Van Halen: The Essential Album-by-Album Guide

[Rolling_Stone]

From the First Album to "III," Every Sizzling Riff and Hot Fan KickVAN HALEN (1978)Key Tracks: "Runnin' With the Devil," "Jamie's Cryin'"Quick Take: Van Halen contains all of the band's hallmarks: the bad-boy boogie of "Runnin' With the Devil," the otherwordly guitar wizardry of "Eruption," a swaggering ode to a slut ("Jamie’s Cryin'"), and a hyperenergized, this-is-the-sway-we-do-it-in-Hollywood cover song (the Kinks' "You Really Got Me"). The group's major weaknesses are evident too, such as its lack of lyrical depth, side two duds, and penchants...

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