Let’s talk about Chickenfoot
This is Chickenfoot's album cover. Awesome.
I’m going to review the Chickenfoot album, but I have to warn you right now: I have nothing original to say. But if you’re reading a review of Chickenfoot, you’re probably not all that concerned with originality.
If you’re a rocker of a certain age, you doubtless have fond memories of the very first time you heard Eddie shred on Van Halen’s eponymous debut album. Eruption was a watershed moment, a sea change, a cataclysmic occurrence. The rest of the band was pretty good, too.
Then, a lot of big egos collided, David Lee Roth got kicked out, Sammy Hagar (of I Can’t Drive 55 infamy) came & went, Roth came & went again, Charone came & went…
Meanwhile, we all got older, got jobs, had families, got divorced, went to rehab, got laid off, got our MBA, got a new job, & went on with life.
Sammy Hagar, however, decided his new career as a nightclub and tequila impresario was somewhat unfullfilling. So he hooked up with fellow Van Halen exile Michael Anthony, über-talented Joe Satriani, and some guy from some other band primarily known for wearing socks on their genitals to recreate his glory days with Van Halen.
Now, Sammy Hagar seems like he’d be a great guy to drink with. He’s plenty good enough to serve as the next Jimmy Buffett for the just-turning-forty alcoholic crowd. But as a singer, he has all the range of a Keanu Reaves character.
The musicians all have great chops. The band is a fairly tight, cohesive unit. The songs are well-crafted, somewhat catchy, & slickly produced. Unfortunately, just like me, Chickenfoot has nothing original to say.
Two stars.
Tags: Album Review, Chickenfoot, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, Van Halen
Sorry Dan
Gotta disagree with you on your review. This album is straight ahead kick-ass rock ‘n roll.
They are not only a fun group to watch (as you can tell they’ve got real chemistry going on) but the songs on this album just say “party.” And that’s enough “originality” for me.
I don’t need deep thinking in a rock ‘n roll album. Don’t we get enough of that in every other aspect of life? Nothing is wrong with having a good time.
And that’s what this album says to me: Good times.
Out of five stars, I give it 4 1/2.
Ditto, Dave.
Lookit, if people want to have “good times” I don’t see why you’d need anything beyond “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang. I can still put that 45 on repeat and keep the room hopping for hours. I can’t understand why you’d need Sammy Hagar to help you with your “good times”…
That said, can it be that bad? I mean, Sammy’s solo record “Livin’ It Up” features backing vocals from the very same Nicole Summerwood who apparently graces a few tunes on “Simple Songs For Dangerous Times” by your precious little Number Prophets.