Sammy Hagar: Cosmic Universal Fashion Review
I hate Van Halen! Whether it be the Roth era, or the Hagar era, it all sucks. Every time I hear "Jump" on the radio with its lame synth opening I cringe and fumble over the tuner to change the station. Even when I hear their music in movies I just shake my head and wonder what people see in them. So guilty by association, is Sammy Hagar. Great way to start a review, right? Well I am looking at this album with an open mind, but even with the hard feelings put aside, Hagar doesn’t change my mind.The album opens up with a screeching solo, and follows up with a modern riff, but Hagar’s vocals sound more like angry talking than singing which puts a heavy damper to the song. Then there is a glimmer of hope for Hagar on "Peephole". It’s an aggressive and gritty track with some real bite. It sounds authentic and Hagar’s vocals sear through it all. Then that glimmer of hope fades quickly. The next track, "Loud" sounds like an outsider trying to do a Kid Rock impersonation of Bob Seger.
Hagar is seemingly ignorant to his age. He covers the famous Beastie Boys tune, "Fight For Your Right to Party" giving it a rock overtone while keeping the same basic melody. It sounds completely pretentious and the near senior citizen doesn’t hesitate one bit to let his audience know how much he likes to party. On the sadly hilarious track, "24365", Hagar declares he’ll party just about anywhere–whether it be on the freeway or the bathroom, Hagar is down to party. During the whole album we’re reminded of his degrading old age which makes it just that much more woeful.
Nothing is worse than an artist trying to pull off something he simply can’t do. Hagar falls victim to this and it ends up being quite sad. At 61 years old, he tries to replicate the sound and energy of a young teen, and there comes a time to know when to move on. Hagar can still continue to create new music, but he needs to stay within his boundaries, which are nothing like the ones he had in the 80s.
Grade: F
posted by Jeff at 11:53 AM
15 Comments:
Jeff,
Well, I'm not surprised. I thought Hagar ruined VH way back when, not only because he didn't mesh, but also because he's a real mensch. That said: dude, you don't like Roth-era VH? Sick stuff. What have you heard that makes you hate them? "Jump" is not enough.
Hagar is about the least creative rock artist out there. However, he's a good hard rock singer and executes the formula well. For people who like what he does, he's a sure thing. My review goes up Monday and I wasn't nearly as hard on it, but at the same time, I'm not sure I have a strong argument against the F.
I have to agree with Hatter (again?). Roth-era Van Halen is pretty incredible stuff. I could probably live without Diver Down, but the others are essential. They are stupid, but they (unlike AC/DC) have the songwriting and chops and sense of fun that lets you overlook that.
Hatter - I've heard most of their big hits, and my Mom likes them so they would play them in the house occasionally. I have a tough time listening to anything from the 80s, especially hair metal and anyone who wore spandex/leather pants. The only song I can tolerate from them is "Eruption", and that's because I don't have to hear Roth's voice.
Bob - I actually think I may have went too hard on it. I was close to writing a completely different review but I just couldn't sit through this album. I almost felt guilty writing it, but I decided I would stick with my first impression. I think I could have said a lot worse too if I decided to write about "I'm on a Roll" which had my head spinning with his non stop annoying screams.
I don't like AC/DC, but there was a time that I did. Their music was fun and full of energy, but obviously taking pleasure in that kind of music can only last so long, until you realize that every song is nearly the same as the one before. I never was able to get into VH, at least with AC/DC there was a time when I was really into it. Like I said to Hatter, I have a tough time listening to anything from the 80s, especially when it comes to hair metal or hard rock.
You know, by dismissing hair metal entirely, you might be missing out on a good eight or ten albums.
Bob - I'm willing to listen to hair metal, but it's extremely rare for me to actually want to listen to it on my own time. I always find myself thinking that it sound incredibly corny. One band that I can tolerate more than the others from the genre is Bon Jovi. I don't go out of my way to listen to them, but I also won't change the station if I hear them on the radio. But maybe that's because I'm from Jersey. Then again, I don't like Bruce... (Don't tell Layla that though, lol)
I was being funny about hair metal. Out of the hundreds of records that came out of that scene, there really aren't many that are still worth hearing. I hated Bon Jovi at the time, but I can tolerate them now, oddly enough. Are you sure you don't want that copy of Slippery When Wet?
Bob - I'm pretty horrendous when it comes to picking up sarcasm on the computer.
That combined my poor ability to express it can only spell disaster!
Bob,
Yeah, something's definitely in the water; I owe you several beers. Obviously we don't share the same opinion on AC/DC, but you've got a point: VH was much more joyous and stupid about the whole thing than AC/DC ever were, and that's what makes them so enjoyable to listen to. Hagar didn't bring that with him when he replaced Roth and you can tell.
Jeff,
I suppose VH is for you what Yes is for me. I can't get past the singer. Beyond that, VH has some extremely ridiculous stuff. The same I'm sure could be made for Yes, but I can't hack it.
I thought this album was alright and a little above average. His voice still sounds good even if he has never had a lot great ideas. Although this album seemed like a bunch of tracks that just didn't fit together. It almost felt more like a collection of B-sides and leftovers than an album of new material (new except for the Beastie Boys' cover). The best albums Sammy ever sang on was of course that first Montrose album which still holds up well today.
Mark - This album was just way to dumb for me. I have a tough time listening to dumbed down unoriginal music.
Dude, you like Nirvana!
Bob - Oh no way, Nirvana's music is not dumbed down at all. It may not be extremely original, but what they did in the genre was better than anyone else (in my opinion.) The lyrics were more often then not, intelligent--at least after Bleach. They didn't sing about sex every other song, or about being "Hot for Teacher". Bands that fit that whole sex, drugs, and rock and roll cliche get on my nerves. Exactly why I can't stand 80s hair bands.
By the way, I hope you're not being sarcastic again. Because I don't want to make a fool of myself twice!
Oh, I'm not arguing that Hagar (and hair metal) isn't chock full of stupidity. I'm just saying that Nirvana is as well. Hair bands hate women. Cobain hates himself. Neither one is very smart.
Bob - I know you weren't defending hair metal, but I was just using VH as a comparison for dumb music.
Killing yourself certainly is not a smart thing to do, but I think his lyrics were smart, and he had the ability to write a great song. I don't mind lyrics about self loathing, as long as it's written intelligently (an oxymoron?)
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