Van Halen - Van Halen

1978

Track Listing                                                                          

1. Runnin' with the devil                     7. Atomic punk                              

2. Eruption                                         8. Feel your love tonight                  

3. You really got me                          9. Little dreamer                                                                      

4. Ain't talkin' 'bout love                    10. Ice cream man                                            

5. I'm the one                                   11. On fire                                       

6. Jamie's cryin                                         

Band Members:

David Lee Roth - Vocals     Eddie Van Halen - Guitar

Michael Anthony - Bass     Alex Van Halen - Drums

Produced By :  Ted Templeman

Notes

This is one of the most popular debut albums of all time.  Can you imagine being a teenager in 1978 and throwing this in for the first time.  I would love to see someone's reaction to listening to Eruption for the first time in 1978.  Some of their most popular songs are found on this classic debut including the cover of the Kink's You really got me, and another cover of John Brim's Ice cream man.  The album has sold over ten million copies and is ranked number 415 according to Rolling Stones 500 greatest albums of all time.  The album hit only number 19 on the Billboard pop charts.  There is not a track on here that is longer than four minutes.

Recommendations

Must own.  There are seven outstanding tracks, and for the most part the entire album is great.  There should not be a single music library that does not include this album.  Even if you are into only jazz, country, hip-hop, whatever, you still must own this.  And for those hip-hop fans who are familiar with Tone Loc's Wild thing, you will already be familiar with a track on here. 

If you plan on purchasing Van Halen

You must purchase the 2000 remastered version.  Warner Brothers have remastered all David Lee Roth era Van Halen albums, and this is the one that you must go with.  You can find this album available at your local record store, or you can check out Cdnow.com.  You should never pay more that $10.99 for this.

If you don't plan on purchasing Van Halen but want to hear some tracks from it

It would just be silly to pass up on Van Halen.  It's inexpensive, loaded with great material, and you would spend just about as much buying the tunes online at Itunes or Napster.  If you still feel like refusing to own this album, then check out my top 5 tracks listed below.  Also, I have my ideal Van Halen compilation at my Van Halen Home Page.

My Top 5