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Van Halen (album)

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Van Halen is the self-titled debut album by American hard rock band Van Halen, released in 1978 (see 1978 in music).

Significance

Recorded in 1977 and released in February of 1978.

Van Halen's debut album is bursting with originality and draws influence from blues, classic British rock bands like The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Cream, Queen and The Who, as well as bands like ZZ Top and Rush along with elements of soul and funk. The album is a pure combination of stripped-down, raw production and technical wizardry.

It is considered to be one of the most famous debut albums by a hard rock/heavy metal band in history along with albums such as Led Zeppelin's "Led Zeppelin", Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced?" Boston's "Boston", and Guns N' Roses's "Appetite for Destruction"

From a technical perspective, Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo, "Eruption", was hugely influential on many guitarists. The cadenza near the end is generally regarded as seminal in the development of fretboard tapping, a virtuosic style of solo guitar playing which became popular in the 1980s. The solo's "dive-bomb" pitches also led to the wide-spread use of Floyd Rose-type floating bridge tremolo bars, although the guitar played on the recording did not have one. It has sold over ten million copies in the United States alone and is considered to be one of the most successful debuts by a hard rock band. It is (along with 1984) one of only two Van Halen albums that have reached Diamond status in sales.

Van Halen's first album in 1978 is no doubt one of the best debuts in rock history. Eddie Van Halen's guitar playing methods changed the face of rock and roll and it introduced David Lee Roth, one of the greatest frontmen in the history of rock. The first track, "Runnin' With The Devil," is textbook Van Halen. From the horns in the intro, to the guitar solos and Dave's screams, it is a VH classic and concert favorite. The next song, titled "Eruption" is just what the title says: a guitar solo from Eddie that blew away whoever listened to it. For the next song, Van Halen covered The Kinks' "You Really Got Me," which they made into a fast-paced rocker. It was the band's first single and it put them on the map. The next song is undoubtedly one of the best ever recorded with Dave. "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" is a classic that has been played throughout the years in concert even during the Sammy Hagar years. "I'm The One" is the next track, and it is considered underrated because it is on the same album as many of their classics. But Eddie is all over this song, from the opening riff to the amazing guitar solo. Next is "Jamie's Cryin," yet another hit off of this legendary album. Not as fast-paced but still a great song. "Atomic Punk" is pure guitar from beginning to end and features some great vocals and screams by Dave. While most of the album contains rocking songs, "Feel Your Love Tonight" is more of a pop tune, and it features some great backing vocals from bassist Michael Anthony. "Little Dreamer" is a slower song with some great lyrics. For the next track, Van Halen covered John Brim's "Ice Cream Man." The beginning starts off with Dave singing while playing an acoustic guitar, but it kicks into high gear and features one of the greatest solos Eddie's ever done. "On Fire" was a perfect way to finish off the album. While chanting "Fire!!" towards the end, Eddie is going crazy with his guitar and at the end of this song Van Halen fans can only expect more of this kind of rock on their albums to come. Not just a must-have for VH fans, it should be in the collection of all music fans.

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Track listing

all songs by Anthony, Roth, Van Halen and Van Halen, except where noted

  1. "Runnin' With the Devil" – 3:35
  2. "Eruption" – 1:42
  3. "You Really Got Me" (Ray Davies) – 2:37
  4. "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" – 3:49
  5. "I'm the One" – 3:46
  6. "Jamie's Cryin'" – 3:30
  7. "Atomic Punk" – 3:01
  8. "Feel Your Love Tonight" – 3:42
  9. "Little Dreamer" – 3:22
  10. "Ice Cream Man" (John Brim) – 3:19
  11. "On Fire" – 3:00

Personnel

Production

  • Producer: Ted Templeman
  • Engineers: Donn Landee, Peggy McCreary, Kent Nebergall
  • Project coordinator: Jo Motta
  • Art direction: Dave Bhang
  • Design: Dave Bhang
  • Photography: Elliot Gilbert
  • Typesetting: Jodi Cohen

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year Chart Position
1978 Pop Albums 19
1984 The Billboard 200 117

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Year Single Chart Position
1978 "Runnin' With The Devil" Pop Singles 84
1978 "You Really Got Me" Pop Singles 36

RIAA Certification

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