features in: Album Chart of 1978 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s ● 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die  |
The debut album from the Pasadena hard-rockers - named after the band's two Dutch brothers - arrived in February '78. They lined-up: David Lee Roth (23, vocals), Eddie Van Halen (23, guitar, backing vocals), Michael Anthony (23, bass guitar, backing vocals) and Alex Van Halen (24, drums). Four US singles were lifted from the album, all in the same year, beginning with “You Really Got Me” (The Kinks, 1964), giving them a cheap #36 hit. It has little visceral power but, wow, the things that Eddie feller can do with his guitar. So that's alright then. The follow-up, “Runnin' With The Devil” (#86) kinda walks like a panther and has lasted as one of their signature songs, with some remarkable vocal acrobatics from Lee Roth, giving cause for alarm that some sort of satanic sacrifice may be afoot in that studio. The next two singles “Jamie's Cryin'” and “Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love” both failed to chart, but include some of their most memorable licks and tricks, and have endured as catalogue favourites over time. The album's one other cover version appears just before the close as they take on “Ice Cream Man” (John Brim, 1953). It starts well as an acoustic blues number, but descends into a clichéd boogie hell. Ruined it. The LP was a decent start for them commercially, hitting #19 in the US and #34 in the UK.
The Jukebox Rebel
17–Mar–2016
| Tracklist |
| A1 | [03:36]  Van Halen - Runnin’ With The Devil (Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth) Rock |
| A2 | [01:42]  Van Halen - Eruption (Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth) Rock |
| A3 | [02:38]  Van Halen - You Really Got Me (Ray Davies) Rock |
| A4 | [03:50]  Van Halen - Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love (Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth) Rock |
| A5 | [03:47]  Van Halen - I’m The One (Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth) Rock |
| B1 | [03:31]  Van Halen - Jamie’s Cryin’ (Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth) Rock |
| B2 | [03:02]  Van Halen - Atomic Punk (Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth) Rock |
| B3 | [03:43]  Van Halen - Feel Your Love Tonight (Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth) Rock |
| B4 | [03:23]  Van Halen - Little Dreamer (Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth) Rock |
| B5 | [03:20]  Van Halen - Ice Cream Man (John Brim) Blues Rock / Soul Rock |
| B6 | [03:01] Van Halen - On Fire (Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth) Rock |
