SAMMY HAGAR & THE WABORITAS |
| Parting from multi-platinum
selling rock legends Van Halen did a world of good for the "red rocker".
This latest solo endeavor from Hagar and his band of WaboRitas,
the second offering, following up '97's "Marching to Mars" is a plethora
of pure party rock hits to raise your glass and throw back a shot or
two, let loose and get wild. Hagar's very nature as a solo artist has always been about cranking up the amps, jamming and having fun. "Red Voodoo" is not the clear cut guitar dominated rock album that recalls the days when getting "written up for 125" was what he was remembered for most, but make no mistake, when it rocks, it rocks. And no, he would never have gotten away with such creative freedom had he stuck in Van Halen. So while his former mates have yet to figure out just what they're looking to accomplish as the late nineties quickly vanish into a blur, Sammy is proving his past credibility fronting his own band was no fluke. "Mas Tequila" is the vibe that juices the rest of "Red Voodoo" and provides an anthemic entranceway onto the beachfront-a heavy-hitting rock anthem that will one day stand along side other fondly remembered radio classics as "One Way to Rock" and "I Can't Drive 55." Already flooding rock radio, it borrows from the Gary Glitter "Rock & Roll part II" or closely resembles the celebratory fist-pumper commonly associated when the home team scores. When the adrenaline rush has had a chance to cool, one of the few easy-listeners creeps up and "lay their hand on you," with a chorus everyone will want to sing along to. Don't have any plans to make it out to Cabo anytime soon? Pick up "Red Voodoo" just in time for summer and let the party come to you. Released by MCA. Review by Vinnie Apicella. |