Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar is the second album on which Sammy Hagar sounds unadorned hard rock centered on thick guitar, a straight beat and a powerful voice. The voice breaks through high, yet is used to support the drive of the songs, and the melodies have a plain, clear strength that shines live. Also known by the nickname “Red,” it is an early landmark. Around the declarative lift of the opening “Red,” the album stacks the drive of “Catch the Wind,” the playfulness of “Cruisin’ & Boozin’” and the heat of “Hungry.” Bluesy riffs and open choruses join naturally, conveying a 1970s American-hard-rock briskness. Its appeal is a clean-handed choice to win on thick playing and the drive of the singing rather than flashy tricks. Songs holding both momentum and accessibility, connecting directly to the later “Red Rocker” image, line up. It is a powerful, fulfilling record on which Sammy Hagar’s character as a solo artist appears with a clearer outline.