Van Halen 1978 Album

Van Halen

The album starts by slamming mightily on a damn car horn for all it was worth on “Running with the Devil” – their backstreet version of Black Sabbath’s tri-tone riff – and rumbles on from there. Eddie practically carries this whole deal with nary an overdub from his guitar, playing rhythm and solos with effortless ease. Yet, his playing seamlessly blends in with everyone else. Even on the goofy party cuts like “Feel You Love Tonight” the band shines through with an infectious energy. But of course, the real calling cards are downright dangerous tracks like “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love”, “Atomic Punk”, and the cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”, which the band flips into a sexual powerhouse. If I could give this album 10 out of 5 stars, I would.