by Mott the Dog
***** 5 Stars Rating
One of the greatest party albums of all time by one of
the greatest party bands of all time, these young tearaway Americans knew
how to rock and enjoy themselves to the limit and beyond.
Discovered by Gene Simmons of “Kiss” after playing
the American club circuit, they were rushed into the studio with
experienced rock producer Ted Templeton and came out with this raw
product.
At the time (1978) it was given no chance, a fully
fledged Rock ‘n’ Roll album at the height of the seventies disco
scene. However, straight to the top of the charts it shot, almost
single-handled killing of disco (for which we should all be eternally
grateful) and giving Van Halen 4 top ten hits along the way.
As
for debut albums this one just about tops the tree, especially for a bunch
of total unknowns.
At least half the songs on this eponymous debut are
still considered one hundred percent solid gold classics. Each band member
establishes his own character in every song. Frontman and showman
extraordinaire Dave Lee Roth pants, rants, screams, and pouts his way
through the album like the old tart he was. Sticksman Alex Van Halen made
his own sound, very heavy drums with plenty of double bass work and open
high hats, always pushing the other members of the band to the limit.
Michael Anthony was the ultimate good time rockin’ bass player. In later
years he had a guitar painted and shaped like a bottle of Jack Daniels.
But the man who really grabbed the headlines was the
soon to become legend Eddie Van Halen creating his own unique style with
legato, palm silencing, fat rhythms, finger pinching, and hand tapping;
almost every song starts with something original from the man. After the
opening salvo of “Runnin’ With The Devil”, Eddie is allowed to let
rip with “Eruption” one minute thirty seconds of guitar that would
change the world of guitar rock forever, revolutionizing the guitar
community and inspiring a thousand imitators into the heavy metal lexicon.
A magnificent debut for sure, but maybe the band should
of held onto a few of their blockbuster tunes to bolster the lean years
that started after 1984 and continued to the present day. (I mean, does
anybody even know who is lead vocalist with them now? And does anybody
care?)
But on this album Van Halen amply demonstrates their
drive, showmanship, sense of fun (Ice Cream Man) and musicianship
throughout, blowing the needle off the scale on such tracks as the old
Kinks classic “You Really Got Me”, “Atomic Punk”, and “Ain’t
Talkin About Love”.
Turn it up and turn on. Party time boys and girls.
Musicians
David Roth – Vocals
Edward Van Halen – Guitar
Alex Van Halen – Drums
Michael Anthony – Bass Guitar
Track Listing
1. Runnin’ With The Devil
2. Eruption
3. You Really Got Me
4. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
5. I’m The One
6. Jamie’s Cryin’
7. Atomic Punk
8. Feel Your Love Tonight
9. Little Dreamer
10. Ice Cream Man
11. On Fire
The
author is a native German speaker, made apparent by some very Germanic
grammatical quirks and a penchant for the use of “k” where “c”
would be more normal in English. Amerika for America being an obvious
example.
The
movie follows the love story between Annakin and Padme (the future parents
of Luke and Leia). Ewan McGregor is now much more comfortable as Obi-Wan
and appears to be enjoying himself more. Ian McDiarmid is brilliant as
Chancellor Palpatine - the growth of this character was the best thing in
Phantom Menace and is continued to great effect here. Count Dooku -
Christopher Lee is an incredibly talented actor and I was amazed at the
power his character holds. If you hated Jar-Jar in the first one you will
REALLY hate him in this one and of course my favourite, Yoda - Never,
ever, turn to the dark side - or else. You have to see it to believe it.
Words cannot describe the awe. Scared? You will be. You will be.
Mott’s CD review: