Chickenfoot – Debut Album: 2009

It’s funny that when I got Sammy Hagar’s latest solo album last year, there were flashes of greatness, but it was not his most stellar work, and at the time I remember thinking, Sammy needs a band! Why?

Well in Montrose he had a great band and got to bounce of Ronnie Montrose, then in his first solo years he had Chuck Ruff, Bill Church, and Gary Phil and they were one of the best live ‘bands’ I ever did see (Liverpool 1980) then of course he hooked up with Alex, Eddie & Michael in Van Halen where he really did shine like a ‘diamond’ in a bucket of shit, His ‘solo’ work at this point was also on fire ‘Standing Hampton’ is still one of my all time fave albums.

Then when that all went south, he had his ‘Cabo Wabo’ thing, but it all seemed like Sammy having fun, just doing what he does, playing, living ‘the’ life…

So when I read that he was hooking up with Michael Anthony again and bringing in Chad Smith then adding Joe Satriani to the mix, my ears certainly pricked up, I thought that they would just hang out, play some shows and go, then it seems they were making a record, and that was putting it on the line for sure, so I waited and then this week an album dropped through the door and all it said was ’Chickenfoot’ there are not even any song titles on the back of the damn thing…

So I open the player up and what comes out is special, really special, NO I fuckin’ mean it, I’m one of Sammy’s harshest critics cause when he is bad, oh boy… But when he is good, he’s fuckin’ unbelievable… and this is all that and more…

First of all, the production, fuck me, Andy John’s is on hand for that (what more do you need) and then Mike Fraser mixed the fucker… Holy shit this is analogue in a digital world, the warmth, the groove, the sheer sound, I did not believe modern records could sound so good… This is how vinyl should have sounded on CD… DO NOT GET THIS ON MP3… Don’t be a dick! Listen to this as it was intended, Live, Loud & Clear…

Then there is the songs, these are some of the best Sammy has ever done, from the moment the needle hit’s to the moment it lifts… There is NO filla here fella, just bonafide killer from start to finish, all I did when I got to the end of this cd was to press play again…

This album is what they call ‘straight outta’ the box’ which means you can just put the album in press random and play it straight out on the radio… Make no mistake this is a sheer killing machine of a radio record, the two obvious tracks are ‘Sexy Little Thing’ and ‘My Kinda Girl’ they are the sort of songs you used to hear on AM Radio in the 70’s, Get on your bad motor scooter and ride baby…

There is of course the ‘slow toon’ but this is where you hear the sheer quality of Sammy’s voice, he is one of the best singers ever… Fact… and from those young girl blues, through right now and here on ‘Learning To Fall’ he delivers emotion and feel that you can’t help but weep and shiver, the kind of song that you used to hear all the time before the rock ballad became the reason to live, this ain’t no love song, this is a heartbreaker baby…

The closing track on the album is apt ‘Future In The Past’ for it’s here where you find an artist going backwards to shoot forwards at warp speed, this album does sound retro for sure, but it has the best bits you remember from records of old, but it has a modern twist that delivers songs, do you remember fuckin’ songs! Not one or two, but a whole fuckin’ album’s worth, when was the last time you played a record without hitting the ‘skip button, well listen up fucker’s cause this is THAT album, the one you said ‘they don’t make em’ like that anymore’ well they fuckin’ do now…

Now we have to give credit to the ‘other three’ here (lol) because Chad’s drums are huge, I mean huge, he never did shit like this with the chilli’s, he’s always been a great rock drummer, now he’s free of the shackles, he’s flying, Michael’s bass line’s and backing vocals are as deep and crisp as ever, people can say what they want about VH, but Michael was as important as any other member of that band, in my opinion he was the ‘glue’ that made it stick, Joe sends shivers down your spine with his licks and kicks, he never gets into any self indulgent areas, he just plays like a man possessed, I got the feeling that he’s been back down to the crossroads! And as for Sammy, well it ain’t just about the vocal, remember he can rock out a great lick or two himself and there are plenty of them here to swallow, This is a band, make no mistake, and it’s one on fire…

Do yourself a favour and buy this album, like I’ve said, don’t download it (paid or other) go get yourself a hard copy, give yourself a rock n’ roll weekend, play it loud and remind yourself why you loved rock n’ roll in the first place… I just did…

Then get yer ass down to London on June 25^th to witness this live, because it’s going to be one of the best gigs you will ever see, the best of the past meeting the future… LIVE, LOUD & CLEAR… I’m on me way now… I Can’t Drive 55…

5/5: Jj