Patchy
Sammy Hagar’s ‘Cosmic Universal Fashion’ is his first outing since 2000 on Loud And Proud Records, the first official release for this division of Roadrunner Records focusing on heritage artists! Instead of ‘I can't drive 55’ its more of a case of ‘youre not signed til you're 55!’
I've always followed Sammy ever since the day my mate played me the debut Montrose album all those years ago. That album was a defining moment for them, and me when I think of what other bands were churning out at the time. Mr H is a bit of a mixed bag, a successful solo career, fronted Van Halen and established the band in his own right, formed two ‘Supergroups’ and has a 3rd on the way, and in recent years has become the Jimmy Buffet of the rock community. Oh and has just made $80m selling an 80% share in his Cabo Wabo Tequila business. He needs a new album like a hole in the head. Thankfully these aging rockers like nothing best than to still keep rocking till they die, hopefully not someday soon.
'Cosmic Universal Fashion' opens with the song of the same title and is also first single. I can only imagine why, as its one of the poorest first songs he’s ever done. Its struggling to reach out to his audience. It was an online collaboration with a young Iraqi rocker, Steven Lost. It's a crying shame he got an internet connection.
The album improves significantly on the next two songs, as they are two of the re-recorded Planet Us (Sammys super group project with Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo and Michael Anthony) songs in 'Psycho Vertigo' (originally called Vertigo) and 'Peephole', two very heavy groove riff based songs, raw and 70‘s in nature.
Over the next few songs Sammy delves into his address book for some ‘special guest’ appearances, ‘Loud’ another party rock song, stripped down to the basics, with a catchy chorus, and has The Cult and Velvet Revolver right trough it. Which is no surprise as it includes Michael Anthony, Billy Duffy and Matt Sorum and is one, if not the, best songs on the album. Next up is a strange choice of song, a cover of the Beastie Boy’s ‘Fight For Your Right To Party’ which has a guest vocal from Sammy's tour manager, Paul Binder, introduced as ‘Bling’. Finally on ‘Switch On The Light’ the stakes are raised in the special guest category by the appearance of ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. ‘SOTL’ but apparently doesn’t guarantee a great and stellar performance, it’s a bluesy offering but is a bit of a let down after the last 4 songs, and has a poor bridge/chorus.
‘When The Sun Don’t Shine’ is a return to Sammy's Hawaiian sound of the Waboritas, and from hereonin the album peeters out to be average at best. ‘24365’ is back to Sammy ‘party rock’ roots, and like the previous, is just about ok. ‘I'm on a Roll’ is straight out of the VH album filler songbook. The final song is a live medley of VH’s ‘Dreams' (one of my fave VH SH songs) and 'Cabo Wabo‘, a live performance reduced to an acoustic version that you just want him to ditch the crap and get on with the song. Listen to the original as it's miles better.
It’s a confusing mix of songs, with only the middle section hitting the mark. Someone as big and famous and Sammy is left to his own devices when recording an album. A bit more of a leaning on from L&P would have been nice. A solid enough effort, but mostly disappointing. I'm looking forward to the Chickenfoot album!