By now, you've heard of this supergroup and their surprising success. Number 4 debut on Billboard's album chart. And since you probably know me, you know of my life's work of defending all of Sammy's life's works. I'm pleased to say that no defense is needed here- this is simply a great band.Sammy had famously said some months ago something about rivaling Led Zeppelin. Well, the band quickly abandoned such blasphemous talk- but I understand the concept. If you can picture the time in the late sixties, early seventies; Led Zeppelin, Cream and others were championing a new, heavier, electric form of American blues which was enhanced by new studio techniques and psychedelia from the availability of drugs. The performers in these bands would generally do little more than riff out a basic chord structure and jam on it to their hearts content.
Led Zeppelin eventually took the ballgame to a bigger picture. Maybe it was Plant's sex appeal or maybe just the times. But Zep got some girls to the show and bigger venues were required. Soon, bands were exploiting whatever commerciality they could to grab similar cash, and arena rock was born. Arrangements became tighter, lyrics became safer and choruses got more pronounced.
At it's core, Chickenfoot are doing a very good job of holding on to that pre-arena power rock explosion. Like Zep, AC/DC and even Montrose; Chickenfoot revolves around riffs. It's all very loose and once the ball is rolling, there is no hook - it often doesn't even get back to the main riff. The rhythm section just kicks in and exploits the groove. Throw on some lyrics and a song exists. When an ending can't be contrived, you just get to the next verse, hold the one and then yell, "YEAH". More than a song, you've had a moment... a little relationship.
Satriani feels like he's been working his whole life to get to this point. I am quite familiar with his work, but his catalog is way too extensive for me to truly know. Mostly an instrumentalist and a "composer", I've rarely heard him this playful. Maybe I'm just so taken aback because I've been listening more to singer-songwriters these days. The Okkervil Rivers and the Bright Eyes. Where the song is written and performers are bought in to complete the song. This simply feels more organic than that.
So what about the reason that brought me here? How's Sammy faring? I've always said that I love Sammy most when he takes himself seriously. All that beach party stuff of the 2000's sort of fell flat for me. But here, Sammy keeps it as loose as the music. The lyrics are not structured in ways that he's done before- certainly not in 20 years. It's even how I describe David Lee Roth's lyrics. Where there is no "Johnnie working on the docks" who has tough times but still loves his lady. It's more about painting a broad stroked portrait, where you know what we're talking about, but the specifics aren't dwelled upon. It's about love, it's about never giving up, it's about overcoming, it's about positivity. And when the jamming kicks in, Sammy absolutely stands back and let it just be about the groove. He adds his, "uh" and "oh yeah" but he's not fighting with the band. This isn't a Sammy Hagar solo album at all.
On youtube, you can find "12 Days of the Foot" where the band tackle each song individually in interviews. And it's very entertaining. It's 10 minutes a piece, so have some patience. I'll throw my favorite song so far here at the end. And again, it's not going to bowl you over with literal importance, but you should see how the band starts with one groove, moves into a funky space, jumps a train to some Indian vibe, and the rides it out with a power jam. (4 1/2 of 5 stars)
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