Chickenfoot CD Reviews
Below are several reviews of Chickenfoot’s self-titled debut album from music critics. We ask our readers to please write your own review below, in our Comments section.
It’s impossible not to be excited about this ridiculously named super-group, which teams former Van Halen bandmates Sammy Hagar on vocals and Michael Anthony on bass with guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. Chickenfoot’s self-titled debut favors straight-ahead rockers like the single “Oh Yeah” or the blues-fed “Sexy Little Thing,” and “Soap on a Rope” sounds like a Led Zep outtake sent back from the year 2019. There are darker, grungy tones on the heavy “Get It Up” and the driving “Runnin’ Out,” which speak to a nation facing crisis. Co-produced by Andy Johns (Van Halen), the set captures the fun energy of a mind-blowing all-star jam: Satriani’s fretwork is surprisingly raw, loose and gritty, while Smith channels John Bonham more than once. But it’s Anthony’s signature backing vocals — set against Hagar’s tequila-rubbed wail — that make these new songs arena-ready.
Chickenfoot, “Chickenfoot” (Redline). While it has certainly been nice having the original Van Halen back on speaking terms and on the road again, it hasn’t been that nice around here—no Van Halen area date for us. No confirmed new album from that band, either. So this, the debut effort from supergroup Chickenfoot—Van Halen alums Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar, with the considerably able Joe Satriani and erstwhile Red Hot Chili Pepper Chad Smith making like Eddie and Alex Van Halen— will satisfy your VH jones for the time being. The record is exactly what the band’s membership suggests it would be—a big, fat, funky, sprawling riff fest, with killer hard rock/blues wailing from Hagar, those instantly recognizable high vocal harmonies from Anthony, and enough six-string histrionics to satisfy the shredder lurking within us all. Maybe these guys will deem Buffalo worthy of a visit. Play it loud. (3.5 stars)
We’re all in agreement that the comparison is inevitable, yes? Former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony alongside an established guitar god and a bona-fide powerhouse drummer? Seriously, what did you think it was going to remind everyone of?
And, yeah, sure, it sounds good on paper: Van Halen’s ex-singer and ex-bassist alongside six-string wizard Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. But let’s face it: these types of things usually sound good in theory, but don’t quite gel when it comes time to put up or shut up.
Which makes it all the more surprising that the result here is a fairly stellar rock album by an exceptionally cohesive and surprisingly relevant band.
Of the 11 tracks on “Chickenfoot,” 10 are credited to the writing duo of Hagar and Satriani, and there apparently is something to be said for pairing Hagar with a songwriting guitar virtuoso, because these songs, and Hagar’s vocals on them, are easily the best work he’s done since splitting with the Van Halen brothers. (The 11th cut? “Down the Drain,” a filthy-good blues-rock number that’s credited to all four band members, who played it precisely one time while warming up in the studio; the tape just happened to be rolling.)
And then there’s Satriani. Everyone knows he can work a guitar like nobody’s business, but soloing your way though instrumentals is a very different thing than co-writing and performing an album’s worth of music meant to be sung over. Turns out he’s great at that, too. In fact, he sounds more than comfortable hanging back and pumping out hook-laden rhythm riffs that keep the songs chugging along. An added bonus? When the time comes for him to take a guitar solo, he does so with a combination of skill, flair and tone not heard on a band-oriented rock album in years.
Also key to the success of this studio experiment is producer Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones), with whom Hagar and Anthony first worked on Van Halen’s 1991 set, “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.” As he did on that album, Johns has created with “Chickenfoot” a positively huge-sounding arena-rock monster, complete with a fat low end that places Anthony and Smith as far out in front as Hagar and Satriani.
The icing on all of this, of course, is hearing a batch of new music that features Anthony’s signature background harmonies, a key part of what made Van Halen sound like Van Halen. His and Hagar’s voices always sounded incredible together, and the passage of time has done nothing to diminish that. (Memo to Eddie and Al: What the hell were you thinking?)
Look, either you liked Van Halen with Sammy Hagar, or you didn’t. (And, please, let’s not argue about it; over the past 20-plus years, none of you have convinced the other side to change their mind, so let’s just give it a rest already, shall we?) If you are a fan of the so-called “Van Hagar” era, then listen up: run–don’t walk–to wherever it is you get your music from and grab a copy of “Chickenfoot.”
Key tracks: “Get It Up,” “Turnin’ Left,” “Soap on a Roap,” “Down the Drain” and “Future In the Past.” (Yes, there really are that many key tracks on this album. Seriously.)
OPINION: Silly Name; Super Group
The economy stinks and times are tough, but at least we’ve got Chickenfoot.
Yes, Chickenfoot the new “supergroup” teaming Van Halen outcasts Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony with guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith.
Chickenfoot’s self-titled debut disc arrived Friday, though if you’re hesitant, hop onto YouTube or MySpace to sample full-length tracks “Soap on a Rope,” “Down the Drain” and the radio single “Oh Yeah.”
Those songs really smoke, thanks to the rhythmic stomp and swagger of Smith and Anthony and the groovy guitar interplay between the feisty Hagar and the flashy-fingered Satriani.
Sure, the lyrics might make you wince, not that anyone expects much from Hagar, who reached his poetic peak a quarter century ago with “Go on and write me up for 125/post my face wanted dead or alive/take my license, all that jive/I can’t drive 55.”
But, hey, we look elsewhere for profound statements; Chickenfoot will be handy if it just continues to churn out simple but alluring, old-fashioned summertime rock that sounds fiery and fuzzy blasting from your car stereo.
Catch Chickenfoot’s first Pittsburgh-area show Aug. 5 at Riverplex Amphitheatre at Sandcastle.
What do you get when take half of a hugely successful arena rock band, a mega talented solo guitarist and the drummer from a funk-rock, alternative act? A mixed bag, that was quickly called a ‘Supergroup’. For everyone keeping score at home, supergroups rarely live up to the hype, but this one, called Chickenfoot, has all the appropriate ingredients as each member have all had careers that are the definition of success. But can they make good music together?
When I first heard about this band I was cautiously optimistic. I love Sammy Hagar and everything he does. I also happen to think that ‘Mad’ Michael Anthony is an extremely underrated bassist and possibly the best background vocalist of all time. Once you add Joe Satriani the inevitable Van Halen comparisons begin. Toss in the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith and things get interesting, to say the least.
The first two tracks I heard from Chickenfoot were released via their website a month or so prior to the album’s release. “Soap On A Rope” and “Down The Drain” were early indicators that these guys were for real. The good news? The entire album delivers on the promise of these two songs. Highlights include “Sexy Little Thing” (my favorite track from the album), “Oh Yeah”, “Runnin’ Out”, “Get It Up”, “My Kinda Girl”, “Turnin’ Left” and the aforementioned “Soap On A Rope” and “Down The Drain”.
An initial run through the album might leave the listener feeling as if these are some pretty basic tunes. It’s the second and third time that you start to notice how well crafted all of these songs are - truly a sign of the collective experience of the band’s four members. Guys this age are usually recycling their greatest hits, not writing new songs of any significance.
Prior to hearing any of the songs, I wondered how Satriani would function in a band environment. He’s a wildly talented genius whose ability is totally capable of overwhelming the other elements of a song. The entire band sounds as if they’ve played together for years and Satch’s playing, while perhaps a tad understated compared to his normal style, is quite possibly his best. Upon multiple trips through the album you start to notice these subtle, yet brilliant touches that he scatters throughout the songs.
Another highlight of the album comes courtesy of Michael Anthony. His trademark background vocals are, of course, heard throughout the album, but it’s his bass playing that is the real treat. I’ve always thought of him as a very capable musician, but he’s taken his craft to a new level with Chickenfoot. This is the best bass playing of his career.
Confirming my belief that in the last 10 years album production has become something of a lost art, Andy Johns does a superb job of capturing this band’s layers of sound. Lately, it sounds as if every album that is released has passed through the same filter, yielding a very familiar, yet bland computer generated sound. There are so many subtleties to uncover on this album that at some point earphones are required. A sound this warm and three dimensional hasn’t been heard in years.
Sammy Hagar made a statement comparing Chickenfoot to Led Zeppelin, but he later retracted this statement, claiming he was drunk. I’m not sure who to compare the band to because, to me, they have a sound all their own. I refuse to compare them to Van Halen. If anything it sounds like four guys who really like each other got together and made an album. To that I say, job well done and what took them so long?
With a name like “Chickenfoot” I wasn’t sure what to expect from this new supergroup made up of world-renowned guitar god Joe Satriani, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith and ex- Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar and bassist Micheal Anthony.
Do you take the name “Chickenfoot” seriously? The album art does have a distressed look and the “K” is reversed. But at the same time the cover is heat-sensitive and reminiscent of a mood ring. (When touched the black surface become opaque, revealing an image beneath.) Still pretty badass, but definitely fun-loving at the same time.
Which is exactly what their self-titled debut album (it dropped today) conveys. Some might want more serious rock riffs from these four rock legends but Chickenfoot keeps it a bit lighter. The opening lines of “Sexy LIttle Thing” made me want to dance around my room with a hair brush microphone while imagining slightly younger, slightly studlier men singing to me. Despite their age these rockers still pulled me in with hit “Oh Yeah” when Hagar sings “Hey I just want to be your Hootchie cotchie man/To get you in and out of my head.”
But have no fear, the whole album isn’t all slightly cheesy lyrics balanced with some killer guitar solos. Some songs like “Avenida Revolucion” have more serious undertones, “from here there ain’t no turning back/crossing the borderline/into the fire,” which deals with thoughts on illegal immigration.
Ultimately, no, Chickenfoot is not better than Led Zeppelin (like Hagar tried to say in an interview) but they sure have created quite the buzz. The chemistry these dudes created while first jamming at Hagar’s club, Cabo Wabo Cantina, in Cabos San Lucas is evident. While they are still hardcore rockers Chickenfoot clearly doesn’t take themselves too seriously and their debut album doesn’t want you too either (see the ChickenMash montage below, which features clips from “Avenida Revolucion,” “Soap On A Rope,” “Sexy Little Thing,” “Oh Yeah,” and “Get It Up”). So pop this bad boy in the 6-CD changer, roll down the windows, pump the volume and cruise to this perfect summer rock album.
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June 8th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I’d say some great reviews overall. As awesome as Joe is, he is ten times better with vocal passages between his riffs and solos … like a spotlight being turned on and off. The last 2:30 ride out on ‘Future Is The Past’ is solid rock gold. Simply beautiful back and forth between Joe and Sammy/Mike.
June 8th, 2009 at 11:06 am
All the songs from this album are great… i can’t wait to see the 5th of july in Lignano Sabbiadoro…
June 8th, 2009 at 11:24 am
The Foot has cometh and it has kicked our Ass!!! And it was GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Sam was right when he implored VH fans to come get this. This is basically Van Hagar with a shredder on the guitar(not necesarily better than EVH, just different), and a different drummer. I love AL, but while they sit on the sidelines touring with the same ancient songs, how about we get something new. CHICKENFOOT is a 5 star album. The VH influence is undeniable, but Chad Smith gives the rhythm section a sort of “Led-Zep, John Bonham” feel. Satch is a shredder on the guitar and they all fit in nicely. Let’s hope these guys stay together for another few albums. Rock and Roll is pure trash nowadays, and this was sorely needed.
June 8th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I’m a huge Sammy fan and a big VH fan. This disc is mediocre at best. Some good songs, Get it Up, Turnin’ Left, Future is in the Past. The majority of it sounds like Sammy is stuck in a rut. As a matter of fact, there’s a breakdown in one of the songs that sounds just like the melody in the VH song Best of Both Worlds (you don’t have to die and go to heaven). Still, it’s worth buying and listening to.
June 8th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Yeah, great disc… There’s so few people making music like this now that it’s great for that reason alone, but some of these songs are fantastic. The second half of Future In The Past is as good as anything Sammy or Joe have ever put their names to.
June 8th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Avenida Revolution - Excellent
Soap On A Rope - Very Good
Sexy Little Thing - Good
Oh Yeah - Very Good, but I’m already getting tired of it
Runnin’ Out - Very Good
Get It Up - Excellent (my 6 and 3 year old kids love this one)
Down The Drain - Very Good
My Kinda Girl - Eahhh
Learning To Fall - Could do without it
Turnin’ Left - By Far the absolute best song on the album!
Future Is The Past - OK
All in all, a very good first album from a bunch of old guys. I’m looking forward to seeing them live. Sammy’s lyrics could use some work though.
Woof!
June 8th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Who came up with the stupid term “supergroup”? Probably the same idiot who came up with “diva”. Are they going fight crime with their instruments?
June 8th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I listened to this Album a few times before adding this comment.
This album has a lot of great songs. I personally like “Soap on a Rope”, “Down the Drain” and “Bitten by the wolf” the best..
There are a couple with the Darker tones that are just “all right”..
If you really listen to how the music is played..it’s incredible. There is always some intricate things going on with the drums/guitar/base, none of the ’standard’ beat you hear in 90% of the music out there…
I know Chad is heading back with Chili’s this fall..but I’m sure after this tour Chickenfoot will be back in the studio next Spring for a 2nd disk…and I’ll be waiting for that as well..for now Chickenfoot has gain a home in my MP3 favorites.
This isn’t a purely commercial disc to gain radio-play. These songs are fun and rock’n tunes…just what the doctor ordered.
June 8th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
When are you gonna change the name at the top to “Chickenfoot News Desk?”
Woof, woof!
June 8th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
10 out of 10. Awesome. The long awaited return of real hard rock. This is the first new album that I have gone out and purchased the day it came out in the last 10 years. Well worth it. Great harmonies on “My Kinda Girl”..surely a radio hit to come.
June 8th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Oh, and I think it’s a bunch of crap they didn’t put “Bitten By the Wolf” on the cd. I haven’t owned a turntable since 1989!
Triple woof!
June 8th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I absolutely love it. I could do without “Oh Yeah” (why did they choose that one to play on Conan?) but the rest of the tunes are solid as can be. Future in the Past gives me goosebumps - great song. Accoustic feel to the beginning into a funk section, then a middle eastern sounding section followed by an outro that - and someone here already said it - is as good as anything Sammy or Joe have put there name on. I’m gonna wear this disc out in about a week.
PS - Have to agree that the decision not to include “Bitten by the Wolf” makes no sense at all.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Sherm…when are you going to take off those spandex pants?
June 8th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Wow how weird is this?
Positive reviews from critics about Chickenfoot!
It’s a shame that the doubters tried to ruin this on here!
The Foot is going to stomp all over the summer with this great music!
June 8th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Bitten by the wolf should of been on the cd….overall, a very good album!
June 8th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
This is a review i wrote for my blog:
“Don’t forget to bring your rocking shoes” is a line that Hagar and backing vocalist/bassit Micheal Anthony suggest to listeners of their self titled debut album, “Chickenfoot”. What started as a side project of ex Van Halen’s Hagar & Anthony jamming with Chili Pepper Chad Smith, turned into an incredibly explosive band, and the riffs that virtuso Joe Satriani churns out are both imaginitive and creative.
As you can probably tell, I’ve been absolutely stoked for this band for quite a while. I’ve been following it since sometime last year when it was just mentioned to be a small Hagar/Smith/Anthony affair.
So what to say about this album? This is pure rock. There is a funk element, some blues thrown in there, and alot of the old fashioned rock and roll that these rockers either grew up on, or churned out in their heydays in the 80s.
The thing I like so much about this album is that it doesn’t pretend to be something its not. As soon as somebody explains who is actually in this band, you immediately conceive a certain sound and element which is pretty much exactly what you get on the CD. What is great is that Micheal Anthony is given so much more scope and room to move. Critics have suggested that Satriani should be sharing a recording studio with the likes of Billy Sheenan. The truth is, Anthony is superb on this album. The backing vocals are not only some of the best he’s produced, but theres more of it. And his bass playing is very experimental and full of trills and little fills here and there. There are probably about 3 or 4 Van Halen songs where Anthony is putting out some fills, and its noticeable live, but this album really lets him shine.
Drums from Smith are also very solid. Bit of AC/DC here, bit of Led Zeppelin there. Some Chilis in other parts of songs. To be honest, Chad seems so in his element with this type of music you almost forget he’s from a funk/alternative rock band. And he’s also the youngest of the group at 47.
I particularly enjoy Satriani on this album. Being a long time Eddie Van Halen fan, its not exactly hard to make comparisons or start “whos better than who” arguments on various websites. I can understand why people suggest he’s limited in this kind of band set up. However, the riffs he’s come up with kick the living hell out of quite a lot of modern songwriters’ efforts, and when it comes to a solo, nobody will be complaining.
Hagar is pretty much what you’d expect on this album. Song names like “Oh Yeah” and “Runnin’ Out” suggest the normal cheesy lyrics and “the world has problems” ideology that hasn’t served him too well before. This definately betters his last solo effort last year, and his voice sounds a lot better than it has in quite a few years.
Okay, so i’m a bit biased towards bands like this. As you can tell, I’m a pretty hardcore Van Halen fan. However, the reason I’m so pleased about this album is that its an effort that is full of life and excitement. It brings out the “if only I was alive in the 70s” thoughts that every teenage rocker has from time to time. But this is a chance to experience something a bit retrospective from a band that has so much excitement and vigour to offer any listener.
I’m becoming less and less bothered about them covering Van Halen live as this music is ballsy. It will roundhouse kick you in the face while you’re driving your car and laugh when you pile into a ditch at 60. Good on these guys for making a first class effort.
June 8th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hey guys!
Isn’t it great to hear new quality hard rock music.
I am completely stoked. I have either listened to the disc in my truck or had my mp3 headphones all weekend.
I am really happy this has been a successful debut for all the members of Chickenfoot especially Mikey. He deserved it most after what he has gone through.
Keep rockin folks!!
June 8th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
BTW- These excellent reviews are really gonna be hard for all the haters on here to swallow so be easy on them.
Nah! Screw-em
Up yours haters!!!!!
June 8th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
up all night listening to it , i LOVE that its TWO LP’s- that gives the tracks more space for the grooves.
- production :
excellent. andy johns really brought out there best and wisely let mike’s role be very clear and discernable .
i love the line from the review ” ed, al ..what were you thinking ? ” LOL!
very impressive , sounds like a supergroup-caliber record.
- performance :
superb . chad smith is amazing , a LOT of character to his palying , not just loud and fast - very playful complex at the same time.
mike finaly got his moment to shine. VH fans should by this record if for no other reason than mike has the floor and OWNS IT.
joe is great , definately not eddie-like but as-amazing , and really brings a bit of dicipline and scale/scope to the mix. they needed a serious ( by comparison ) guy in the mix to balance the MANIACS !
sammy : sings great , lyrics are all over the map . some are as good as ” right now ” some just formulaic. man- he has pipes !!
not to sound repetitive , but he needs some more focus to the lyrics in some cases. but all in all this is his best full-album since van hagar.
the songs :
loved ‘em.
the sound :
vaguely vanhagar-ish becuase it can’t NOT sound like van hagar with HALF of van hagar . but chad and joe change it so much that it is something new .
i am a BIG fan , and this is the most exciting VH-spinoff yet.
4.5/5
June 8th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
i HAVE to repeat :
this is MIKES long-overdue moment .
he was under-used in VH and its their loss.
June 8th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
This is the first album by anyone, VH or otherwise, in a long time that actually made me want to head out for a drive so I could listen to it.
June 8th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
In the end I’ll give it a 7 out of 10. Some of the jams between Chad, mike and Joe are stellar and the best I’ve heard in years. Joe’s best stuff since the early 90’s, by far. Sammy? Sings better now then he ever did, period. Songs? Some stinkers in there, but then even they have their moments.
Best song? Get it up.
Lamest? Learning to fall and My kind of girl.
The rest? Somewhere in the middle.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Unbelievable album!! In todays times we rarely get to see some REAL Rock n Roll come across our record stores. This album is definately that!! Each and every song has such raw emotion, and unreal energy! Thanks Chickenfoot…
Looking forward to the show in North Carolina August 27th…
Sammy Hagar is just a class act, one of a kind guy, oh yea, and a bad ass vocalist! Michael Anthony is the king of the bass guitar…heres some jack to ya Mikey!! Chad smith I believe is playing his best percussion right here in The Foot, Great work chad, and what more could be said about the Great Satriani…this is a classic album, and a band that is already Legendary!!! Kick ass!!!
June 8th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
The album is great. Period. I wasn’t a big Van Hagar fan but this is really good. Get it up is sick.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Did anyone else notice the Live Daily review? I find it interesting that 10 of 11 songs are only credited to Sam and Joe! I thought Sam was such a cool, classy and in it for the fun, kinda of guy? I quess Ed isn’t the ASSHOLE you all thought he was! He shared writting credit and royalties EQUALLY with ALL 4 members!!
LONG LIVE KING ED!!!
June 8th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
I’m still not a fan of Sammy’s lyrics but I have to admit the band has put together one hell of a good rock disc. I listened all the way through and with the exceptions of “Oh Yeah” and “My Kinda Gir” (which I probably would have dug with intelligable lyrics) this is a must have for any fan of good rock n roll.
My wife actually told me I had to put aside my opinions of Sammy because the tunes sounded good and she was right, well worth the price I would say. My favorite tracks are without a doubt “Give It Up” and “Future In The Past”.
I’m still stickin’ to my guns though with Sam, if he would have put some more effort into his lyrics this would have been a classic, he voice does SOUND good though and the drums, bass, and guitar really pick him up.
June 8th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
edward is a egomanic. not having mike they will sound like dog shit on the next record.
it will be hard if not impossible to replace his vocs.
Sammy hagars best work is when he is in bands with other great players like in montrose, van hagar and now chickenfoot
FINALLY after the release of Balance i am getting my fix!
that is over 10 years people.
this is really the next van hagar album but of course
satch plays with more soul and rawer than edward.
i still look forward to the next vh album but this is sam’s eat em and smile for sure.
he needs to stop making silly solo discs and keep this band going! the are the modern day MONTROSE!!!
kick ass!
he is a avg. to mediocre talent as a solo artist.
dlr said that!
June 8th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
The reviews are right. For a debut album and one tune being tossed together in the studio from start to finish, I’ve been playing the Foot since its release.
I wasn’t really a Satriani fan prior to this album (due to my ignorance more than anything else), but his work is tremendous. Chad Smith throws in some pounding drums and I’m sorry Wolfie, but Michael and Sammy even run a duet lead vocal for one of the tunes. Wonderful to hear Michael’s signature singing voice and makes many of the tunes sound like Van Halen. If you didn’t think Michael could play bass, this is the album to listen to. The guy is very underrated and knows when to shine, musically and vocally.
Sammy’s lyrics (Running Out of Content) are tongue and cheek at best. I believe we saw Sammy at his best when he was writing tunes like Mine All Mine, Best of Both Worlds, and When It’s Love. I agree with one of the previous posts. If lyrically the songs would have been a little better thought out, the album would be a classic. Musically, it’s a classic in my book. Lyrically, it’s Mas Tequila meets surfer guitarist. Yet, perhaps the world needs a little tongue and cheek, go bang my girlfriend in the am and pm, lyrical prowess in today’s overly depressing world.
After listening to Chickenfoot and Michael Anthony once again, all I can say is the Van Halen camp made a huge mistake by not reuniting the original four.
The Foot has the upper hand…
June 8th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
By the way, I believe the last original stuff Ed did was for a porn flick shot at his house.
When it comes to success, and I’m not referring to money, Sammy and Michael have the edge. While Eddie has reinvented the same guitar over and over and listed a bunch of merchandise under the EVH logo, he hasn’t produced new music. Sammy and Mike have maintained their chops and developed new music together over the years (even with Neil Schon and Dean C). They have fun and it shows…now, Van Halen seems to be bitter and Ed can’t remember how he treated others.
How about if Extreme opens up some Foot shows!!!!! Valerie can dance around in her bikini and they can do shots. Now that’s a show my friends.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
i like the idea of valerie dancing around in her bikini! it would be a great opening act!
June 8th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Big Al, if Eddie is such a classy guy when it comes to giving credit and royalties then why did he make Mikey sign all his rights away for the 2004 tour?
Why does he love to accuse Sammy, Mike, and even Dave when he was solo of stealing HIS music.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
This album is stellar. You need to listen to it many times to fully appreciate it. A few cheesy lyrics but overall amazing work.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
completely underwhelming schlock.
there isn’t one decent song on the whole album.
sammy’s voice sounds great, but the songs are dumb and satriani barely shows any of his skills.
i can’t believe people are really driving around listening to “oh, yeah!”.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Amen Ace..
The only one taking the high road here is Mikey. Mike’s doing the right thing by not entering into a war of words with Ed and letting his music and his own legacy speak for itself. The fans know Mike’s a class act. Mike doesn’t need to stoop down to Ed’s level. I think Ed forgot his 12 step program steps. Ed needs to take a page out of the book of the life of Mikey to be a class act instead of a classless act. Mike knows when to party and when to stop. Too much hard partying, drugs and alcohol have killed any semblence of reasonable thought Ed may have had. Unfortunately Mike has to defend himself from comments made by his high egoness Ed. Without Mike, there would not have been the presence that was VH. Ed and Dave would have beaten each other up a long time ago and there would have been no legacy other than Ed going onto being one of Kiss’s guitarists thanks to Gene Simmons.
Bought the album, there are a few sleepers, but for the most part it rocks. Bitten by the wolf is one of those Zeppelin moments that you don’t see on many albums. It’s a great bluesy, ballsy track. Joe’s fret work is amazing as always. I’ve missed Mikey’s vocals and pounding bass guitar (he shreds here btw ED). Chad’s stellar. He’s proven his versatility as an all around drummer. Sammy can yell all he wants. Don’t let the brothers keep ya down. VH wouldn’t have sold half of what they did without Sammy during the late 80s and 90s. All in all, it’s a good listen.
Now we have to wait another year for his high holiness to get his Ego and act together for any VH ablum. It’s been about 10 years since any NEW material (I’m counting 3 here, hell, even Extreme had a new album this year). I don’t count BOBW since it was only 3 songs and not an album. I’m in I’ll believe it when I see it mode with anything Ed says.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Your name wouldn’t happen to be “dick” would it?
Oh yeah… it is!
June 9th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Here’s the Allmusic.com review
Supergroups are often motley groups seemingly formed at the end of an after-concert party but few are quite as strange as Chickenfoot, an endeavor featuring Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, guitar legend Joe Satriani, and drummer Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. These four musicians are tied together by their many years playing in the arena rock trenches, a circuit that doesn’t necessarily yield common musical ground although it does lend its veterans a certain knack for pleasing crowds. This eagerness is evident on the band’s eponymous 2009 debut, which should come as no surprise seeing that Sammy Hagar has never seen a party he couldn’t rock, but this mentality doesn’t quite jibe with Satriani’s immaculate, tightly controlled playing. Satch always seems to want to burst out but can’t help leaning on precision, a problem that’s the polar opposite to Hagar’s let-it-all-hang-out philosophy, and this dichotomy is mirrored in the rhythm section, where Anthony’s chugging bass doesn’t quite fill the gaps Smith leaves. All this means is that Chickenfoot’s big picture is roughly in place but the pieces don’t quite fit, but that doesn’t stop the group from trying to force it, with Sammy sounding as awkward singing about south-of-the-border drug runners as Satriani does spinning off complicated riffs on party rockers. There’s too much professionalism for this to be a trainwreck but the whole thing is rather laborious, with everybody working far too hard to have a good time.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:12 am
It’s been over a decade since we had a REAL rock album, so thanks a lot guys for delivering on all fronts. By far the best rock album in many, many years and I am sure the upcoming tour will burn down the barns across the country.
The one word that best describes Chickenfoot is “relentless”. I’ve been in this business all my life and have seen a shitload of bands and shows and rarely get excited. This, I can’t wait to see live.
See you at the Halifax Rock Fest - I’ll chill down the tequila for ya !
June 9th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Ace and Vhrocks,
Mike makes a nice living on his Van Halen royalties (which he didn’t write any of the music for). If chickenfoot was the only band Mike was ever in, he wouldn’t receive any royalties!
That makes Ed a classy guy. Drunk and Sober!
Mike didn’t write any music and gets NO credit from Chickenfoot!
That makes Sammy what?
Sounds like Chickenfoot is a Sammy and Joe side project and not a band!!! Or at least one that doesn’t like to share!!!
June 9th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
New Foot album
Ok, ok I will admit it. As a die hard VH fan, of course I would buy the album and give it a chance, and though I am sure I will p*** some people off, here is my opinion:
Chad Smith - Gotta love him and he can go wherever the music needs him to go. 9 out of 10
Joe Satriani - 10 out of 10 - How could it NOT be this way?
Mikey - Great guy, plays a solid base on the album, good background vocals that have been missed for a long time. Is he the EVH / Satriani / Vai of bass? No 8 out of 10
Sammy - As a fan of VH, VHagar, Solo Hagar, etc., I wish the man could come up with some different lyrics at times. If I hear how good his wife is at EVERYTHING sexual one more time, I am going to hang myself like David Caradine. I love his energy, ability, and all the other items he brings to the table, though his screeching and need to over shadow the other instruments can be cumbersome at times. 8 out of 10
Some good songs, especially good for drinking beer and hanging out, but Zeppelin like? Nope - Montrose or the first post VHagar Sammy album - Damn straight
Now that I have p***ed off quite a few of you, look at it this way. I bought the album, enjoyed most of the songs, and am really glad that someone from VH / Hagar is still putting out records! With three VH family members as the core group, maybe Eddie’s new wife will sing and they can be the new 09 version of Hansen!!
Peace!!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
I dug the album and agree with most of the posts here. Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised. OK, some of those lyrics are goofy, but there’s no doubt that Sammy works best alongside a virtuoso! These are the best songs he’s done since 1991.
Two comments on the Chickenfoot album that I haven’t read so far on this thread:
1. This album SOUNDS great — drums, guitar, bass, vocals all sound powerful and LIVE. Andy Johns did an incredible job. If we ever get a new VH album, we should all PRAY that the drums and guitar sound half as good as this. (Honestly, listen to CF side by side with the tracks from BOBW. You’ll be horrified at the drum and guitar sounds from Al and Ed by comparison.)
2. It sounds to me like Sammy is borrowing from / paying tribute to quite a few classic rock songs (and at least one of his own) in the lyrics. Just from “Oh yeah” —
– “Oh, Lord, I could sing” is a line from “Eagles Fly” (from the “I Never Said Goodbye” album and a Van Hagar concert staple).
– “Hoochie Koochie man” has got to be a reference to “Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo”
– The “Oh baby” refrain in the bridge sounds like a Led Zep vocal line to me, but I can’t put my finger on it.
Is anybody else hearing these references? And are there others that I’m missing? I feel like I’m on an Easter egg hunt, listening for other carefully-placed song references. Personally, if they’re intetntional, I think that’s pretty clever songwriting.
June 10th, 2009 at 5:13 am
Not too shabby…so far my faves are “Avienda Revolution” and “Turnin’ Left” (probably the best song on the cd and the most “Van Hagarish”). Sammy should get some assistance with writing lyrics…as usual, I felt some of Sammy’s lyrics lacked poeticism (and I don’t mean rhyming) and were a bit sophomoric at best. But, his voice sounds great. Musically, these guys sound good together, and Mike’s back up vocals are great as usual! I always thought Joe should move beyond being a “virtuoso” and get into a real band. I would like to hear “Bitten by the Wolf”…what a brilliant marketing strategy to only release it on vinyl…NOT!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:23 am
How did Ed “MAKE” Mike sign over his rights to Van Halen? Did he have a knife,or a gun? Mike probably knew it was over after the tour,just as I’m sure Sammy did too. It’s called money…It still makes the world go round. You fools need to get over it. Buy the Chickenfoot album & enjoy it. Good album…not great. Same ol’ cheezy mindless Sammy lyrics. Good vocals. Great musicianship. Sounds like VH with a different guitarist and a not-as-good drummer. Lets hope they tour like crazy or I’m sure it will be forgotten by fall.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:29 am
I forgot the most obvious classic rock song reference from “Oh Yeah” — the “Spinning Wheel” in the last verse. I know there have to be more…
June 11th, 2009 at 6:06 am
WTF is up with all those lyrics critics ??????
I have been listening to the same shitty arguments for the last 30 years and nothing has changed. What you lyric critics always forget is that it is about the MUSIC, that is why it is called MUSIC !!! If you have such a desperate need for lyrics, join one of your local poetry readings or read a book. It is the music that counts, end of story.
It seems to me that a lot of these “lyric critics” I have encountered over the years prefer to have shitty music with great lyrics. Well, my friends, join the Bob Dylan fan club and whack off until you’re blue in the face.
In the case of Chickenfoot (or as a matter of fact with any artist), the lyrics provide a glimpse as to what kind of person the writer is. Seems to me that Sammy Hagar is a man, who is enjoying life and his accomplishments and who likes to have fun. WTF is wrong with that ? Let’s also not forget that the man has accomplished more in his life than all of his lyric critics combined, so why would he give a rat’s ass, which I am sure he doesn’t.
It’s all about the music, people. And the music is fantastic, all 4 musicians deliver the goods big time on this record. And the lyrics ? Like it or lump it, they are part of the package. And if you don’t like them, how about this: don’t buy the frigging album !!!
Just please, please with sugar on top, STOP WHINING ABOUT LYRICS when MUSIC is being discussed.
June 13th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
this record rocks !! Screw all the haters !!
long live CHICKENFOOT !!