One of the greatest party
albums of all time by one of the greatest
party bands of all time, these young tear-away
Americans knew how to rock and enjoy themselves
to the limit and beyond.
Discovered by Gene Simmons of “Kiss” after
playing the American Club circuit they
were rushed into the studio with experienced
rock producer Ted Templeton and came out
with this raw product.
At the time (1978) it was given no chance,
a fully fledged Rock ‘n’ Roll album at
the height of the seventies disco scene.
However, straight to the top of the charts
it shot, almost single-handled killing
of disco (for which we should all be eternally
grateful) and giving Van Halen 4 top ten
hits along the way.
As for debut albums this one just about
tops the tree, especially for a bunch
of total unknowns.
At least half the songs on this eponymous
debut are still considered one hundred
percent solid gold classics. Each band
member establishing their own character
in every song. Frontman and show man extraordinaire
Dave Lee Roth pants, rants, screams, and
pouts his way through the album like the
old tart he was. Sticksman Alex Van Halen
made his own sound, very heavy drums with
plenty of double bass work and open high
hats, always pushing the other members
of the band to the limit. Michael Anthony
was the ultimate good time rockin’ bass
player. In later years he had a guitar
painted and shaped like a bottle of Jack
Daniels.
But the man who really grabbed the headlines
was the soon to become legend Eddie Van
Halen creating his own unique style with
legato, palm silencing, fat rhythms, finger
pinching, and hand tapping; almost every
song starts with something original from
the man. After the opening salvo of “Runnin’
With The Devil”, Eddie is allowed to let
rip with “Eruption” one minute thirty
seconds of guitar that would change the
world of guitar rock forever, revolutionizing
the guitar community and inspiring a thousand
imitators into the heavy metal lexicon.
A magnificent debut for sure, but maybe
the band should of held onto a few of
their blockbuster tunes to bolster the
lean years that started after 1984 and
continued to the present day. (I mean,
does anybody even know who is lead vocalist
with them now? And does anybody care?)
But on this album Van Halen amply demonstrates
their drive showmanship, sense of fun
(Ice Cream Man) and musicianship throughout,
blowing the needle off the scale on such
tracks as the old Kinks classic “You Really
Got Me”, “Atomic Punk”, and “Ain’t Talkin'
About Love”.
Turn it up and turn on. Party time boys
and girls.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
