Van Halen – S/T (Release Year – 1978)
All the talk about the 2007 Van Halen Reunion, I thought I would break out VH’s debut disc from 1978.
I think it is safe to say that this is one of the biggest debut discs by any hard rock band, and is certainly one of the most influential records of all time.
As far as debut’s go, Van Halen has only been outsold by Guns N’ Roses‘, Appetite for Destruction. A Diamond Level in sales (10 Million Copies sold) is certainly nothing to sneeze at.
Eddie Van Halen’s guitar playing on this record, changed
the face of rock music. Countless guitarists tried to replicate his style of playing over the years, and he continues to influence young guitarists today.
The dynamic front man, David Lee Roth was nothing like anyone else at the scene at the time, and he too has had plenty of imitators over the years.
This record is one that you can listen to from beginning to end. It rocks all the way through. Several of the cuts have been over played on rock radio. Four Singles were released from this record, Running With the Devil, (The Kinks‘ cover) You Really got Me, Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love, and Jamie’s Cryin.
One of my all time favorite Van Halen tunes, is the John Brim cover, Ice Cream Man.
In 2003, Rolling Stone picked this record as one of the greatest rock records of all time. I may not accede with all of their picks, but this is one that I would certainly agree with.
If you don’t own this record, Do NOT pass go, do not collect $200.00. Get you tail to your local record store and pick this up.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Runnin’ With The Devil
2. Eruption
3. You Really Got Me
4. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
5. I’m The One
6. Jamie’s Cryin’
7. Atomic Punk
8. Feel Your Love Tonight
9. Little Dreamer
10. Ice Cream Man
11. On Fire
This was an unbelievable debut album that rocked from head to toe. Diamond Dave was larger than life and Eddies guitar playing was brilliant on this debut. It did change the face of rock music for many years, but not necessarily for the better. He, almost single handedly, ushered in the era of over-played solos heard throughout the glam metal years. It was done to death for about ten years before Slash would finally restore order in the musical universe. Nevertheless, a remarkable album from a remarkable band.
Oh no.no,no!Eddie is da BOMB!VH’s first one is pure HARD rock genius.And when I say hard, I mean HHAARRDD!!!!
I love VH.But have always thought Angus had him beat on the guitar work.No doubt.Van Halen is good though, especially the early stuff.
Oh DAMN!!! That’s why Mr.VINYL doesn’t dig AC/DC,he’s a EDDIE VAN HALEN butt munch.My God! Well it all makes sense.But Eddie is all whammy bar,where Angus is straight blues but quick.And Bon Scott had Roth beat in the vocal catagory.Don’t get me wrong I totally dig V.H.’s first disc,and thier other shit as well.
I knocked it down a point, because it had too many covers. I think they did some of the best cover tunes ever, but I would have liked to have had one or two more original songs.
I counted the guitars three times, because I can’t believe it’s a nine and not a ten. I don’t know what you could ding this record on other than possibly stupid lyrics, but that’s not enough to knock it down to a nine when it changed hard rock forever. The only sad thing is that none of the imitators ever really measured up and so many bands that followed floundered.