа первый альбом, который я слушала и второй исполнитель после металики, которого я как-то более-менее знаю). А ну ладно, еще Игги Поп Но послушав целиком, не могу сказать, что в восторге. Поставлю 4-ку за ностальгию, некоторое время мне прямо очень нравилась вся эта глэм рок волна. Более поздний ванхален раскрывается больше
This is very late 70s and very Van Halen.
Another 1 I missed, apart from 'Runnin' with the Devil', which I didn't really like when it 1st came out. Good album for a stadium type gig. A little formulaic but great fun. I could imagine doing a U.S. road trip with this as part of the soundtrack.
This album doesn't quite reach the 5 star threshold for me, but it is not without its merits. It loses points for lyrics, but gains points for the absolute wizardry from Eddie and his guitar. 4/5
Was expecting more metal and less church, but good
The 10 years of Van Halen peace have unfortunately ended, and there is no longer peace in the Middle East. It appears we need them now more than ever! RIP Eddie. Auspiciously-timed South Park reference aside - this band is made up of supremely talented musicians, possessing a revolutionary guitarist, and an undeniably present vocalist in David. Along with the rest of the band these guys rewrote rock and merged fast placing and power chords back into the glam rock of the era. This album has some absolute jams on it, of which ain’t talkin bout love steals the show as it expands upon Eddie and David’s ability to create a massive anthem. The rest of the album is filled with iconic rock songs and just a tad bit of filler. It’s definitely a regular oration in my catalogue.
Childhood!
Enjoyed! I never knew that Van Halen's first single off this album was a cover of the Kinks "You really got me".
Je ne connaissais que de nom sans jamais avoir vraiment écouté. C’est un album culte. Les guitares sont sanglantes, Eddie Van Halen est un dieu. Un peu sloppy par endroit mais très cool dans l’ensemble.
The guitar on this album really was something. It's very interesting to hear how often their sonic influence appears in various flavors of rock through the next couple decades. Eruption and Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love are as great as ever, and I also liked On Fire. That said, many of the other tracks didn't feel that inspiring—some great guitar playing for sure, but a lot of them blended together, and I don't always love David Lee Roth's vocals. So, a bit hard to rate overall: the best moments on the album are top tier, but my overall experience was a 7/10.
Wat een leuk album! Heel erg over the top, maar het plezier en de virtuositeit spatten ervan af. 2e helft was iets minder.
Rock&Roll classic, fun, never old
There it is. The first album of this journey. Also the first album of what is arguably one of the most legendary rock bands of all time. And oh boy, what a debut. For this being their first album, it's spectacular! The sound immediately captured me in its fantastic energy. Eddie's guitar work will always stand the test of time. And do I even need to mention Eruption? Easily one of the greatest rock instrumentals of all time. It’s not a perfect album or anything, but it is very fun and good. I'm kind of lucky to get music that appeals to me like this as my first on the journey. I am now very excited to see what else this generator brings me. 4/5.
Album was very good 70s rock. Great guitar playing especially. Some songs blended together a bit and were a little forgettable, especially in the middle, but overall a great experience.
A lot of fun!!
Very good album that has a weaker B side.
first listen what a blistering force of energy
Classic
I prefer 1984 to this one but it's still pretty damn good.
Rock hits, short and full of ENERGYYYY
Good times were had, ear bleeding riffs were played.
Very good for a first album
Pure unadulterated young man sex energy that delves into schitzo crack addict territory sometimes. In a good way though “We’re getting funny in the back of my car I’m sorry honey if i took it just a little too far” - “Feel You’re Love Tonight” 😲
Amazing stuff. Really defines this era of rock. The first 6 tracks will blow your doors off!
4. Awesome rock and roll piece, full of energy. With hints of early rnr.
Really enjoyed it, very creative solos, great use of distortion and feedback to create an album that dances between rock and roll and hard rock. Great effort. (80%)
8/10
Have previously heard this several times. Revolutionary for its guitar work but also for the specific kind of lifestyle it embodied: surfer dudes playing happy heavy metal/loud rock (and doing it well). In that way they're a bit of a latter-day Beach Boys. And that is a compliment. It just feels uninhibited and energetic. Like what electric guitar could sound like pushed to its limits and played with mastery. Hearing Eruption for the first time in 1978 must have been face melting (I was only 6 years old).
Quintessential Van Halen. You get a little bit of each band member in this one - but of course heavy with Eddie establishing himself as a guitar god, and Dave putting himself in the rare air of frontmen like Mick and Roger. Love that they took the chance to put Ice Cream Man on here with all these heavy guitar driven bangers.
Not bad. Solid classic, not always my style.
The platonic ideal of an album cover. And the content lives up to it! I think I've always enjoyed VH so much because I get the feeling they are in it more for the lols than the satan worship, if you know what I mean.
Hadn't listened since high school, had way more fun than I expected! I actually heard this version before the Kinks version of You Really Got Me. Eruption is still great, especially knowing that people didnt know how he did it for a while. This almost got to 5 from me, especially in contrast to Toys in the Attic.
Probably their best album. EVH is just a fantastic guitarist as demonstrated by Eruption. Good hard rock with surprisingly strong harmony vocals.
More Van Halen! Just had 1984 a couple days ago. This one is going to get 4 stars as well. Great stuff!
Pre-listening thoughts: I know very little about Van Halen (I know, sue me!). I know Eddie Van Halen is one of the most revered guitar players of all time, and for that alone, I am excited to dive into this record. Of course, I know Jump, but I also know that is an outlier in their sound/discography. I expect this to be pretty heavy rock, which can definitely be a hit or miss for me. We shall see! Post/during listening thoughts: This is the kind of music that just fills your ears in a good way. Very sonically balanced. I have definitely heard Runnin' with the Devil before (thanks dad rock radio stations). God damn ok NOW I understand why everyone kisses the ground that Eddie Van Halen walks on. This shit is crazy bro. Eruption is literally just him lol. THE TRANSITION INTO YOU REALLY GOT ME!! Oh I know this song too! The screaming is not overpowering (like it's not the whole song) so it's like an accent or a seasoning instead of the main course in their songs. LOVE the baba shoobedowa section in I'm the One. Giving very Tarzan animals at the camp. I think I understand Van Halen's general sound after this record. Love the change of sound for Ice Cream Man!! So cute and effectively breaks up the album. I did not dislike any songs on this album - really impressed overall! 8/10 EDDIE VAN HALEN DIED??!!! how did i miss that. my god rip to a legend. Top tracks: Eruption, You Really Got Me, I'm the One, Feel Your Love Tonight, Ice Cream Man
This album really starts off with a bang, and take a steep dive after "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love"
the only reason people compare GVF’s first record to this band so much is because of the guitar
Try again?
As much as I've enjoyed Van Halen for nearly all of my life, I've never listened to all of their debut album. I adore Eddie's guitar playing, and I can't imagine what it must have been like for people to experience him for the first time when this album came out. His talent is on full display on this album, showcasing his skills at fast-as-lightning strumming and tapping on "Eruption" to the loud and heavy distortion of "Jamie's Crying." The rest of the band is at a peak level too; Alex's drum playing is tight but doesn't take away from Eddie, and Michael Anthony's bass compliments his brother perfectly. And who could forget David Lee Roth? Fully embracing his usual cheesy bravado, David Lee Roth cements himself as one of the most memorable frontmen in rock, hitting his peak on the poorly aged "Ice Cream Man." The songs here are all uniquely memorable, but the guitar playing upstages all other aspects of the album. Granted, I can't think of another band that seemed to be having this much fun playing hard rock. This was a great album, and its influence would be felt throughout the eighties and beyond.
I lost all my notes again! I had such a good thing about shredding and how Eddie Van Halen's guitar styling was foundational to thrash metal. It was so good, I wish you could read it. Oh well. Great A side, good B side.
Over the years, I've played in a lot of rock-music configurations, and with few exceptions, the guitarists have all been devoted Van Halen fans. I was just having a conversation after a recent gig about this band, and the look the guitarist gave me when I admitted that VH was never really a favorite of mine was hilarious — he couldn't believe it. From the get-go, there was something about this band that didn't speak to me. They've got lots of elements that turn me on, but this particular brew was always adjacent to my taste. I'd put it on David Lee Roth, but even with Sammy Hagar, who I will list among the greats in rock vocals, I barely paid attention. So, my takeaway ... these guys sound remarkably confident and fully-formed for this being a debut. They had certainly solidified an identity by the time they came to record this. The harmonies... I'm envious. I would love to be in a band that could sing like this. Really excellent. And Eddie on guitar, there are still moments when this sounds impossible. "Jamie's Crying" was always one of my faves from the band — I mean, whatever my feelings about VH, I know a lot of their material — and "Running With The Devil" is one of their best. And while I'm scoring this a 4 because this really does stand alone, I would never put this on for my own listening pleasure. Whatever it is, it ain't for me. But you've got to hand it to them, this album was a game-changer.
yeah, this is a good time. i was wondering why i like this but not the later pop-metal bands like Def Leppard, Motley Crüe, Bon Jovi, etc. I guess it's that these guys don't take themselves seriously? also, i love the harmonies and the goofiness of it all. plus, they're badass musicians. Having listened to Louie Prima a few months back, that album puts a lot of this album into context, given that DLR would later cover Just a Gigolo. Or maybe I'm imagining it. But I don't think so. There's some old-school showmanship and song structure at the heart of these songs. Also, our recent listen to Yeah Yeah Yeahs and how Karen O is such an overpowering lead singer... the same is true with Mr Roth, whose personality just leaps off the vinyl. But in this case, he's got a band who can keep up with him. So this was a fun thrill ride. Got my day off to a nice start. (And other than the hits, I'd never listened to it before, so that was cool.) P.S. I've never loved Eruption. There's cool stuff going on there, but musically, it's a disjointed mess. A fun mess, I guess; but I digress.
Excellent - strong start with "Running with the Devil" then excellent choons like "Ain't Talking Bout Love". I very much enjoyed it, although it wasn't quite banger after banger, so only four stars.
Screw the Johns
Love it hate it, this is one of the most influential guitar albums in history. Banger after banger. Generations and generations of guitarists memorizing songs and techniques. Honestly 8 thinks that rock music would not be the same today without this album.
great listen. i didn’t know eruption like wasn’t an actual song though
A few classics which I remember like running with the Devil, eruption and You really got me. I'm also surprised and very impressed how much talent all of them display on their first album. But Eddie is stealing the show on every song with that super sonic squealy guitar.
Loved the energy on this, lots of bangers
"Runnin' with the Devil" & "You Ready Got Me" are great tracks, the rest of the album is pretty solid
I'd say this is more of a 3.5 than a 4 for me but this proto-butt rock is still a really fun jam.
very cool
I used to listen to this album a lott but I hadn't listen to it in years now. I kinda grew out of it so I don't think I will listen to it again for a while but it still deserves a good rating. 8/10
Listened to the greatest hits, but were suprisingly good
This album defined hard rock for the 80s. Fantastic guitar and I really prefer David Lee Roth's vocals too.
Garenje i prženje na najjače. Eddie bog na gitari. Tekstovi osrednji. 1. 4 2. 4 3. 4 4. 5 5. 3 6. 3 7. 4 8. 4 9. 3 10. 3 11. 3 3.64
4.25
The probably deserves a 5 for Eddie's guitar chops and David Lee Roth being the ultimate rock front man (also ripe for parody, like Dr. Rockso in Metalocalypse) but I just don't enjoy it on that level. Yeah, there're some great songs and moments but then some songs left me a little unsatisfied. A solid 4 for sure though.
Some bangers but lots of widdling
Love the inclusion of this album! There are many examples on this project from the late 60s and early 70s, during the birth of heavy metal, from the likes of Black Sabbath and others. By the late 70s, many other bands were beginning to run with that baton and take metal to that next level, and Van Halen is one such example. Van Halen's self-titled is another one of those albums where it is always amazing and surprising to remember that this is a debut album. Not only are a good handful of Van Halen's greatest hits on this album, but their musicianship is already top notch here. Amazing instrumentation is on display all across this album, but someone need look no further than the incredibly impressive guitar solo "Eruption", which changed the entire landscape and set a new standard for guitar solos. Probably somewhere above a 3.5 for me, and definitely deserving of a boost to 4!
Wasn’t really a big fan of Van Halen, but a lot of classics I forgot about on this one.
I don’t care whether you like glam metal or not, if you try to tell me you don’t like any songs by Van Halen then I’ll call you a dirty little liar. They’re so catchy, and the music is fun! That said, I’m unsure of if I’ve actually listened to an album in full before, so let’s see if the deep cuts are as good as the hits! Songs I already knew: Runnin’ With The Devil, Eruption, You Really Got Me, Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love, Jamie’s Cryin’ Favourites: Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love, Jamie’s Cryin’, Ice Cream Man First of all, looking at the track list, they really love apostrophes! That was exhausting to type out on my phone! The music is very good here - it’s catchy glam rock/metal with plenty of guitar showmanship. I didn’t really enjoy On Fire as Diamond Dave’s wailing got a bit much even for me there, but overall this is a very good piece of music. Easy to recommend.
4.5
This is everything that rock and roll was about in the 70s
day 12. it’s getting a solid 4/5 from me, it would be a 5 but I think listening to a full album of them just wore me out a bit because of how fast paced everything is! I guess I wish there were more ebbs and flows. Also I’ve always found Jamie’s Cryin’ to be a painfully annoying song. it’s an undisputed classic though. Faves: Eruption+You Really Got Me, Ain’t Talking ‘Bout Love. unexpected fave out of the ones I didn’t know: Ice Cream Man
One of the actual hard rock albums from the 70’s I like everything from. Great instruments from everybody. A lot of naughty lyrics. 😉 Running With the Devil, You Really Got Me, I’m the One, Jamie’s Cryin’ and Ice Cream Man are top 5.
runnin with the devil, aint talkin bout love, im the one, atomic punk, ice cream man. great guitars.
Catchy songs, good harmonies and great guitars. FS: Eruption, I'm the One
Some bangers giving the core of this, and the rest are decent as well
Eruption More than just eruption
Very good
One of the best albums Van Halen ever put out. Running With the Devil remains one of the best jams ever.
Van Halen has definitely earned a certain status among the rock genre, the kind where one does not have to like them in order to acknowledge their contributions to music and rock in particular. Van Halen managed a push from the late 70s that ended up becoming a defining sound for stadium rock for over a decade. This self-titled debut is probably as good as it gets for any band in any genre, to hold up for as long as it does through so many evolutions of trends and approaches to rock. Guitar work here makes it so difficult to believe that they would get even better at it years and years into their careers. This is a great rock album, decent writing, great composition, and with a happy/playful disposition that encourages the listener to have some fun. Work on the car, go work out, throw a pool party, etc.
I've always disliked Van Halen without really giving them a shot. Listened to this album front to back and loved it.
I can’t even imagine being in the studio when Eddie laid into Eruption. I think I would have needed to change my pants. 4.5/5
Fun and knowingly catchy.
Top 3: 1) Ain’t Talkin’ ‘bout Love 2) Little Dreamer 3) Ice Cream Man Bottom 3: 1) Atomic Punk 2) You Really Got Me 3) Jamie's Cryin'
Highlight: Runnin' With The Devil
I didn't anticipate Van Halen would be so /playful/; definitely going to get a relisten sometime.
rip eddie
So I gotta say, I much much much preferred this record to 1984. In fact, without even looking at the date this came out I was thinking this came AFTER that record just considering how much more "refined" it sounds. It really sounds like they were much more original here. I mean 1984 had "Jump" which I would say is a daring step out of the classic sound of 80s rock but the rest of that album seemed a little too safe to me. "Van Halen" on the other hand just has so many tracks that I truly felt were hits. In addition to the obvious ones ("Runnin' With the Devil", "Eruption", "You Really Got Me", "Jamie's Cryin'") we also have tracks like "I'm the One" where we get some very percussive bass highlights and some adventurous shoobie doo wops. Toward the end we have "Ice Cream Man" which blends David Lee Roth playing a little blues with a little shred (had a lot of fun with this one). I honestly really liked this album! I like David Lee Roth's voice. I always laugh a little inside whenever he does his "AahhhHHhHH!" shrieks. EVH was obviously in a league of his own with the shred. "Eruption" is just an epic showcasing of his raw talent. The dude just understood how to rock. Like Gretzky with the puck, it seemed like Eddie always knew where the riff was going next. Absolutely virtuosic performances throughout "Van Halen" and for that, I'm thinking I'll (surprisingly to me) throw a 4 at this one.
Extremely impressive skill displayed in this album. A collection of van halen hits, especially "eruption". 4/5
The fact this is just the first Van Halen album is mindblowing. The guitar in every song is amazing. I didn't expect it to be this good for a debut album, but I'm impressed. Fave track(s): Eruption/You Really Got Me, I'm The One
La verdad me sorprendió, claramente había escuchado algunas, pero me terminó gustando bastante el álbum, la voz la rompe pero todo en conjunto te mantiene entretenido sin hacerse denso o repetitivo durante todo el tracklist
eu gosto da guitarra do eddie van halen, mas de resto a banda não é nada de mais, é tudo em volta da guitarra. eu acho engraçado como as pessoas apontam os solos do eddie como o ponto forte dele, mas ele é otimo no ritmo tambem, eu acho que o forte dele é como ele mantem um ritmo dançante mesmo enfiando licks doidos no meio, isso é o foda dele.
i never realy like metal, but i guess it was ok. i liked most of the songs. 7/10
Fav Tracks: Runnin with the devil, Eruption/You really got me
This album already started out strong, but got even better as it went along. I had it in my mind that this would be a cheesy rock album, as many '70s to '80s records are, but that was not the case at all. It's classic rock that goes hard, sounds "elegant" (if that makes any sense at all), and holds up to this day. Standouts are Jamie's Cryin', Feel Your Love Tonight, and Little Dreamer.
Hell yeah! Amo este estilo, me desespero de glam, solo quiero tener el pelo batido y maquillarme como si no hubiera un mañana.
This one was a lot better than I thought it would be and I really enjoyed it. The songs were pretty well written and it was pretty good fun. Of course as a guitar player I had heard some of this before (especially eruption) but the whole album is pretty good. Not too sure what happened between this and "Jump" but it's a travesty. Personal Enjoyment - 8.5 Songwriting - 8.5 Lyrics - 6 Originality - 9 Production Value - 10 Artwork - 9 Overall - 8.2
Guitar Master! That is what set Van Halen's performances apart. It always sounds amazing and demands you to pay attention. Lyrics and vocals never pulled me in the way the guitar solos did. For sure he was one of the best.
Efficace, entraînant, les sons de guitare distinctifs et les petits accents blues, je m'amuse vraiment
Awesome debut album. Looking at it from a 1978 perspective it put the rock back into rock and roll.
Great album. Not my first time listening to it. This isn’t something I’d listen to on a regular basis but you can’t deny how fun it is.
Really good. To be alive when this came out would have been sick
Would listen again if the mood struck. Not sure what that mood would be.
I found myself really enjoying this one to be honest and I didn’t think I was so that’s cool. 4/5
The album that saved rock and roll! This was a birthday gift for my 15th birthday and I've been a fan ever since.
I forget how good these guys are.
Up there with Boston as one of the best debut in regards to its sound. It’s tight, and flashy. Perfect for arenas and gets down to business right out of the gate. 4
4 Ohhhh Van Halen. Sure, they’re cock rock, but I have to admit they really do have a number of great tunes, and a lot of them are on this album. In fact, I might go as far to say that this is their best album, so it always kinda puzzled me why my dad never owned this one on CD but had everything else, including Van Hagar stuff (I was going to mention here he would probably say like Fair Warning or something is a better album than this one, but after a phone call I changed my mind). But come on, this is everything that makes Van Halen iconic. You can feel David Lee Roth’s energy all over, to the point where you can practically visualize him doing that jump splits thing numerous times throughout listening. To me, that alone cements him as one of the best rock frontmen in history and why Sammy Hagar could never compare. And of course you have to talk about Eddie’s guitar playing - I don’t think many musicians could put out just a guitar solo as a standalone track on an album and have it be as iconic and as successful as Eruption. It complements the album so well it almost feels weird to not have it segue into You Really Got Me, which, as a Kinks fan myself, I have to admit is better than the original. Runnin’ with the Devil is also an all-time great opener, and I can never not visualize the opening shot of Freak and Geeks when listening, when the song cues as it pans to the burnouts smoking under the bleachers. Between the iconic guitar riffs, harmonies, solos, and David’s shrieking, I would probably go as far to say it’s the band’s best song. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love is of course iconic as well, though I always thought the line “You’re semi-good looking” line is kind of funny with how brutally specific it is. Finally, I’ll give a shoutout to Ice Cream Man - though a tad silly, it’s one of the band’s most underrated tunes. Great debut, great album, and great production - the guitar tone on this album is insane. While Van Halen isn’t an artist I typically seek out, when they do find their way to my Spotify, it’s always a good time.
Love
Wield the axe. Smell the spandex.
Unexpected middle part!
I already knew some of the songs, I just didn't know it's them hahaha.
ooo the first track is a bit rad. ahhh nice. Some famous tracks that I recognize far more than I expected. Okay there is actually some cool stuff here and some decent diversity. It's not exactly my style but doesn't overcrowd too much. its a solid 3.6/5
Ok, liked the guitars
Cali fun times! The template for every 80's poodle rocker
Great rock album. Really a classic of its genre.
A classic from my childhood.
4.5
4 Classic, good listening
Hell yeah. Iconic guitar record. Eddie’s shredding is obviously the highlight but he’s also an underrated rhythm player.
This is such a great record. The songs are so fun and obviously the guitar is incredible. This album is the definition of rock n roll.
4*
I was pleasantly surprised by this album. I’d never heard a full Van Halen album and I liked what I heard
Like most hair metal, it's mostly just soft, fluffy rock with a few shreds thrown in for form's sake. But it sure is fun. I wanted to give it a lower score based on the sheer cheese factor but... but it's just fun, isn't it?
Iconic! This album has a lot of classics on it. Definitely cemented Van Galen’s sound. A couple meh tracks on here keep it from being incredible, but Eruption is almost enough to warrant a 5/5 on its own.
This is not my favourite van halen album, although eruption holds a special place in my heart. The guitars sound so Van Halen it sometimes starts to sound a bit like a parody. I love it
Tight, clean, energetic. Nice album :)
No weak tracks on it. It is a legendary near-flawless ode to rock heaven. "Nobody rules these streets at night but me!" Eddie Van Halen comes in strong on this initial album and showed us who the god of rock was. Technical talents-- near classical music level-- had never been applied to heavy rock before this. We had never heard this level of control and peacocking despite earlier heavy bands like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Molly Hatchet. Overwhelmingly, the VH sound was positive, but with a ton of hot dogging and sexual innuendo, and probable misogyny. I remember parents hated it and it was controversial. The boomers could not hang with VH. We had this album on vinyl, and I know I had it on tape later. It was an absolute staple. As a boy, 'Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love' was a top favorite, particularly for the "I've been to the edge..." segue. Still love it. Alex Van Halen was also a technical master and this is suddenly evident on 'Show Your Love'. Imagine, the very first album arrives and Alex and Eddie are rocking this hard this consistently on nearly every track. As for the elephant in the room, David Lee Roth is awesome. His funny light-hearted stage strutting in tights will never be forgotten. His voice was powerful and very California and like nothing we had ever heard. He was in it for fun and it showed and it made hard rock fun for us too!
Van Halen is synonymous with the hard rock sound of the 1980s. But their self-titled debut preceded that decade by two years, I have now discovered, and thus listening to and learning about this album has helped me to realize just how instrumental Van Halen was at shaping that aforementioned sound. The hard rock/heavy metal-lite/hair metal of the 80s is a guilty pleasure for many, myself included. But for early DLR Van Halen, it has come to my attention that it should be moved to the pleasure (guilt-free) category.
New turntable in older brother's basement bedroom is one's own personal creation myth for this record, which sounded just huge and powerful then. Seemed impressive that the four dudes on the cover could generate such undeniable energy and work so tightly and loudly. It still sounds big and breakthrough-ish today, even though that quality is both a feature and bug. On the one hand, Van Halen was always clear about who it was and showed real commitment to having a big time; they were not only in synch with, but the actual full manifestation of, a shameless sort of late '70s rock and roll ethos that wanted mainly to say fuck you to disco and Laurel Canyon and anything remotely soft, as well as to promote the virtues of rock's screaming and squalling over punk's sneering and slashing. On the other hand, the insistence on that very bigness (e.g., going big/HUGE on every single hook and lick) does prove a bit exhausting in the end (which is why "Ice Cream Man" at first makes for a welcome respite, before succumbing to yet more expansive and lurid shredding, and thus ultimately sounds better than it actually is). The band's mode and antics also forced one to choose, definitively bifurcating VH and new wave fans. Leaving the music aside, one always preferred the company of the latter group, for their understatement and aesthetic considerations, and considered the brashness and volume (not to mention bad haircuts and bad fashion) of the former to be a major strike against embracing VH musically, of declaring oneself a fan. They were never going to be more than a guilty and secret pleasure, a band one loved to profess hating more than one actually did (despite the 8th-grade reckoning of the debut). On the plus side, there's a likable crispness to the sound and of course no doubting Eddie's otherworldly chops (though one finds them unnecessarily showoffy). DLR was the perfect front man for this lot, unapologetically buffoonish though he was (and largely remains), and pretty effective (certainly not great) as a vocalist. Speaking of, one'd forgotten the many vocal harmonies, though they tend toward barbershop-quartet-y in a few places (rather off-brand those flourishes seem). "Jamie's Crying" is the ideal response to "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow." They took an all-time hook, "You Really Got Me" and blew it out, taking a more-is-more approach that stopped just short of being too much and exceeds the original. The same could be said of "Eruption," fine, but, again masturbatory and showoffy, but thankfully brief. This type of restraint that would've served them well in the future (say by disbanding with some dignity intact rather than reforming with Sammy Hagar, for fuck's sake). "Running with the Devil" is an all-time opener, what with the thumping, booming bass. "Aint Talking About Love," "Feel Your Love" and "Little Dreamer" all have their merits. VH did what they did as well as anyone at the time, but one felt about them in 8th grade as one felt about Kiss in 6th grade and their musical development didn't much keep up with one's own. This list is right to include their debut and one has enjoyed reconsidering them but they were rightly a guilty pleasure then and remain roughly the middle-age equivalent now; one still loves to point out their gaudiness and silliness, and not entirely out of envy for the freedom (and perhaps even courage) they must have felt to be so insistently brash and loud and unapologetic. It's safe to say no one cares anymore which isn't hugely different than where this band ended up.
A cracker! Iconic solos from EVH.
Twee keer hetzelfde hahah
Running With the Devil - Easy 5/5 Eruption - A fun guitar solo 5/5 You Really Got Me - 5/5 Classic Cover Ain't Talkin' Bout Love - 5/5 Nice song I'm The One - 4/5 Not bad Jamie's Cryin' - 5/5 Love the Chorus Atomic Punk - 3/5 Eh not my favorite Feel Your Love Tonight - 4/5 Pretty Good Little Dreamer - 4/5 Not bad Ice Cream Man - 3/5 Decent On Fire - 3/5 Ok Overall, 4/5. Some hits, some decent songs, and some semi-duds.
Quite good
I never realised that all the Van Halen songs I liked are all from one album. And their debut nonetheless. If your 4 opening songs on your debut album are the classic rocking 'Running With The Devil,' guitar virtuous 'Eruption,' super cover 'You Really Got Me' and one of the best riffs of all time 'Ain't Talking About Love,' than how can this be any less than 4*?
This is probably a watershed album, taking all that came before with 70s metal and glam and combining it with amazing technical skill, yet focusing on a "front man" rather than a singer. Stunned at how many of their classics came from this album, and it's all over in 30 minutes too.
Wonderfully stupid.
Hard rock classic, definitely a beautiful record.
The legendary first album from the band started by the brothers whose last name lends the band's identity is a whole blast of fun throughout its thirty-five minutes, unrelenting in its debt to the hard rock that fuses together soon to be touchstones and honorable covers of already classic standards. No wonder why the David Lee Roth era is fondly beloved by fans and it all starts here. Favorites: Runnin' With the Devil, You Really Got Me, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, I'm the One, Jamie's Cryin', Feel Your Love Tonight, Ice Cream Man.
Van Halen’s debut is probably their best. Eddie Van Halen’s guitar playing is inspired and the songwriting is decent. The vocals are crisp and the harmonies are well developed. I used to listen to 80s hard rock and metal quite a bit. Though this style of music is not my favorite, it always comes off as over-produced, I enjoyed this album.
This is a fun rock album, the guitar work of Eddie Van Halen is unreal. Would have been something special to see live back in the early 80’s. Had never listened to this album start to finish but really enjoyed it. Fav tracks Eruption, I’m the One, Atomic Punk. 4.5/5
RIP EVH
I haven't listened to almost any albums that are important to these genres because it's not my thing, so I didn't expect to like this. This was a really fun listen though. There's definitely some iconic songs on here. The guitar really shines through. It's crazy to think that this came out in 1978. My favourite songs were I'm the One and Little Dreamer.
eventhough its released in 78 it feels like one of the core 80s rock albums, eruption is even more impressive in live versions
Sounds like my childhood in the 80's!
It's good. I do think it deserves a bit more than a 3
Classic hair-metal album with some fantastic tunes.
Very cool
Listen to while driving a military vehicle
Very much enjoyed this
Listened before: No Listens: No Enjoyed: Yes
Van Halen rules
Fun album
Total cheeseball nonsense but it’s short and it slaps
This is classic rock and is good if nothing amazing
Classic. 4/5
Starts off strong, not amazing at the end. Great guitar solos in second song.
not bad!
The album has a lot of hits. The first half of the album is great. The second half of the album drops off a bit. The album is not quite a 5 so I will round down.
Didn't hate it as much as other American Hair Rock.
"If Eddie Van Halen was a gunslinger there would be a lot of dead copycats". I grew up with this record because of my dad. My big takeaway from this record (beyond the guitar pyrotechnics) is they had a big DIY/almost punk aesthetic to how they approached creating music; and above all else - this is a fun record Sounds like: ...Van Halen, rock and blues suped up to the next level Standout tracks: "Running", "Eruption", "You Really Got Me", "Jamie's Cryin'" essential Van Halen "Ain't Talkin'", "I'm the One", "Atomic Punk" are excellent B-sides "Ice Cream Man" a fun break from the rest of the album
Almost a five star just for having Eruption. Really appreciated the short 35 minute runtime, no filler at all.
4.2
Once again Van Halen woos me with awesome guitar licks despite awful lyrical content.
Pretty rocking album from Van Halen. I have only ever really listened to their radio hits, but I was pleasantly surprised with this whole album.
surprisingly good, my favourite track was 'Ice Cream Man"
Gave this a listen to on my morning run and will definitely be saving it for future runs. Being really only familiar with their hit song "Jump", it was cool to listen to their early works. The cover of the Kinks "You Really Got Me" was a surprise and also incredible guitar solo riff with the instrumental "Eruption".
First thought is, seriously? You're going to make me listen to Van Halen after spending yesterday with Sonic Youth? I guess it is the first album--their best--so I will go for it. Always respect a classic, trendsetter when you are able. I know these songs well, grew up with them. Eddie Van Halen is a master and genius. Love the guitar on the whole album. I think I could appreciate it more as an instrumental-only album. It's not just David Lee Roth, though I'm not really into him, and really never have been. It's the lyrics don't do it for me. Sounds funny to say for such iconic rock songs, but turn off the lyrics, and I could listen to this all day.
It's like being at a high-energy 80s party where everyone is sweaty and on uppers and the sexual tension is off the charts. This peaks at You Really Got Me and Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love. The sound becomes more playful than intense later in the tracklist; see Jamie's Cryin', Feel Your Love Tonight, and the rock n roll treat that is Ice Cream Man. Does this album make me want to headbang or groove? Yes.
Genre: Hard Rock 4/5 Van Halen's rip-snortin', ball-grabbin', guitar-squealin' self-titled debut album is a damn good rock album. One of the best-selling albums of all time, and featuring some of the genre's most popular singles, Van Halen started off their career with a mighty bang. From David Lee Roth's screams and shouts to Eddie Van Halen's shreds and guitar squeaks, which single-handedly birthed an entire generation of shred guitarists, Van Halen had a little of everything to offer in their debut offering, and it still sits as an icon of the times. The entire A Side is an absolute torrent of rock. From their tremendous hit single Runnin' with the Devil, to the shred-tastic introduction to Eddie Van Halen on Eruption, to their well-known and well-arranged cover of the Kinks' You Really Got Me, and all the way down. With boy band-style 3-part harmonies, love-themed lyrics, and big, beautiful, singalong choruses, the hard pop rock crossover sound was very succesful. The B Side isn't as much of a firebrand, but tracks like Jamie's Cryin' and Little Dreamer are there to keep it movin' and groovin'. Really great rock record, and one that will continue to stand the test of time. Love these guys.
Just a great rock album, with the standout hit being the cover of The Kink's 'You Really Got Me.' I don't think there was enough amazing material to push this to a five, but it was still consistently, extremely good. A great show put on by Van Halen as to what you could expect from them.
"Pitkän" tauon jälkeen levy josta on aidosti helppo tykätä. Soi hienosti edelleen ja varmasti edistyksellistä settiä omaan aikaansa.
Tiukka ja vaikka lyhyt, niin iso
Pretty fun album to listen to I’d say it still holds up pretty well
Great debut from Van Halen, I'm The One rocks! Catchy and groundbreaking guitar-playing.
This must have been unbelievable when it came out. No one was playing like Eddie, mixing hard rock, classical and jazz tones into one sound. And they wisely start the album off with something easy to comprehend like “Runnin’ with the Devil” before loading it with the crazy stuff. To fault it, the latter half has some filler, but at least it ends strong with “Ice Cream Man” and “On Fire”, even if this should have been a 10 track LP instead of 11. A-
Pretty good glam metal album. Some of the songs are definitely filler (Feel Your Love Tonight, On Fire, Little Dreamer, etc.) but it's hard to deny how cool Ain't Talking 'Bout Love, Eruption, or I'm The One are. Jamie's Cryin' is a bad and overrated song, and Running With the Devil is pretty lame in hindsight too. VH would go on to have much better albums, but this is a great debut.
this album fucking rules
Great guitar and bass. 1st half is great 2nd half is ok. Definitely an album to listen to but not a top one on my list.
Good stuff
Didn't really want to like it but it's pretty good.
Rock suave casi ochentero, con buenas guitarras y voz. Inconfundibles.
A classic rock album that is a ton of fun. Probably the true turning point in rock from classic rock bands to stadium rock. Their songs are high powered and leave a good impression. The album isn’t too long and provides some solid hits along with fantastic guitar work. 7.7/10
A great classic album. RIP EVH! "Eruption" is top 10 on the list of songs that made teenage boys want to play guitar. The cover of "You Really Got Me" is one of the best covers of that song. "Jamie's Cryin'" was also a great track. Overall I liked the album, but it is not my favorite Van Halen album I look forward to 1984.
Great album, pure rock
The first Van Halen album, containing classics like Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Runnin' with the Devil, and, of course, Eruption, which cemented Eddie Van Halen's status as hard rock's most virtuoso guitar shredder. While the rhythm section is no slouch either, Eddie and David Lee Roth are clearly the stars of the show, delivering what was to become Van Halen's trademark of extroverted hard rock with fratboy lyrics. The album keeps to this style throughout, which is very entertaining, yet maybe lacks a bit of variation. Still, this is one of the albums that really deserves to be on this list. 4/5
Although I'm not a fan of them, one thing I can always admire about Van Halen is their musical talent. Eddie is a great guitar player with solos and hard catchy riffs. The guitar tone throughout is electric. Alex is a neat drummer who provides enough to make interesting yet simple patterns. Mike Anthony is a good support vechicle for the band and plays when needed, and David Roth oozes charisma throughout. The songs themselves mostly great, but there is some notable filler. Would say my favourites were Ain't Talkin 'bout Love and Jamie's Cryin.
As much as I dislike glam rock, you can't deny their legacy
Cock rock at its finest!
Listened for the first time earlier this year and it was a 3. With that added familiarity, this time was a 4.
Enjoyed this way way more than I thought I would, especially on second listen At first the You Really Got Me cover shook me to my core and not in a good way, but now I think it's fun Little Dreamer and Atomic Punk are *chefs kiss* my faves Ice Cream Man is absolutely not what I was expecting from this album but I kind of love it lol its jokes
It's a classic, innit? Not all the tracks hold up but the guitars are still blindingly good.
What a run of opening songs. A great album that kinda sags in the middle. Best track: Runnin' with the Devil
Альбом очень бодрый и веселый (неподходящее слово, но тем не менее, легко было слушать). Хард-рок по душе, звучало хорошо.
Me gusto más de lo que esperaba. Conocía más canciones de lo que pensaba.
ROCK! WHITE GUYS! (I loved it.)
Rock and roll, baybeeee.
I mean, it's Van Halen--just good, solid rock
Easy 4 for me. Probably not a 5 but somewhere in between. So much groundbreaking stuff that holds up today.
This is really, really good. Wouldn't have been able to name any of the songs ahead of time, but definitely a couple that seemed familiar. Runnin' with the Devil, followed by the guitar solo in Eruption (which is enough to show that these guys are great with their guitars and love pushing them to the limit but not so long that it gets nauseatingly self-indulgent and overstays its welcome), and a rocky cover of the Kinks is an amazing way to start, and the quality stays high right the way through. Also seems pretty well put together, tracks flow nicely and it's nice and snappy, doesn't overstay its welcome. 4/5, will listen again, loved this.
Pretty damn fire. Might be peak hair metal (not saying much) 🤷
this album is ICONIC
not entirely my style but it still has some great songs on it. it's very energetic and fast and i really appreciate that. solid 4
This is my first time listening to Van Halen. Sure I've heard songs of theirs over the years, but I've never actively sought them out to listen to. My expectations were far exceeded since this didn't really sound like the Van Halen I've heard before, which I guess is the 80s version of the band. I loved the sound of Eddie's solos here and it didn't sound like the wankery that it would eventually become (which while technically impressive sounds very stale to me). This is an absolutely great album and one I will be revisiting. 4.5/5
The summer of 1979 was my first full summer of going to arena-sized rock concerts seeing bands like, Cheap Trick, Supertramp and Van Halen. This was an eye-opening and ear splitting experience that forever secured my love for live concerts. The sheer energy and captive stage presence of Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth was mind-melting, at the time and it set my standards pretty high of what a great rock concert should be. Though I can't say I'm still a band of Van Halen, I must admit their first album was very influential on so many levels and it is must be considered one of the great debut records of the 70's. The instrumental, Eruption introduced the world to the guitar wizardry of Eddie Van Halen and if you love guitar, this is essential. Listening to it now (loud), brings back a lot of happy memories, but I'm glad I expanded my music tastes after the first couple Van Halen albums because they became a shell of their former self and self-parody later in their long career. Still, this a must-hear!
Listened to on 2/28/22 4.5 Favorite song: little dreamer, ice cream man Classic with the most amazing guitar rifs
Multiple classic rock songs with Runnin with the Devil and Ain’t Talking Bout Love, an impressive display of guitar on Eruption, and a nice change of pace with the potential favorite of the album in Little Dreamer. It was packed with energy and fun to listen to.
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: You really got me, Aint talking about love, Jamie’s crying
not bad tbh
This is great fun. The precise point at which you can hear metal pivoting from the Sabbath era to the eighties. Of course down the line it would beget the horrific hair metal bands, but this is sharp, tight and both heavy and pop at the same time. Terrific. Can't forgive them for Jump though.
Dit is natuurlijk goud, zo lekker klassieke sound. Blijft goed :)
I prefer their later work.
Maybe hair metal wasn’t a mistake
Many familiar tunes. Up beat, easy going rock.
Some great classics, can't believe its my first time listening to this album
Van Halen is real cool, and this album is fucking jammed to brim with hits.
A rock classic.
Hair metal's not really my thing, but what a classic guitar record.
Fairly archetypical rock for the time, still holds up today
Great Band ! Like this music very much
Þetta var góð skemmtun. Eiginlega stórskrýtið að maður hafi aldrei hlustað almennilega á þetta skemmtilega rokk.
The best of this album IMO: - Runnin' with the Devil - I'm the One - Jamie's Cryin' - Little Dreamer - On Fire Talk about a fun album to listen to. I love the voices, the harmonies, the energy. 3.8/5
There aren't many bands who have ever announced their presence on a debut album the way Van Halen does on side A of this one.
Classic. How could anyone not like this?
I can recognize the quality of music, but it’s not really my jam. I wouldn’t be against having it on, but it’s not something I’d seek out actively
Not a single bad song on the record. I don't think I can give this a 5 yet, but I was really digging the sound here. Much better than my initial dive into Van Halen (1984).
Awesome sound and groove with iconic players.
This is so much more interesting than other popular rock bands from the time like Deep Purple or Black Sabbath, but sometimes enters the boring parts of a KISS album when the whole band is screaming in unison but without the glamour. Eddie Van Helens guitar is legendary for a reason though. It's crazy. A concrete 4. Pretty strong. "I'm The One" and "Ice Cream Man" slaps hard
8/10
A lot richer (musically) than they are often derided as being. Rock on brother
Love the Second song - guitar solo that just trips you out
- Great start. Running with the devil is iconic. - Amazing they could follow it up with a guitar solo for track 2 - You really got me sounds a bit pop - Ain't talking 'bout love is good. - Atomic punk reminds me of Rage Against The Machine - Really like the vibe of Little dreamer
This was *quite* good.
Jump!
Simply fantastic. No wonder no one wanted to rival them. (8/10) FT: I'm the One, Ice Cream Man, Eruption
Really a good debut album for the band. The songs are good but there is no flow for the album as a whole.
Oh shit this is good!
Stone cold classic. Only giving 4 instead of 5 as I need time in between listens to give it a sonic punch each time. Greatest electric guitar guru, 2nd only to Hendrix (sorry Stevie Ray, but Eddie added so much to the guitar vocabulary).
I didn’t think I would like this having listened to 5150 and OU812 in the past, however I was really impressed with it. Bluesy in places with just the right amount of EVH on the guitar it was one that I listened to a few times before deciding that early VH material is kinder on my ears that the latter.
Classic. Over the top. Love it.
Great rock album top to bottom, so much feel good stuff
Good one
Wasn't overly impressed but gave it a second listen and a couple of songs like "Little Dreamer" bumped it up from 3 to 4 stars.
Classic album. I can't say I enjoyed every single song, overall it was a great listen. The guitar riffs in my opinion really make this album great, they blew me away. Especially the guitar solo on Eruption.... that was insane in the best way. 4/5 stars.
Puro hard rock.
\m/
A bit too fiddly for a day to day listen but undeniable classics.
Lots of fun
I’m way past the point in my life where I’m all of a sudden going to get into Van Halen. I also feel like I’ve heard their songs so much just by being alive that I can’t really form an objective opinion on them. Of course Eddie Van Halen is an incredible guitar player. Of course David Lee Roth is ridiculous. Of course these songs are a lot of fun.
I never really liked Van Halen, I never saw them live and I never bought any of their records... except this one. Which is terrific. I soon tired of Eddie Van Halen's "new" fingering technique that earned him guitar god status, but I have never tired of the fine songs on this record. This is a secret I have kept from all of my friends for over 40 years, but there it is. Jamie's Cryin, Running With the Devil, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love and Little Dreamer are all first class melodies. The guitar playing does sound dated in 2021, and David Lee Roth has always been a first class assaholic, but the songs still stand up.
Not his best album but still great
oh baby, that makes me feel old
I really wanted to give this album 5 stars; it's that good. However, it's just a tiny-bit too campy to get a full 5 stars. The guitar riffs are amazing, and Eruption is my favorite guitar solo of all time. This is a solid debut album. 4.5/5.
Very few albums mix clear virtuosic playing and fun silly jams as well as Van Halen does on their debut.
Loved it. Ends very abrupltly though.
Solid, energetic album. Pure rock sound and lots of fun.
Eerste album van Van Halen. Klassieke rock met een aantal zeer sterke hits
Great album. spectacular guitar work
Classic rock but cooler Damn I love that fingering technique So does my girlfriend
Fantastic rock. Some really great riffs and outstanding guitar from Eddie.
While I am not the biggest classic rock n' roll guy there is no denying the absolute powerhouse that this album is. Still widely considered one of the greatest rock debut albums ever, and well, for good reason. There is a reason why half the album gets played on classic rock radio. The guitar tones and techniques have inspired and continue to inspire generations after. And when it comes down to it, the pure energy of the songs coupled with the talent on display make for nothing short of a classic you gotta respect. Might not be what I ever search out to listen to, but there is no denying its impact and the pure enjoyment most of these songs bring.
Classic. This record was so great to me as a teenager. Nobody played guitar like Eddie Van Halen. It holds up pretty well, I haven’t listened in a while, but I still love it, even though I hardly listen to VH anymore.
AMAZING cover art, i need that energy in the music. its their debut and its 35 min long, sweet. yup i'm going to like this. okay im not crazy about his voice but it could work. well its done, a bit of an abrupt ending?? i did like it though overall. lyrics are very basic stuff but its okay, only song i didnt care about is ice cream man.
pretty nice! i like
Nice.
Classic hard rock sound
Among revolutionary rock albums, Van Halen's debut often gets short shrift. But make no mistake, Van Halen is as monumental, as seismic as those records, but part of the reason it's never given the same due is that there's no pretension, nothing self-conscious about it. In the best sense, it is an artless record, in the sense that it doesn't seem contrived, but it's also a great work of art because it's an effortless, guileless expression of what the band is all about, and what it would continue to be over the years.
They could just retitle the album The Best of Van Halen
Most enjoyable
While the band had yet to peak, their debut perfectly captures everything Val Halen are about. It’s not contrived or pretentious it’s just a lot of fun. Van Halen really sounded unlike anything that came before it, and while it might be a bit more hit and miss than say 1984 is still an incredible rock album. Runnin with the Devil and Ain’t talkin bout Love are as good as anything the band produced and there probably wasnt an aspiring young guitarist alive that wouldn’t have sold their soul to be able to play Eruption.
Mejor de lo esperado - me quedo con las partes instrumentales y con Eruption
Great album and fun listen
Awesome. 4.3 R. I. P. EVH - 2020
their best album and one of my favorite hard rock albums of all time.
Face melters and screaming spandex. BT: Running With The Devil, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Jamie's Cryin'
4+. Not my style but about as good of a hard rock album as I can imagine
I'm not sure I liked it as much as some other 4s, but as far as hard rock goes it was great. Would definitely relisten in certain contexts
Pretty enjoyable, with a couple of songs with some good nostalgia. And of course I can't be too critical of my namesake
Very nice memories
Just good rock.
Short and sweet. Good vocal harmonies, interesting style change ups and of course that Van Halen Guitar
If you take away Eddie, the songs quickly become average. But as it is, it’s still one of the great rock albums.
great rock tunes. Val Halen crushed this record
amazing album. one of the best guitarist of all time
good album. all songs rocked
Bängeri Jag vet inte egentligen varför alla bara lyssnar på Panama eller Jump, här fanns så många rockbängerin som jag aldrig har hört
Great guitar solos and a bundle of classics 4.2
His voice is annoying as fuck and the guitar can be a bit masturbatory but you can’t deny this was a huge album. Full of hits and influence.
Classic. Probably the best Van Halen record.
I don't usually go for this sort of thing but I think it works really well. It's fun rock n roll. And Eddie Van Halen's guitar playing is ridiculous. Ice Cream Man is dumb though. I listened to it a bunch of times and it ended up growing on me. I kept wanting to hear it again. Surprised even myself.
Started really strong and ended just fine. 3 heavy hitters at the beginning were a slight shock as I didn't expect they were from Van Halen's debut album.
Révolutionnaire en terme de son à son époque.
I enjoyed the album. Not too long and all the songs had really happy undertones... changed my perception of Van Halen
One of the best hard rock a-side openings? Excellent music for cleaning and not too long either
Didn't realize this was a debut album. Iconic 80s rock album.
Still a banger
This is just a solid fucking rock album. So much energy, lots of raw power in the songs. 4/5
Ein sehr bekannter Name und hält was er verspricht. Coole Riffs und gute Melodien! Werde ich noch einmal hören und ich bin gespannt, was die anderen Platten hergeben. Gleichzeitig hat mich schon lange kein Album so enttäuscht. „Eruption“ schürt so große Erwartungen. „Ain‘t Talkin 'Bout Love“ macht in der ersten halben Minute richtig Stimmung, nur um im Rest des Liedes nicht weiter drauf einzugehen und es lediglich mit daran erinnernden Schnipseln vor den Ohren baumeln zu lassen. In dann diese ewigen Strophen, die mit Gesang dominiert werden. Wer will denn das hören? Ein deutliches Gefühl von ungenutztem Potential. Ich hoffe in späteren Alben ist Van Halen etwas dominanter im Auftritt. Die Reaktion der Fans hat ihn doch sicherlich darin bestätigt. Dabei ist der Rest der Band keinesfalls schlecht. Bisschen mehr Altruismus, bitte.
Decent, little disappointing though because if it wasn't for the guitar play, this would be a 3 star album
I was expecting to this be super cheesy, but it's incredibly catchy.
Fun, lots of energy