Chickenfoot

Been meaning to check out this super group project since it's release in June 2009. It has since been certified GOLD, and the last date of the tour is this weekend, Dec. 5, 2009 in Las Vegas. Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, and Chad Smith = Chickenfoot.

If you have not checked it out yet, here's what to expect.

Hagar and Anthony have had the pleasure of playing alongside one of rock's greatest guitarists. I think it is fair to say they teamed up with a more than suitable alternative with Satriani leading the riffs and solos departments. As for Chad Smith, a diverse element which adds a nice "spice" in this cooking pot, although he brings more of us "banging rock" hat than his "funky groovy" hat.

Aside from being high, expectations are mixed - will it be technical or more song oriented? Will there be the benchmark Michael Anthony backup vocals? Will Chad Smith funk it up a little?

The result, a more straight forward rock album than expected. If someone told me this was a new Van Halen album, I would not argue during a quick listen. However, a closer listen, one notices the greatness of what Satriani adds. His sauve bends, vocal style leads, at times bluesy, and his full body sound that roars like it has been aged to perfection longer than Michael Anthony's whiskey collection, or mine for that matter. We also notice a lot less open hi hats that we are used to with Alex Van Halen. Ok so enough with the obvious VH comparison.

Songs are good, memorable. Fair to say it's an album more for Van Halen fans than for Satriani fans and Red Hot Chili Peppers fans. Key trax are Turnin' Left, Sexy Little Thing, Learning to Fall, Get It Up & My Kinda Girl - Satriani rips it up on this one and Michael Anthony backups are alive and well.

Simpy put, this is what you would expect from 4 masters of their respective instruments. Are there still people out there who don't give Michael Anthony the credit he deserves!? Hey, you try and play bass with Satch and Eddie!

Here's a quote from their website:
"I write what comes to mind," Hagar says. "I'm not bound by anything subject-wise. I'm inspired by the music. When I heard the music Joe was going for, it made me reach, it made me stretch. I think it made me sing in a way that I normally wouldn't have done. We seem to have that kind of effect on each other."

Satriani agrees. "People have this idea of what this band is about, or what Sammy Hagar is about as a lyricist and a vocalist. The thing is that we manage to get each guy to up his game in a non-confrontational way. When I play with Chickenfoot, I find myself wanting to give them more all the time. I don't hold anything back. I think the rest of the guys feel the same way."

Future plans for the moment include Chad getting together with RHCP, Sammy and Mike are heading to Cabo and Joe has a live DVD coming in the new year. The band promised they have more exciting CHICKENFOOT news coming soon!

8 / 10

Click HERE for song clips