Van Halen’s debut released TODAY on 180 gram RTI vinyl!
Van Halen Track Listing
SIDE 1:
Runnin’ With The Devil
Eruption
You Really Got Me
Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love
I’m The One
SIDE 2:
Jamie’s Cryin
Atomic Punk
Feel Your Love Tonight
Little Dreamer
Ice Cream Man
On Fire
1/27/09 UPDATE: This item is finally being released today, and is now in-stock at VanHalenStore.com!
(This was originally due for release in 2008, but Warner Bros postponed it’s release until today).
Remastered from the Original Analog Master Tapes by Kevin Grey at Acoustech and Pressed on high quality 180 gram RTI vinyl for the very first time! True Audiophile-Quality!
One of the most explosive and accomplished hard rock albums ever produced, Van Halen’s 1978 self-titled debut altered perceptions of what the guitar could do and it set the template for the sound of rock & roll for the next decade. From the instrumental blow-out of “Eruption” and the gritty pop of “Feel Your Love Tonight,” to the strutting riff of “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love” and the grandiose reworking of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me,” Van Halen amply demonstrates the drive, showmanship and musicianship that would turn them into rock revolutionaries!
- Mastered from the Original Analog Master Tapes by Kevin Grey at Acoustech Mastering, using Half-Speed Mastering for superior sound
- Pressed on high quality 180 gram (180g) weight vinyl for longer life and superior sound
- Features all original artwork & packaging
Most experts agree that the richness and depth of the original master tapes is truly captured only on vinyl. This should sound better than both the original vinyl, and the remastered CD. This baby is worth buying a turntable for!
RELEASE DATE: January 27th 2009.
PRICE: $24.95.
Order it at Van Halen Store
From “Guide to Audiophile LPs” (read the entire article at audiophilelps.com)
It’s no exaggeration to say that vinyl has experienced something of a resurgence in the last decade. In a world of musical convenience gained from the introduction of CDs in 1983 and more recently mp3 players, many ask what the appeal of vinyl is and why people are still buying. It would be easy not to understand its appeal if you have never heard how good an LP can sound on a good music system. From the moment you open a record, the size of the artwork, its touch and smell suggest that its something special, beyond the simple convenience of CDs, but nothing comes close to the experience of listening to it. If you are using a good turntable and hi-fi, playing a record can be a wonderful and enjoying experience, arguably being a much closer experience to hearing the music live - with an analog medium sounding less artificial than CDs and compressed digital formats.
The greater care, craftsmanship, presentation and most importantly the sound quality of audiophile LPs mean that you are getting something truly special, that will allow you to get the very best out of your music system, and enjoy music the way it was recorded and supposed to sound. Many people who head audiophile vinyl are surprised by the details and sounds they can hear on their favourite albums that they have never heard before and the entire experience is like buying the album for the first time and enjoying how good it sounded when you first heard it. What’s more surprising though to the majority of converted vinyl enthusiasts is how much better audiophile LPs can sound in comparison to their CD counterparts, making a real case for vinyl as a format and a luxury for any high end music system that deserves only the very best.
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August 12th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Dang it Jeff, your gonna get me back as a customer on that one. Isn’t there one floating around on Quitex II out there? But in any case as a VH collector and a vinyl collector. I need at least two. I have two copies of Dark Side Of The Moon on 180 gram reissue. That one was pretty much a dud, I hope this isn’t a repeat of that. I also have Dreamboat Annie And Fly Like an Eagle on the 180, but unopened, so I can’t speak for the quality of those. Some of these end up being great, but some do end up duds. DSOTM ended up having distracting sibilance. The copy that I opened also ended up having a double stamped, tore label on the record. I looked at that and wondered where the quality control guy was. The questions I am waiting to get answers to are: Is this going to be dud, match the quality or exceed the quality of the Vinyl issues out there? Is this going to beat the quality of the gold backed CD?
Personally I can’t wait for the answers to these questions.
P.S. When are we going to get VHND chat? I think we need real time VH talk again.
August 12th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Amazingly i still have my copy of Van Halen’s first album, that I bought in 1978! I remember looking at the Album, in stores, before I heard it. I would think to myself,wow!, everyone looks great on the cover and gave me the impression that it would be good, but funny and oddly enough, Ed’s pic didn’t sell it for me, he looked to calm in it, just standing there holding the guitar. Plus you couldn’t see that he had cool hair, lighting is too dark. So I amusingly thought that he would be just some average guitarist and didn’t buy it! lol. But when I walked into a music store and heard this unreal amazing sound, I was floored, and I ran to ask who it was, and was amazed that it was that album that I questioned for weeks! I said ” I knew it would be great!” God, what a dork I was for thinking Eddie would just be some average guitarist!
I’m still blown away today by the amazing sound of the album and I was also very impressed with David Lee Roth’s rich tone and awesome screams! Damn, I still get excited thinking about this Album! I was always hoping they would put out another album just as amazing, but they never did! All others were good, but nothing mind blowing like the first!
Steve ( lead singer for VH - Canada’s tribute to Van Halen)
http://www.myspace.com/vhthetribute
August 12th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Bout time we got some Van Halen news!!!!…I’m gonna buy two, one for listening ( and drooling ) and one for collecting…Vinyl IS final boys and I am buying a turntable…..maybe I’ll put the turn table on a stack of sammy hagar records from the thrift store….
August 13th, 2008 at 10:52 am
“maybe I’ll put the turn table on a stack of sammy hagar records from the thrift store….”
So you’re saying Sammy carries Van Halen? I love the totally uncalled for jabs at the Man who brought either their first #1 record. You guys are all nuts.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:09 am
The urban legend that vinyl is better than a CD refuses to die. The dynamic range of a CD is far wider than vinyl. Sure, the first CDs suffered from poor mastering - but the problem has long been solved. If you consider the sound of a diamond grinding off a layer of plastic part of the recording, more power to you.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Sammy carries Van Halen’……I’m not sure that saying ’sammys records are at a thrift store’ is a jab ,uncalled for , or even a lie. Besides since when the fuck is having a number one record mean you’re happy , sober or sane?!?! Guess that’s some of that money bags- wine lover logic….Hey , we’re not nut’s…Everyone KNOWS Sammy couldnt carry Van Halen….Thanks for pointing that out. P:S Did’nt Michael Jackson have a # 1 record??…….
August 13th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Why must the Dave vs. Sammy argument be never ending. Almost everyone has a preference. Many such as I do not have a preference. It’s the same with the Vinyl vs. CD argument. Just like Sam and Dave, they both are of equal quality, just with different strengths and weaknesses. Everyone with half a brain has heard every angle of a Sam vs. Dave and CD vs. Vinyl argument. People have preferences. Let it rest. There is no point in further debate. Further debate only leads to repeating points and obscenities. As for Robby Venice. It is sad that someone has to post a comment on a Van Halen site aimed to offend half of the other readers who have a different opinion. What does that accomplish? Are you convincing the people who like both or like Sammy more than Dave that Dave is better. Oh holy crap. Everyone is going to start burning their Sammy Hagar and Sammy era VH records now. You would not be happy saying, “I like Dave more than Sammy. I don’t care much for Sammy era VH.” You had to say “maybe I’ll put the turn table on a stack of sammy hagar records from the thrift store….” Obvious fighting words. Pathetic. Go away. No one here is looking to fight the battle you want.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Hey Robby- Mikey J had quite a few #1s. He’s also a pedophile. What’s your point?
August 14th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Kenny…..who is calling names? you are .I just had an opininon,it’s called freedom of speech.I always maintained I liked Both Sammy and Dave , but what I think is Hilarious is your response.You now are the President of the internet and you speak for everyone , not to mention saying things like ’sad’ and ‘pathetic’ .Grow up kenny,you dont run the show,and furthermore guys like you always have something to say but dont have anything to back it up. I like ‘ theREALchris’ because this is just discussion. Hey , ‘realchris’ , thanks for your opinions and i hope that when van halen plays again we both get to see them no matter who is singing! ( hopefully without nosebleed seats!) P:S you too kenny ;=) ….
August 14th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Hey ‘realchris’ I think i just got carried away on that one!….( actually that was my point- i think) oh yeah….just saying M.J had number ones and look at the state of HIS life…But it was nice to see VH go to number one….Wish it coulda been with dave but oh well…Kenny, Just trying to keep it interesting and not such a bore fest …Hey I heard the debate club at the locak high school has some openings…Just saying….
August 14th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I’m just playin the interwebz game Robby. No worries. I get slightly peturbed when I see blatant bashes of either Sam or Dave. It just doesn’t seem right since considering there would be no VH as we all know it and knew it without either of them. Oh well. Might as well Jump back to work. I been getting the Runaround all morning!
August 14th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Van Hagar for Life! (I love throwing that in!)
August 16th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Holy crap! comments should only be about Van Halen’s first album! This album changed rock forever! The sound of guitars have changed, and they way singers perform on stage all due to the birth of this album and Van Halen! There is only one Van Halen, with Roth! For this amazing chemistry is the magic behind the music! NOthing Van Halen did with Hager will be remembered in history, only the Roth albums, mainly this one! So if you don’t own if, you should be embarrassed!
Steve ( lead singer of VH, Canada’s amazing tribute to Van Halen)
Go listen to them at; http://www.myspace.com/vhthetribute
January 27th, 2009 at 6:22 am
to the Sam vs Dave debate which just won’t go away… as I’ve said before I like both, how can you not like what was original… both versions are great. It seems to me however that to the DLR fans, whoever replaced Dave would be inferior. Robert Plant could have taken Dave’s place and you guys would be all uptight about it. now Dave appears to be back in full time, so let’s just hope they can crank out some new music sooner than later. Sammy/Dave ( even Gary) it’s all good.
January 27th, 2009 at 8:24 am
not Gary come on now
January 27th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Jeff, it’s about time…no pun intended. I have been into LP’s for a while now and bought every VH sam and dave LP still sealed off of Ebay. I always couldnt wait to open them and listen to what VH songs were REALLY supposed to sound like. I Have a 1979 Denon Turntable, Denon avc 3030 amplifiers and Polk Audio speakers. This system was made for records. 180 grain is incredible and everyone who buys this will love it. The soundstage it creates is perfect.close your eyes and your in a club with 20 people and Eddie’s 10 feet in front of you. LOL Rick -North Carolina-
January 27th, 2009 at 10:44 am
eddie is now 54. i hope he realizes that the clock is ticking for himself /alex/and dave.if they dont do something in the studio soon,it may never happen.please ed, how about a nice thick double cd with about 20 new tracks on it for release this summer?if it sounds like to much work,just do the cd and forget a tour.tick tock tick………
January 27th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I’m just glad they left Michael Anthony’s picture on the cover.
January 27th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Did anyone get to see the Sam & Dave Tour a few years ago?
What did you think?
For me, Sammy opened(they rotated each night)had a party on stage with The Wabos, Michael Anthony, Gary Cherone(we were in Boston) and the band Boston sang(ending Na Na) on “When It’s Love”. I think it was the best non-VH Sammy Show ever.
Then Dave comes on and says “Look who’s working for me now?” and BOY did he get boohed! Honestly, I was really looking forward to seeing Dave(cause it’s been a while)but I quickly realized he was way past his prime. The vibe of the 12,000 people that were there, ALL DIE-HARD VH FANS, winded down to a dull roar during the first couple of tunes. What a dissapointment Dave was. His band had slightly more stage presence than Wolfie, slightly and reminded me of a $3 VH cover band.
The point is, for a live performance you don’t want to FOLLOW Sammy. Dave’s ego however thought he should close every night, which led to the tour ending 1 stop shirt(NY).
I have always LOVED VH. I Think Dave WAS the best frontman ever, but he couldn’t sustain it and should realize that. Sammy is STILL the enthusiastic, guitar-playing vocalist who appreciates his fans. Dave thinks the fans are there to pay for his home in Malibu. Sammy keeps touring and writing(yeah, so so albums, but he’s WRITING and he’s OUT THERE in front of his fans year after year.)
I know, when Wolfie is out, perhaps we’ll see more of VH. How much will the ticket prices be then $200?? What the FUCK?
Losing patience here….
CHICKENFOOT is all we(VH fans) have to look forward to, and that’s sad. But we’ll see….
January 27th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
shane & scottso that was funny!!1
January 27th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
therealchris,
You’re comparing #1 albums to one of the most influental rock albums EVER!!!!( you might want to pick a different battle)!
Joe Joynt,
All that ASS KISSING for Sammy must mean, you either work for him (cutting grass or waxing cars) or your parents haven’t taken you to very many ROCK concerts!! I can hear you now, “OMG, he had a beachball, straw hat and a girl in a bikini” “No one can follow that”!!
Have your parents take you to see Jimmy Buffett, you’ll be in HEAVEN!!!
January 27th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Just another reminder of how Eddie & Alex are more interested in cashing on the accessories than putting out an album. Yeah Eddie it’s now clear DLR is nothing more than a cash cow as you have no intention of putting out a new album. Quit stringing the fans along or just retire.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Hey Big Al, Sammy is always going to be the best singer Van Halen ever had, so maybe you should start selling straw hats, beach balls, and flip flops at Sammy Hagar shows, and maybe you can enjoy your new thirtyone year old new from Van Halen
January 28th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Hey Big Al-
That was back in August, Big Guy. I was just hammin it up with Robby. Wasn’t comparing anything to the VH Debut.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:36 am
To all Sammy fans: VAN HALEN I !!!!!!!!!!!
January 28th, 2009 at 10:08 am
go sammy go u could take DLR any day
January 28th, 2009 at 10:54 am
what are all these Sammy lovers doing here? you should be on the chickenbrain website
January 28th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Hey Joe i saw the sam & dave show and dave kicked ass ! Sammy is so fake ! To me if your a Van Halen fan you love Dave & Sammys just ok thats the way it is !!!!
January 28th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
When I get it in the mail I wonder if Michael Anthony or Eddie’s kid will be on the cover.
January 28th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Clubfootkolby,
I wouldn’t make much money selling anything at a Sammy show!(Not enough people go to his concerts)!
Totally lost on the thirty-one thing. Unless that’s how many times Sammy say’s Cabo Wabo Tequila during one of his shows or the amount of ticket sales?
Hey, I did the math you left out, Album! I’ll assume you’d rather listen to Cosmic Fashion Universe than VH1? How many straw hats can I put you down for today? For every 2 straw hats, I throw in a FREE beachball or a pair of flip flops half price!!!!!!!
January 28th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Holy crap, what a bunch of useless garbage in this thread. I can’t believe how completely stupid people on both sides of this argument are.
You like who you like. Period. You’re not going to convince the other guy he’s wrong, and he’s not going to convince you. Both incarnations of the band were good in their way, but if you really hate one of them that doesn’t mean you need to spew your garbage at everyone who disagrees.
They were both successful in their day, which I’m guessing was the band’s goal at the time.
As far as VH doing something new, if they don’t want to so be it. It’s not like they need the money, and maybe Eddie’s just tired of dealing with the shit from both Dave and Sam, as well as all the over-the-top fans who criticize him no matter what happens.
Whatever choice he makes in lead singers is going to get knocked by a bunch of fans. If he choose a new one (eg. Gary) it’s going to be almost all of them. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to bother dealing with that. I’d continue to sell my guitars and enjoy myself, living on the royalties from the music, and who cares what the fans think or want. Sure, they’re the ones who pay you the money that you’re living on, but you’re the one that gave them the music they enjoy so much. I’d say that’s a fair trade.
January 28th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Hey Nat,
I for one I’m getting tired of Eddie letting the press know how much he’s in the studio working on a new album. I’m also getting tired since last tour about how Dave’s now the new lead singer of the group…for what reunion tours? Sure they can rest on their laurels and deservedly so! Just quit trying to say another album is in the works say like Axel Rose.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
NAt your 100% right these gus need to find something better to do. But it is fun to get them all riled up over an old band
January 28th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Big Al, I said this before that I like all of Van Halens singers, they all did a great job. Sammy just happens to be the best of the bunch. Also I was talking about thirtyone years since Van Halen one was released and it is one of the greatest albums of all time. But the guys in the band need to put out something new soon.
January 29th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I’ve just got mine. I A B’d it with a Japanese OBI pressing of Van Halen I yesterday. I found the 180 release to be more defined as in each instrument was more pronounced in their respective frequency range(s). The Japanese OBI was more trebley and mixed a litttle bit louder.
I also played a regular version which was much noisier and a little flatter. I’m interested to see what other find.
Classic Van Halen Rules All.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Hey Peedah. I have not gotten a chance to play mine yet cause I just became unemployed and was only able to buy one so far (this one will stay in the package, the next one I get will be played). I had to move so I don’t have my stereo set up here yet anyway. It is a temporary arrangement where I am living. I will now post the most interesting thing that I have seen about this album on a vinyl bloggers site.
“As part of their ongoing vinyl reissue series, Warner/Rhino on Tuesday quietly released Van Halen’s groundbreaking self-titled 1978 debut record on 180 gram vinyl. Advance promotion had credited Kevin Gray as the remastering engineer for the project, yet much to the surprise of those few who have now opened a copy, Gray’s initials, “KG” are not the only ones scribbled into the deadwax. Instead, “KG/SH” can be clearly read. SH are the initials of Steve Hoffman, mastering engineer for the now defunct audiophile label DCC (Dunhill Compact Classics), who was also involved in this mastering. And if one looks further, LPZ-2066, the catalog number of the DCC release of Van Halen, can also be found. That’s right, rather than remastering this title again, Warner/Rhino was somehow able to secure the rights to the DCC master and again press copies of what is undoubtedly the definitive pressing of this record.”
This came from: http://myvinylreview.blogspot.com/2009/01/van-halen-st-180-gram-vinyl-audiophile.html
I have the DCC so I know what to expect. I wonder if it is captured a little better on vinyl than on the DCC CD. Does anyone else have both? I hate that I can’t listen to this. This is exactly the audiophile release I had been hoping for. I think DCC was originally going to release this on vinyl too anyway. Then didn’t.
I would love more posts on how this stacks up to the other releases.