Today is the 64th birthday of the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar. He started in the 1970s with the band Montrose before starting his solo career and achieving success with the hit single ‘I Can’t Drive 55.’ From 1985 to 1996, and 2003 to 2005, he was the lead singer of Van Halen and was even inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the group. Nowadays, he’s the lead singer and songwriter of the rock super-group Chickenfoot, which also includes Chad Smith, Michael Anthony, and Joe Satriani. On September 27, the band released their highly-anticipated second album, aptly titled Chickenfoot III.
Right from the introduction to “Last Temptation”, the listener knows they’re going to get some good rock and roll. Hagar’s lyrics rip in with ‘Well I’ve been a sinner all of my days!’ and the album is off and running. The stop-time at the beginning of phrases is a great contrast to the tambourine-driven refrain. Smith counts in “Alright, Alright” and after a little introduction, Satriani and Anthony lay out to let Hagar sing over a drum beat for the verse. While the chorus is a bit repetitive, the song delivers, thanks to the unexpected bridge, great guitar solo, and powerful drumming. The band turns the volume down a bit for “Different Devil” and we hear a song very similar to Bon Jovi or Bruce Springsteen. Rock comes blasting back with “Up Next” and Hagar’s lyrics prove how much of a good time he’s having with this band. “Lighten Up” does anything but, as we hear more power chords from Satriani plus a killer solo.
The tempo slows down for “Come Closer” and Smith plays a great beat over Satriani’s soft chords and Hagar’s pleading vocals. There are great harmonies in the chorus here, as well. With Hagar screaming ‘I need a job!’ during “Three and a Half Letters”, you don’t even need the rest of the powerful lyrics or pounding beat to attract the average Joe’s attention. “Big Foot” was the only single released from the album, and it’s clear why it’s popular with rock radio stations. It references Zeppelin in its lyrics and the Jimmy Paige would be proud of the head-banging style of the music.
Smith and Anthony start off “Dubai Blues” and the blues progression is definitely prevalent in the verses. Anthony’s driving eight-note bass line keeps the song at a killer pace. “Something Gone Wrong” finally brings the listener some acoustic guitars. When the drums finally kick in, the chorus includes extra harmonies and even a banjo to ease the record to a close. (The hidden track, “No Change”, has controversial lyrics and an excellent guitar riff which doesn’t quite explain why it was so hidden)
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