Van Halen, Van Halen, 1978
Everything about Van Halen is so communicative -- yes, Van Halen speaks to me. It's transcendental magic how a guitar talks at the beckoning of Eddie's fingers – the guitar is an absolute extension of his essence. If you pay attention, Eddie's guitar is always singing. Always. "Jamie's Cryin'" is pure artistry -- I am forever in awe of how Eddie's ax sings its own layer of the verse chorus verse. Listen … So sexy. So next level. So effortless and intuitive. Virtuoso.
"Runnin' with the Devil" has one of the most powerful intros ever. What an iconic first track of a debut album. High octane but, yet, so sultry. I am a girl who loves Van Halen long time.
Dave is a conversational vocalist and Eddie gives us the emotion ... Alex and Michael are the bonding agent ensuring cohesion. I just want to listen to Van Halen without interruption 24/7 for an entire lifetime. Only a personality like Dave could rise to meet Eddie's explosive talent. Conversely, only Eddie could temper and complement an outrageous personality like Diamond Dave. Forces of nature used for the greater good. The perfect and, yet, most unlikely and unexpected combination. Think about "Ice Cream Man" for a minute ... what in the world, y'all?
Can we talk about these harmonies, y'all? Seriously. And the scat doo-wop breakdown in "I'm the One" is epic. What? Yes, this is an album with amazing depth. Debut? What?
Is it a party or what? Maybe it's a riot. Maybe it's a date or a one night stand? Hey, in my world, Van Halen is the soundtrack for a sleepover.
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