Born from the clubs of LA's Sunset Strip, Van Halen is a manifesto of life lived in the extreme - hot nights in pursuit of booze and babes, all else be damned. An album that embodies rock's basic love of wild, party-hearty recklessness with a shot of danger, Van Halen's personality lives and breathes it's two frontmen, as over a rock solid rhythmic foundation laid down by Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen, Eddie dances on a six-string, nickel plated tightrope, while Diamond Dave gives his best peacock impression throughout the classic disc. Decades later, Eddie's seemingly second-nature abilities still astonish, while Roth is from a land that time forgot, possessing a sense of showmanship and confidence that simply wouldn't make it past today's thought police. Van Halen's timelessness is insured by this cocksure combo of intoxicated revelry and overflowing talent. A solid half of Van Halen has become ubiquitous: "Ain't Talkin' About Love," the steamy "Runnin' With the Devil," hard rock candy of "Jamie's Cryin'," prowling "Feel Your Love Tonight," and the smirking cover of The Kinks' "You Really Got Me." But the rest of the disc is just as stellar, featuring the blazing "On Fire," high voltage aggression of "Atomic Punk" and "I'm the One," jokey blues strutter "Ice Cream Man," and the blurry-eyed "Little Dreamer." And one can't forget "Eruption," a two minute, tossed-off guitar stunt suited perfectly to this album's blaring braggadocio. Ted Templeman's production breathes with a sweaty, live energy, and with it's bulletproof lineup, Van Halen rolls down the boulevard crusin' for action, it's wares on full display, ready to take on all comers. –Ben
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