Nine on a Ten Scale

Nine on a Ten Scale is the debut on which Sammy Hagar, after leaving Montrose, first clearly shows his outline as a solo artist. Centered on thick guitar, a straight beat and a well-carrying high register, the songs also hold a blues feel and a pop accessibility. From the positive strength of the opener “Keep On Rockin’” and the gentle face of “Flamingos Fly” to the melody of “China” and “Silver Lights,” the songs convey the breadth of his singing, which is not merely hard. It is striking how hard rock’s drive and a soaring, friendly vocal join naturally. While some rawness remains, the stage-ready vocal that would later bloom and the core of unadorned American rock are already clearly inscribed. His character as a singer who unites boldness and accessibility is plainly put forward at this starting point. It is an important solo debut — the origin of the “Red Rocker,” Sammy Hagar.