Reviews (page 10 of 14)
Perhaps not my cup of tea, cannot argue that Van Halen isn't a talented fellow. If one of his albums is to be kept, it ought to be this one! 8/10 [KEEP]
A good album (—if you’re in the mood for the genre.)
I didnt expect to hear a cover of the kinks on this album. Filled with lots of fun songs. Enjoyable hard rock album. Not the most impressive, but it doesnt need to be. 3/5
Personally I dont like shredding, but its unbelievable that he could make those sounds from a guitar at that time. Definitely has crazy talent and great artistry in this album. But I just don't like classic metal/rock.
Rock usor :) Highlights: you really got me (mai fain decat originalul decat the kinks pt mine); I’m the one
i'm not above this! blew my mind was i was 14, formative experience
Not my typical vibe, but cool!
I appreciated the instrumental. Really liked "You Really Got Me", "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love". "Atomic Punk" was fun, so was "Feel Your Love"- Very good album, very cohesive, not really my vibe.
It's alright but nothing really to get your teeth into. Guitar is good but I need more than that when listening to music
It's ok
ok
Lots of great songs on here. I liked it more than I expected to. But there's also the seeds of horrible hair metal here, with cheesy lyrics, annoying background vocals, and some serious sexism.
I think this is better than 1984. Feels less transitional.
Phenomenal guitar work throughout, Eruption all-timer. Could take or leave everything else, though.
Interesting album to start with. Looked at the tracks and didn’t think this was going to be very good but I actually enjoyed it.
Pretty wanky
An album with a few good songs. 3/5. Feels like it was written by a mid 20 yo. 80s sound. The kind of music I hear at a party or event and enjoy but not get super into.
eruption is a fire song, but the rest of the album is just not my thing at all - too loud and not my vibe - like 2.5/5, but I'll round up to three because it's not poorly done
Y'know ... I do like the SOUND of Van Halen, but listening to this made me realize that David Lee Roth is a real turn off. His misogynist-dickhead vibe is just 🤮. I think I prefer Van Hagar, but not by much. Van Halen is definitely a sum-is-less-than-their-parts band for me.
This might be only the 3rd or 4th time I've listened to this album in its entirety and each time I'm impressed by the number of songs I know. Were they hits, I have no idea, but VH clearly knew how to get airtime back when I was listening to the radio a lot. That said, I can't really claim to enjoy their music. It feels a lot like ZZ Top, Def Leppard, and all the other hard rock bands from the late 70s and 80s. There's some catchy tunes and impressive guitar work, but the style itself turns me off.
I feel like the talent they clearly hold as musicians never really came together to form highly consistent songs. Like there is great drumming, good vocals and amazing guitar playing. Yet whilst those parts are great the songs are not great enough.
Powerful classic rock goodness with all the teenage nostalgia blended in
Leuk om op te dansen en lekker energiek maar alle liedjes klinken wel een beetje hetzelfde
Was afraid going in to it, but much better than expected. Eruption and Jamie's Cryin' were highlights. 3.6*, rounded down. Decent though!
ok they're pretty good especially imagining this as being a new sound and not what a thousand people since have mimicked
an album that i recognize is very technically impressive, but not one i see myself listening to and enjoying very much. i’ve never been a huge Van Halen fan, but i did like Jamie’s Cryin’ and thought Ice Cream Man was fun and weird. the You Really Got Me cover is pretty good too. realistically like a 2.5 star album for me, but i’ll round up.
The guitar is obviously great because it’s Van Halen, but I don’t really care about the rest
Only 3 x songs that I liked
The hits are undeniably great, and Ice Cream Man is pretty fun, but overall this is just ok.
Little bit samey but holds up as a solid rock album
Pretty rockin' stuff. I enjoyed You Really Got Me and Eruption the most. An extremely solid debut album. It must have been mind-blowing to listen to this for the first time in 1978.
Top notch LA hair metal.
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.
Favorite Songs: You Really Got Me, Feel Your Love Tonight Least Favorite Song: I'm the One My guy is absolutely SHREDDING that guitar.
3/5
respect to the original dad rock i guess Would I listen again: no Deserves to be on this list: yes 3.4
I started out thinking 'oh no, brace for schlock rock overload' but within about ten mins I was fairly well into it 😅🤘
Guitar screeches. Wee wee wee wheeeeewwww
Classic, but I don’t see myself reaching to listen to this too regularly other than a couple of the songs. Still iconic though.
Ice cream man is great maybe 3.9
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.
Amazing
Van Halen is so talented and a bit before their time, but the style is not my cup of tea
Enjoyed it, EVH was an absolute giant
A weird amount of Shoo Be Doo Wah for a good guitar album
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.
Classic album no complaints.
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.
*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
- 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.
Enjoyable rock album
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.
Dont mind a bit of van halen
Well, that was the first Van Halen album.
3.5/5
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.
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
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.
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
cock rock without toxic masculinity. cocaine fueled meedly meedly guitar shredding solos. satisfying. would listen again
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
6/10
JUMP! c
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.
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)
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.
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..
cabilla
Nice
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.
Dad rock. Great cover of You Really Got me. Some crazy guitars. A powerful debut. But a mid listening experience for me.
Veey cool. Enjoyed this a lot 4/5
Best VH front to back. (3.5)
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.
Another that's not for me, but I can appreciate what the artist is doing. Sorry, mom!
Fun as hell hard rock with the best guitarist ever despited some dated stylistic choices.
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.
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.
Fun
An okay album, I liked Eruption and You Really Gote the most.
Sounds kinda like you’d expect, classic rock with amazing solos
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
Lame
Didn’t like it as much as I thought I would
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.
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
Ihan kivaa rokkia, mutta ei kyllä resonoinut sen enempää. Kepittelystä tulee kyllä lisäpisteet, hulvatonta meininkia kitaroinnissa.
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.
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
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.
Cool, influential, and simply a classic. I'm glad I heard it once, but I won't put it on again.
I love EVH as a guitarist but somehow don’t really love Van Halen as a band. Still a good listen though.
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.
Kinda goofy in places but some great guitar pieces in it
Générique mais j'imagine que ca a eu beaucoup d'influence. La guitare est pas pire aussi.
Some nice tracks, would be a great soundtrack to an action movie. Can be a bit much at times.
Damn that's actually some classic af rock.
Each song has short bits that I like and could see myself enjoying but then everything else happens and I'm disappointed all over again. HOWEVER this album somehow infected my brain and I returned to it all day. 3.5
I was expecting exactly this. A cool fun metal/hard rock album with amazing guitar riffs and talented vocals. I’ve never really have ever been into this sort of music but it isn’t bad but just not my type of stuff. I don’t think I’ll ever return to this album let alone this genre after this challenge but I’m glad to hear it. Favourite songs were eruption and ice cream man both bringing insane guitar performances. Overall I enjoyed this short fun metal album so I’m feeling a 7.6/10 3.8/5
Weirdly I'd never heard this album before, only heard about it. Whilst it wouldn't be an album I'd normally put on, I can see why it's considered a banger.
Really fun high energy album of solid and dependable rock with some unexpected musical surprises. Some serious guitar shredding that reminds me I need to practice. Great for kitchen dancing and a brilliant cooking album. Super enjoyed my first full Van Halen album experience.
Not bad. Better than the other Van Halen album on the list simply because it isn't so childish.
Ван Хален. Лучшая песня - You Really Got Me.
A solid hard rock album propped by the one two combo of Eruption and Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love and Eddie Van Halen's incredible guitar playing. 3 Stars.
Probably closer to 3.5
Sounds very formulaic but worth remembering Van Helen were one of the bands that created the formula. Enjoyable enough bit of Heavy Metal fluff
I liked how there was genre diversity in the latter half of the record. Overall, it's a good hard rock record with some hits, but nothing that stuck for me. Favourite Track(s): You Really Got Me, Little Dreamer Least Favourite Track(s): Atomic Punk, Feel Your Love Tonight
too old for that
I love the guitar and the instruments overall, but I don’t really like the songs themselves, mainly due to the lyrics. They just seem to simple and a little hokey at times. Without the great instrument performance, this would probably be a 2 star for me. Solo in Eruption is insane.
Not my style
Not My pice of cacke
Oh god thank you there is no "Jump" on this album.
"Running With the Devil" is worth the price of admission, and there are several other iconic standouts here. The volcanic combination of EVH and Diamond Dave is nothing to be scoffed at, and this album undeniably left a big, greasy mark on rock history. Do I like all of it? Or even most of it? Can't say that I really do, anymore. It's a good object lesson in the difference between cheese and corn: this thing is deeply cheesy, but too genuinely sexy to be corny, even if the sexiness reads a little bit nastier with each passing year.
For an album so influential that pretty much changed the way people approach guitar playing, it's very light a fun. The guitar is obviously the standout here, but the song stay consistently good, in their silly ultra-macho way. Key tracks: Runnin' With the Devil Eruption Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
3.5 I like this one a lot more than their other one. More kind of guitar energy. I like Atomic Punk. Still don't love the voice, but it was an interesting time period of really promoting straight men's sexuality and desirability.
Another "pretty much what I expected and I enjoyed it"
It's just so silly
There’s a reason why these guys hit it big - These are real songs, not just bravado and raw energy for its own sake. And oh my God can Eddie wield that axe.
I don't trust anyone who prefers this version of "You Really Got Me" over the original by the Kinks.. Favorite track: Runnin' with the Devil
The second half of this album isn't anywhere near as good as the first half. And the first half, while being good, isn't as consistent as I'd like it to be. "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" is a stand out track to me, and while the others are food, they aren't excellent. I also really enjoyed "Little Dreamer." I could probably make this a 2 star review, but for now it sits at 3. Not bad by any means, but it has enough to be unhappy about that as a complete project, it cant compete with others. But at no point is it outright bad, despite a few unfortunate moments.
Partial listen only. Songs were familiar.
My brother got me into this guys !
i guess i just can't believe i didn't know that this is what Van Halen sounded like. And that I'd like it.
Morsomt rockealbum skapt for fest.
A classic for anyone interested in 80s rock or guitar riffs that make you want to move
Loud
nice guitar solos, but the singing is not my kind of tea
I've always enjoyed Van Halen's wankering, but I've also always hated David Lee Roth's endless whining. It's still quite the album nonetheless.
again, this isn't exactly new to me
6/10 - approachable rock, not too hard but some good riffs, didnt realise "you really got me" is from Van Halen
скока можно мне подсовывать этих мужиков.... плиз стоп. это вроде не ужасно плохо, но мне как-то не очень.
It’s ok
5/10
I have no clue why I always mix up Van Halen with Led Zeppelin, but this was a fun album anyway. There are a lot of songs I knew that I didn’t realize were Van Halen. The electric guitar on this album felt so crispy and pure rock n’ roll. Favorite tracks: - Runnin’ with the Devil - You Really Got Me - Jamie’s Cryin’
01) Runnin' with the Devil - 7,0 02) Eruption - 6,0 03) You Really Got Me - 7,0 04) Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love - 7,5 05) I'm the One - 6,0 06) Jamie's Cryin' - 7,0 07) Atomic Punk - 6,0 08) Feel Your Love Tonight - 6,5 09) Little Dreamer - 7,0 10) Ice Cream Man - 6,0 11) On Fire - 6,0 TOTAL: 6,55 (66/100) Current ranking: 439/628 Meh... Dad rock. And I mean oooold dad, because I'm as old as this album and this is really not my cup of tea...
no
Van Halen's debut album gets straight to the point. Eddie's guitar work is sublime, and David Lee Roth's energetic vocals compliment it well. The first four tracks are all very strong, although one is a Kinks cover. The album shreds, and on the right day, I could give it 4 stars. But in my opinion, the majority of the songs don't hold up to the first few. Fun album though. Fav Track: "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love"
Hørte den her virkelig meget som teenager, og har et nostalgisk forhold til den selvom den bliver dummere og dummere for hver gang jeg hører den. Hørte ret meget musik af folk med åndssvage stemmer da jeg var teenager.
Really great guitar and the singer is good. But this band will never escape the adolescent aroma of "Hot for Teacher."
I’d give it three stars. Nothing special to say about this one. It was a solid album. My favourites were You Really Got Me, Jamie’s Cryin’ and Little Dreamer
Sure, this inclusion makes sense. I had exactly 0 Van Halen thoughts and feelings going in, and I have exactly 0 going out. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Highlight: 'You Really Got Me' (probably just because I know it)
Good, but too repetitive for me
Pop metal, great A-side.
3.5.
It was good, but not great. I dislike David lee Roth's voice and EVH is a wicked overplayer
Well, not bad
7/10
some great tracks on here aint talking about love, is classic banger as is eruption and running with the devil. its an enjoyable blues rock album nothing too special
Not a big fan but def had some songs they still play on the radio.
I've heard this album before and very strongly associate Van Halen with my ex-husband who was a big fan (mostly of Van Hagar). I don't like David Lee Roth or his voice, but the result being this album is classic. it is THE classic rock and is one of the original sounds of the time. it's entertaining to listen to and I usually don't turn it off when it comes on. however, I don't seek out listening to it and so for that reason, I give it a 3. Best track: You Really Got Me Worst track: Jamie's Cryin' and On Fire are tied for last place
It's hardly my preferred flavour of rock, and I'm in no rush to listen to it again (that Kinks cover... it's not *bad* as such, it's just... what was the point?), BUT there are some good moments - catchy choruses and (naturally) tasty guitar parts and such. Definitely feels like the blueprint for 80s hair metal, which is a dubious claim to fame, but I'll give this the benefit of the doubt and say instead that it's a decent debut album in isolation.
6/10…80‘s hard rock / metal
Has some really fun songs, some less fun. Pretty good overall but very basic and completely unremarkable. The riffs overall are just not that great, and the energy is mostly carried by the vocals. 7/10
my dad (whose favorite band is Van Halen) ’s review: “The best one top to bottom” yeah, it’s pretty good.
I love space rock revival which makes this album more listenable to me but the indie sleaze of this record throwa me off. Courtneys vocals are really annoying but i love songs like "The Creep Out" they just feel so surreal and psychedelic. 6/10 Favourite: The Creep Out Least Favourite: Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth
Enjoyable at the most, basic at the worst
You know you’ve made a properly shit album when you really got me is the best written song on it. Jk this albums ok, I like aint talkin bout love
it was nice to listening to it, but it was not my taste
I forever lean on the Chuck Klosterman rating system: Van Halen's "And the Cradle Will Rock" (not on this album) is the perfect average rock song. Anything better is good. anything worse is bad. So in that spirit, I give this a 3, even though I think it's a little better than that but not much.
It's still hard to believe this came out in 1978. I can't imagine what people thought the first time they heard this. Definitely a band that is greater than the sum of it's parts.
Classic Van Halen… Some great songs on this album but I’m just not a huge fan of a lot of the guitar licks with the two hand tapping
Did not age well
solid album
One of those where I don’t know if it’s a great album, but it’s culturally significant so its placement is apt. Not for me, but I can’t deny Mr. Halen’s talents.
Pretty rocking, some songs a little basic.
Good
Definitely better than 1984, but still only a high 3 as most of it just doesn't quite resonate with me.
Eruption fun
As a guitar player this is potentially sacrilege but I've always found the Van Halen radio hits a little offputting and as a result I've never sought them out. This album was mostly more of the same, but there were a couple of moments I really enjoyed. For example, the doo wop breakdown in "I'm the one" was an eclectic little surprise. Overall though I'd say that while there's a lot of talent on display here it feels like it's mostly bluster to me
Don’t care for Van Halen that much but still the hits are always fun and catchy
I'm not the biggest EVH fan but this was a fun listen. He had more interesting songs than I would have though on the album. Still not the biggest fan of super shreddy guitar like that, but it was still an easy enough listen. Highlights: I'm The One Jamie's Crying
There was a period of time in my late-ish teens where I would have loved this.
Had a couple of good hits.
Por mi, es un si. Por más que no sea mi estilo. Me gustó más que sus contemporáneos del heavy. Nota: 3.5
Listened to this in the car on my way to D&D last night to get myself hyped for the fight that was about to go down. I arrived feeling energized and reckless, which is the intended effect of arena rock imo.
A whole lot of vocal masturbation going on by David Lee Roth, and maybe some actual masturbation from the sounds of it. I would be tempted to say the same about Eddie Van Halen's guitar work, but it's more like a kid doing tricks he wants to show off. They're both GOOD at what they do, but it just isn't that cohesive for me and rarely comes off as music I want to listen to.
Regarding how much I liked it 3/5
Wild thang …..
Ev närmre 3.5
NEED A BEER
Decent listen.
Kinda does exactly what you’d expect a Van Halen album to do. A bit of fun. But nothing more memorable than that.
wish i could rate something three and a half stars?? or like 3.75? good vibes for sure, i liked it a lot more than i typically do for something of this genre good tone of the geetars also tickles the brain just so
N sou fã de Power metal, mas gostei bastante do álbum
Well, I lost my whole review I had typed out...I'll give this one a high three, rounded-down. It doesn't personally speak to me despite the crazy talent and execution. The band sounds insane, and, in a different way, so does Diamond Dave's endless vocal vamping, but it continues to provide amusement all the same. Near hearing real real old school influences here like blues and barbershop.
Complete
This reminded me a bit of Bob Jovi, though not quite as good. They did get good use out of the guitar playing, and were good at “tactically” deploying the guitar where it would be most effective. Favorite Track: Eruption
Hair band rock. It goes hard, but is it really that hard. Better than KISS or ACDC, but so many repetitive songs. Musicianship is impressive, but not enough to make me want to listen to the album often.
reminds of an amusement park and songs you’d listen to on a rollercoaster. or one of those roller coaster montages.
Eddie Van Halen is a good guitar player. Eruption fucks. The songs are fun and happy, though I would like them to be heavier and less poppy. Fun listen though.
it's van halen. turn the brain off and rock out. hell yeah
Surprisingly not dookie
This is waaaaay too front heavy but even with that being the case, the a-side is fantastic and the second side is competent... 3*
Decent fun, but other rock albums I get more out of
Rating: 3 Notable songs: Eruption, Running with the Devil, Ain't talkin about love Quite a short album at 35 minutes. Decent but definitely fades out past the first 4 songs
Pretty good album, full of radio hits. I didn't hate it, but it's never going to be my go-to. Still holds up better than most radio stuff I thought.
Good stuff all the hits. I love the kinks
Not my type of music
Thought it would be harder. But actually very blues forward. Helpful to situate in rock genealogy
3.5 Stars
Rock movido, muchos solos
Not a huge VH fan but some important classics here
Not my jam
Wish I could give this 3.5 stars. Definitely a controversial take but I dont think this is everything I expected it to be.
I can imagine myself, with an unironic mullet, wearing an unironic jean jacket, rocking out to this back in the 70's
Ahead of its time. If you told me it came out 5 years later than it did, I wouldn’t even question it. Impeccable guitar playing and bravado vocals.
Fun, never been huge on arena rock but it still felt impossible not to enjoy myself. Rating: 3.5
I mean it’s not dissimilar to other similar albums from the time which are alright listens (if on the right mood) but aren’t ever going to win any awards for innovation. Although maybe this was innovative and everyone else copied. Down the middle again then.
I like my hair metal fully ridiculous. This is not as ridiculous as their 1984 album which we’ve already had in here. Clearly they had yet to fully develop their egos, drug/alcohol/womanising addictions and couldn’t yet afford a full blown production team. Nice to meet you though baby hair rock.
Partially listened before Fav tracks: Runnin With the Devil, You Really Got Me, Feel Your Love Tonight
Jetzt weiß ich, woher die Chipmunks ihre Version von You Really Got Me haben.
Milquetoast 80s rock. Enjoyed the guitars generally but the songs were pretty flat and souless. Couldn't find too much to like or dislike in here, it's fine.
Short and concise album. Have heard many of the songs before and liked second part a bit more as I hadn’t heard songs. Classic hard rock sound and great guitar riffs. Solid album
☀︎j’aime pas Eruption ☀︎c’est pas si pire ☀︎ je me suis rendue compte qu’il faut carrément que je change mon « mindset » pour pouvoir apprécier ça, genre il faut que je m’imagine être à un certain moment, à une certaine époque. un peu comme ce que je faisais pour Fear Of A Black Planet ☀︎bref c’est pas si pire que ça comme album. 3.5☆, arrondi à la baisse :(
A pretty good album! Talented guitar playing and catchy enough songs (though a few were forgettable). 3/5
Was decent and the singles are good. Still not really my vibe but I can appreciate it.
Not a big cock rock fan, but liked the blues influence. Maybe being a little harsh because I've gotten a few 70s-80s metal bands in a row. Drums here are insane. Pretty wild for a debut album.
eh. hair metal with one flavor
Like sitting at one of those faux-chic Asian wok restaurants and watching the chef perform an entire pyrospectacle, flying vegetables and shrimps getting beheaded mid-air included, just to get you your noodles on your plate. It's flashy, it's entertaining, but like, surely he doesn't *actually* need to be doing all that, right?
Fun times! Starts out nicely with Runnin' With The Devil. You Really Got Me is a classic, great song. I'm The One has some awesome shredding in it. The guitar work throughout the album is excellent. Ice Cream Man is pretty fun too. Only ok songs are Atomic Punk and On Fire. All in all, good album. Best song: You Really Got Me
Only listened to half pretty good tho
I don’t think the tone has aged well (or at least it’s not presently in vogue). The lyrics are so bad. Its stars really only come from the technical prowess.
Eddie Van Halen. I knew more songs on this album than I would have thought.
Decent guitar solos and cracking debut album. However found 1984 more interesting when we had that and this didn’t blow me away
Good rock band. Good music Miss Eddie, greatest guitarist that ever lived. R.I.P.
Eddie play guitar good. That's it. That's the album. 'Eruption' is a perfect opener and tone-setter for this type of music, so it makes total sense that it's *checks notes* the second track on the album. Also, I really like the Kinks and really dislike 'You Really Got Me' - super duper.
The fact that Van Halen decided that “Eruption” wouldn’t be the album opener should act as a warning that this might not be among the greatest rock debuts, as it if often called. I’ve read people argue that it would otherwise sell the album as an Eddie-one-man show - but why, oh why, is the rest of the album when just an explosion of Eddie playing great guitar with some guys playing instruments alongside him? I don’t actually hate it, as you would probably think from reading the above - it’s quite good, considering the genre.
1. Deal With The Devil - it's okay. 2. Eruption - it's an almost 2 minute guitar solo. good stuff, very impressive. 3. You Really Got Me - like it. Good cover 4. Ain't Talkin Bout Love - decent 5. I'm the One - the descending part is cool as well as the chugging bass guitar 6. Jamie's Cryin' - it's alright 7. Atomic Punk - I like the title. Song was alright; the high notes were cool. 8. Feel Your Love Tonight - hmm it was okay. Maybe give another listen? 9. Little Dreamer - pretty good 10. Ice Cream Man - another cover. The acoustic first third of the song was a nice change of pace and refreshing to hear so late in a very guitar-driven album. Pretty good 11. On Fire - going out with a bit of a bang. This was decent
GRAH. OOG BOOG. EERGY WEERGY. GROBBLE.
Hello Reveiwthony Halentano here. The internets busiest music nerd. It’s time for a review on the brand new LP from the eclectic rock band Van Halen. Sparing guitar riffs really carried this project. I was a bit annoyed by the repetitive background singing. Would be a treat to see them live. Feeling a strong 6 to light 5 on this one. Transition
rad. some bangers on here, but overall sounds pretty generic. Think their other albums are probably better
3.5 not bad but I don't know if it's super inventive.
6/10
Just your basic, solid, hard rocker.
I remember loving this album when it was released. It doesn’t quite hold up, sounds a bit dated. It does have a lot great guitar riffs by Eddie Van Halen. David Lee Roth has a definite swashbuckling attitude to his singing which is still enjoyable. It caught my attention that this album has a bright, crisp, and tight feel to it, much like Boston’s debut album. I wonder if Boston had a conscious influence on Van Halen.
3,5
It was fine, I guess
picit egyhangu volt egy ido utan, meg kell egy vibe h ezt hallgassam de amugy fullos
3.3 2x catch up 4/18
Entretenido y rockerón, pero ya lo sentí medio viejito.
Then sortens metal jag har svårast för, men här finns några bangers och stundtals fantastiska gitarrer. Trea plus.
Pretty good! This feels like quality hair metal (if that's the right genre) 7 out of 10
Eddy is a pretty good guitar player. I like that most of these songs have a really fast tempo, really amps you up Not bad overall.
The pterodactyl is strong in this one. 6/10
Massively influential, charismatic, and explosive. It's not music that personally moves me, but it's fun and I understand why people like it.
Alright
Great album although dated now.
1. devil - 2.5 2. eruption - 1.5 3. me - 1.5 4. love - 2 5. one - 1.5 6. crying - 2 7. atomic - 1.5 8. tonight - 2 9. dreamer - 1.5 10. ice cream - 1.5 11. fire - 1
I don't know, this just wasn't very captivating to me 5/10
I really like the guitar, the instrumentation is pretty cool and I see how it has impacted so many musicians after. I would try to copy this if i was in the 70s. It would have been game changing to me. I don't really like the vocals, they just kinda feel like they're for me. Not bad just kinda fine
I dont like this album. Its not the type of music i like. I wouldnt listen to this. I wouldnt recommend this to people.
I got into like rock music because of my brother so I like listening to the instrumental. I think its a good album I really like it. The lyrics are good aswell but I don't pay much attention to them because of the instrumentals. I would recommend this album to a rock lover, its a really cool album.
I like this album because I enjoy the upbeat melody. The lyrics are not my favorite, but the figurative language is clever.
Have you ever wanted to listen to rock music? Then this song is perfect for you. In my opinion, I don't like this album because I don't like rock music. Another reason why I don't like this album is because I don't like the voice of the singer and how the instruments sound. I would not recommend this to someone else because I don't like it and I feel like someone else would also not like it. I would give this a solid 3 stars out of 5.
Honestly liked this much more than anticipated. Some good songs
Pretty interesting some of the riffs and very recognisable songs
I remember this album blowing my socks off when I was about 12 learning the guitar for the first time. Listening to eruption blew my mind and still does to this day
Some great guitar, although the string tapping thing does get a bit boring. Sing in is really cheesy, but I can get past it on some songs. Favourite song: Jamie’s crying’. Overall around 6/10
Guitar hero vibes Rating:6
a bit back i saw a tweet calling Black Sabbath impressive given the fact that its frontman is and always has been barely sapient. personally, i find it incredibly funny to consider Ozzy Osbourne a type of kobold who would be happiest sorting moss in a cave if he and a guy missing part of his finger hadn't invented heavy metal. in this sense, i consider Eddie Van Halen to be the opposite: someone too smart and talented for their own good inventing the 1980's with insane, Mozart-like talent despite not being able to read music. he didn't invent tapping, but he did it well enough to name it "tapping" in the first place, and i think that's basically enough to drive someone who's just a cut under him crazy. the rest of the band is making good time catching up to Eddie, but they're still not gonna win the race. he's basically a lap ahead of them at all times, cylinders blazing. of course, that doesn't mean that Van Halen is entirely my cup of tea. they did pretty much invent what glam metal was gonna sound like until its death, and i feel like that sort of colors the whole thing an unfortunate shade of stupid. still, i can't blame Van Halen for that -- i blame the wannabes for running the sound into the ground. you can pick out any of the Def Leppards or Guns N Roses and find the DNA, but none of them are smart enough to put the world's then-most technical and insane solo right before a cover of the prototypical "song so easy to come up with you could write it by accident if you've never played a guitar before" track.
First album of the 1001 that is rock, that was fun. In my opinion, the album decreased in goodness with every proceeding song… I wasn’t expecting a kinks cover (kinks did it better)…
Even though it’s not my type of music, I still enjoyed it.
3.4/5
the well established radio songs on this album were of course great and lots of fun to listen to, can only imagine how innovative the instrumental work was at the time. Most of the other songs are pretty rough lyrically but I had to kind of laugh at the performative swagger. Rating: 2.5
Van Halen is the 80's answer to the question Hendix asked in the 70's. Great rocker for my Monday drive time
I didn’t mind this, especially in the beginning. Not my thing but I can understand why it’s on here.
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. 3.5/5 rounded down to 3. 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
Eddie is awesome and some of the songs are classic. Some of the songs are just hair though. 3.34
Not bad, just nothing exciting
Some truly remarkable guitar, but overall not my cup of tea
I can see how this album is the basis of hair metal.
On paper, this should be absolutely perfect for me. Virtuoso guitar playing? Check. ’80s rock swagger? Check. Arena-sized confidence and riffs for days? Absolutely. And to be clear, I do like it. I just don’t quite love it. Eddie Van Halen’s guitar work is, of course, phenomenal. The technical brilliance is obvious, but it never feels sterile. There’s flair, imagination, and a sense that he’s genuinely enjoying himself. The rhythm section of Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen is equally impressive—tight, punchy, and full of drive. The whole album moves with real momentum. Where it falters slightly for me is David Lee Roth. I don’t dislike him. He has undeniable charisma and a cheeky, mischievous charm in his delivery. But I often find myself thinking he’s more fun than he is good. When I enjoy his solo work, it’s usually because the songs themselves are strong, rather than because I’m blown away by his vocal performance. That same dynamic is at play here. It’s a great debut, packed with energy and musicianship, but it never quite tips over into something I personally adore. Standout Song: Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love Score: 3/5
Heard this before. I certainly appreciate some Southern California rock representation. And this is the album that introduced the world to Eddie Van Halen, whose guitar virtuosity appears throughout the album. But a lot of these songs don't really hold up and overall this is just a average effort by a rock band. One thing I did come away appreciating more was their background vocals which really are sneaky good. I think you have to put at least one Van Halen album on this list, but I'll have to think about whether this was the one.
I see why people like it, but its not my particular taste. I like You Really Got Me and Ain't Talkin' Bout Love. Ice Cream Man made me uncomortable.
Van Halen doesn’t do much for me. Eddie Van Halen is undeniably one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, but the songs are just kinda dull. It wasn’t a bad listening experience and I do like some of the songs, but Van Halen fans practically cream their pants talking about how awesome and cool they are, and they’re just ok.
3.5
Fine, radio music
Favorite Tracks: "You Really Got Me", "Jamie's Cryin'", "Ain't Talkin' About Love", "I'm The One", "Little Dreamer", "Ice Cream Man"
Not my thing but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would... which wasn't allot
Good stuff. Not what I’d usually choose to listen to, but certainly not my least favorite classic rock album I’ve heard.
3.3 stars rounded down. The singles are technically great but the album also sounds dirt baggy and somewhat date rapey. Very 80s in a bad way.
My sister dragged me to see them in 1986 or so, Sammy Hagar on lead vocals, and it was one of the best show I’ve ever seen. Great musicianship and energy, really gave thenfans their money’s worth. Having said all that I’ve never been a big fan of their records. This is fun for a debut with Eddie’s guitar work and a great cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” earning this a solid 3.
I assume everyone has heard five of the first six songs? I like “ain’t talkin bout love.” And then the other songs were fine. Oh, wait, “little dreamer” I like more than the rest of side two. Two songs to the playlist.
Eddie Van Halens guitar sound and style was so unique to this era and really made Van Halen pioneer their newly created genre, ‘glam metal’ It’s a pretty awesome debut album. I enjoy Van Halen it in bits and pieces, but a whole album is a bit much for me.
I'm not a big fan of arena rock or guitar shredding but this album rocked and I enjoyed it. It wasn't until this listen that I made the connection between "Jamie's Crying" and Tone Loc's "Wild Thing".
High energy, intricate, a lot going on. Definitely identify a lot of 80s rock taking their lead from this