In 1978, a new band called "Van Halen" took the stage with their self titled debut album that re-invented the way guitar would play role in albums and songs. While Led Zeppelin's second album as well as Jimi's few were first to really emphasize on the guitar, Van Halen's debut was the defenitive collection of guitar driven rock and roll. As you listen to a lot of these songs, Eddie Van Halen's guitar is the most present and noticeable instrument...well, besides David Lee Roth's high pitched and energetic vocals. Michael Anthony is a fine bassist and can lay down some great bass lines and Alex is a consistent drummer, but nothin' more than that, atleast on this album. But back to the main focus of this album and that's the guitar. Listen to some of these songs and the techniques Eddie uses, I find them to be awe inspiring, especially "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" where he finds a way to create an amazing riff without even tuning his guitar! (Or so that's what i've heard and that's what it sounds like) Anyways, time for the song descriptions and whatever you've been waitin' for!
Band Members:
David Lee Roth (Vocals)
Eddie Van Halen (Guitars)
Michael Anthony (Bass)
Alex Van Halen (Drums)
1. Runnin' With the Devil (3:36)
With an incoming train like sound, the album begins and you're soon hit by an incredible riff that you'll come to know throughout the song. They're some interesting lyrics that seem to be 'bout livin' a risky life and causin' trouble, well...it fits the hard rockin' riff and goes along well with Roth's whiny yet top notch vocals. This is a Van Halen classic and a great tune to start the album for sure.
5/5
2. Eruption (1:42)
Now Eddie wastes no time showing off his skill in this solo, yeah that's right....this song is nothin' more than a guitar solo, but damn its a great one too. Besides a few drum beats at the beginning, the spotlight is totally on Eddie who uses many techniques to lay out one sweet solo that remains a true Van Halen classic. From the tapping to the shredding what more from a solo could you ask for? Seriously, this is one of the best solos ever and without a damned doubt.
5/5
3. You Really Got Me (2:37)
Right off the bat comes a well done cover of a classic "Kinks" song. Usually this is played combined with "Eruption" on the radio so if you hear "Eruption" you should expect to hear this song following it. Anyways, the vocals are done to perfection as well as the guitar riff and there's even a great little solo as well. The lyrics are catchy too and really this is one of the best covers you'll ever hear if I have to say anything more.
5/5
4. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love (3:49)
I do believe this is the best song on the album and one of the best songs Van Halen ever did in their entire career. From the raunchy hard rockin' riff to the quiet guitar picking bridge, there's a lot to hear and a lot to enjoy in this song. Again, Eddie plays an awesome solo and tears it up leaving his guitar on fire, well, not quite but almost i'd say. Roth sings with a serious tone to his voice that goes well with the song and honestly, if I had to choose only one song to ever hear from Van Halen, it'd be this fantastic song.
5/5
5. I'm the One (3:46)
More fast paced rock with another great riff that grabs your ears and doesn't let go. Maybe compared to the bigger hits on the album this song isn't quite the knockout you might have been expecting. I like the catchy lyrics, especially; "Look at these little kids, takin' care of the music biz" and such. There's a cool "doo-wop" singing goin' on towards the end of the song that adds a great touch to the song. Overall, a superb song yet it doesn't quite have the appeal a lot of the other hit songs have.
4/5
6. Jamie's Cryin' (3:30)
With a melodic drum beat to start the song and a high pitched guitar carrying an irrefusable riff that will get you hooked. The lyrics take on the subject of some girl that can't get away from a guy that only wants her for you know what. That being said, the lyrics are catchy and are sung up to spec by Roth. The bass seems to shine a bit in this song and it may be Anthony's best performance on the album. Eddie seems to play more of a rythm guitar then lead but manages to pull of some sweet riffs in the process. All in all it's another Van Halen classic that i'm sure you're familiar with.
5/5
7. Atomic Punk (3:01)
This song starts out with a crazy guitar riff that I have no idea how Eddie pulls off, but all I know is that he does and its somethin' special. But once again, Van Halen falls a little short kind of like "I'm the One" of becoming another classic hit. Lyrically, its really energetic with some crazy fantasy like lines such as; "I am the ruler of these neverworlds, the underground" and yeah, you get my point I hope. I like this song and i'm sure if you're likin' this album so far you shall like this song too.
4/5
8. Feel Your Love Tonight (3:42)
"Feel Your Love Tonight" is a song that gets a lot of heat, wether people thinking the singing is highly annoying or whatever, I find it to be one of the more generic songs on the album, but that ain't all a bad thing. It kind of gives the album a break from all the different guitar riffs and out of this world soloing you're probably now used to from Eddie. The lyrics are silly and cheesy but do no harm to the value of the song. I think a song like this gives Van Halen their reason to be called a party band and for good reasons of course.
5/5
9. Little Dreamer (3:22)
In this song you'll find the band on the serious side and it adds a different touch to the album. There's a great guitar riff sure to get stuck in your head and an almost haunting feel to the song created by some great backup vocals that add the ghostly feel. The lyrics are some of the best on the album and Roth actually sings like a man on this one. I would have to say this is the most underated song on the album and a true Van Halen gem.
5/5
10. Ice Cream Man (3:19)
Another cover of an old goofy song called "Ice Cream Man". It starts out with some acoustic guitar strumming 'round the fretboard and into the song a ways it turns into a loud rocker. Eddie plays the guitar with a lot of passion as you should know by now and proves it in this song. His leads are beyond amazing and played to perfection. This is a great cover and a fine song, but it can get really annoying after a few listens and sometimes make you want to punch the radio or whatever if you ever hear it when you're in a bad mood or something (I know from experience).
4/5
11. On Fire (3:00)
The finale, a bouncy song with even more extraordinary guitar playing by the guitar god himself, Eddie Van Halen. The bass comes alive in this song and is nice to hear carry the beat as well as some noticeable drum patterns that change up throughout the song. My complaint is the backup vocals get annoying and the song is quite short. But it's a great song and a perfect way to end the album.
4/5
Well there you have it, a classic album that defined the rules of guitar rock. You may disagree with me, but hey! That's your problem! Eddie Van Halen plays some amazing leads and solos, I mean just listen to "Eruption" and "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" for his greatest hits. Outside of Eddie and the guitar we have David Lee Roth singing his heart out, more so then even on songs like "You Really Got Me", "Atomic Punk" and "On Fire". The bass can be subtle a lot of times but its there and provides well with the beat and rythms as well as the drums. This may be the best album ever by Van Halen, unless you believe "1984" outdoes this, it's close for sure but its all up to opinion. Well that's it for now, enjoy this album and rock on!
Pros (+)
+ Amazing guitar work ('Nuff said)
+ If you like DLR, well, he does a fantastic job on the microphone
+ Some songs have great lyrics yet some have cheesy, take your pick!
+ Great covers of "You Really Got Me" and "Ice Cream Man"
Cons (-)
- Nothin' too special 'bout the drums or bass but they ain't really a let down either
- DLR can sing too much like a girl sometimes and that can be very unappealing
