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Episode 1 covers the 1978 landmark self-titled debut album by rockers Van Halen. Mark, Kevin, Alex, and Chris take you on a historical journey surrounding the album as well as share our favorites and not-so favorites from the album. We go on a deep dive track-by-track listen of this monumental album as well as share personal stories of discovering Van Halen I.
Subscribe, Rate, and Review:
Quick Reviews
Mark One of the greatest debuts of all time, but with some forgotten weak moments.
Chris A shot in the arm for a stale rock scene.
Alex I can only imagine what it would’ve been like to hear this for the first time in ’78. So exciting/refreshing and truly one of the greatest debuts of all time. Fav tracks: “I’m the One” – “Feel Your Love Tonight.”
Kevin What a way to explode into the business. Thankfully, this band kept going for years after such a smash debut.
Love It or Flush It
| M | C | A | K | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Runnin' with the Devil" | 3:36 | L | L | L | L | |
| 2 | "Eruption" | 1:42 | L | L | L | L | |
| 3 | "You Really Got Me" | 2:38 | F | F | L | F | |
| 4 | "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" | 3:50 | L | B | L | L | |
| 5 | "I'm the One" | 3:47 | B | L | B | L | |
| 6 | "Jamie's Cryin'" | 3:31 | L | L | L | F | |
| 7 | "Atomic Punk" | 3:02 | F | L | L | L | |
| 8 | "Feel Your Love Tonight" | 3:43 | F | L | L | L | |
| 9 | "Little Dreamer" | 3:23 | L | L | F | B | |
| 10 | "Ice Cream Man" | 3:20 | L | L | L | L | |
| 11 | "On Fire*" | 3:01 | L | L | F | F |
Love It or Flush It Legend
L = Love. As many as you like.
F = Flush. Must flush at least one track per album.
B = Buy. Purchased for the ultimate LTS “Best Of” playlist for each of us. One per album.
T = Terminate. Should have never even existed. One per album.
The Rules
Each of us must Love, Flush, Buy, and Terminate AT LEAST ONE track on an album, no matter how great or terrible the album is. Whoever wins the “7 for the Buy” section gets an extra Buy or Terminate to use on the album. Because Chris hosts this section and thus cannot win, he gets an extra Buy or Terminate every 4 albums.
Album Information
Van Halen is the self-titled debut studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen. Released on February 10, 1978, the album peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200 and sold more than 10 million copies in the United States, receiving Diamond certification.[3]
The album contains some of Van Halen’s most well-known songs, including “Runnin’ with the Devil“, “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love“, “Jamie’s Cryin'”, and their cover of The Kinks‘ “You Really Got Me“. The 1 minute and 42 second Eddie Van Halen instrumental “Eruption” is considered one of the best electric guitar solos of all time and popularized the technique of two-handed tapping.[4]
