ALBUM OF THE WEEK # 82 VAN HALEN - VAN HALEN (1978) (#1 FROM CRR)

Artist: Van Halen
Album: Van Halen
Producer: Ted Templeman
Band Members: David Lee Roth/Eddie Van Halen/Michael Anthony/Alex Van Halen
Singles: You Really Got Me/Runnin' With The Devil/Jamie's Cryin'/Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Best Single/Best Album Cut: Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love/Atomic Punk (special mention for Eruption)
Best Of The Rest: Once again, everything
RIAA Certification: 10 X Platinum
Album Cover: 10/10

This week I'm gonna post my favorite album from CRR (that's the previous site that I posted AOTW on before Classic Rock Bottom was born. This is an album that has probably been played so much that most of you guys don't really care to hear it again. I can't say that I blame you, but I must say that this still has to be one of the best studio albums ever released, and in my opinion, the best debut album ever. Of course, I'm speaking of Van Halen's self-titled debut from 1978.

The funny thing is, it only reached #19 on the Pop Albums chart, and only two of the albums singles charted at all, and not particularly high. Yet it remains a favorite in the heart of so many rock fans, myself included. It may be the greatest guitar album ever, or at least in the Top 10. Would you believe Rolling Stone only ranked it at #415 on their list of 500 greatest albums of all time. I don't know about you, but that seems a bit low to me.

Anyway, you can certainly still acquire it quite easily if you don't already have it. And you can give it a listen if you want to. Hell, it's not like the reunited band (minus Michael A.) seem to be able to get their shit together whatsoever these days.

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

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Permalink Reply by Scott on December 10, 2011 at 8:32pm

Nothing like opening old wounds! I remember the fuss over this on that other site (which shall remain un-named). Im still bitter about it too! Who's Next shouldve won that easily. Im sure it was rigged, I'm still digging up the evidence I need to overturn this. Oh well it is what it is ... for now!

Definitely the best debut album ever, that I can't argue with. Ive posted this before, but for me, this album is forever linked to Foreigners debut since my brother brought both of them home on the same day. Two of Rocks best debut albums ever... thats was banner day in my musical history, one that changed everything...

On another note, I was watching That Metal Show the other night and they did a Top 5 of Instrumentals and they listed Eruption. Eddie Trunk fussed because Eruption, for all of its influential geetar work, is more of an opener to You Really Got Me than a fully realized intrumental. For arguments sake, I would agree with Eddie, but it still wound up as #5 on their final list.

All said this is one of the rocks most valued releases and for all of its overplaying I will continue to buy it as formats change over time.

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Permalink Reply by Jon on December 11, 2011 at 9:54am

Traded Springsteen's "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" on cassette for this album on cassette with a school chum. Who got the better deal?

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Permalink Reply by Scott on December 12, 2011 at 9:22am

I recall you saying this. You defintiely got the best deal. I cant get into Springsteen at all, and as far as I remember he's made no appearances on this site either.