Ten 13

Ten 13 is a record on which Sammy Hagar moves freely between positive hard rock and melody. An open voice and guitar-centered arrangements carry an American-rock brightness, and even in weightier songs the choruses have a friendly, breezy ease. In the post–Van Halen period, it is a record on which he puts his strengths forward straightforwardly. From the drive of the opener “Shaka Doobie (The Limit)” and the lightness of “Let Sally Drive” to the groove of “Serious Juju” and the melody of the title track “Ten 13,” every song carries an unforced appeal. Hard rock songs and a blues and pop sense coexist naturally, and a positive flow runs through the whole album. An air that prioritizes the fun of playing and a positive heat over showing off technique feels good. A stance of winning on the soaring singing and the band’s groove, rather than relying on flashy tricks, runs throughout. It is a fulfilling record on which Sammy Hagar’s lively character as a solo artist appears straightforwardly.