Crimson Intensity4 Out Of 5 Stars
You gotta hand it to Sammy Hagar. He's jumped careers so many times that it's hard to keep up. Frontman for Montrose, Solo Act, Van Halen's second act frontman while still solo Sammy, Post VH breakup solo, Chickenfoot. And a few soundtrack hits on the side. If there was ever a case for rocker as journeyman, Hagar fits the bill. With "The Essential Red Collection," he finally gets his due as Sammy the frontman.
Other than his best song from Montose, "Bad Motor Scooter," this disc covers solo songs from soundtracks, his Capitol years, the breakout years on Geffen, and a couple since becoming as well known for his tequila as his guitar work. Like his Tequila, Sammy knows how to hook you with spiky good hooks that taste great. There's populist Sammy ("Heavy Metal," "I Can't Drive 55"), speed demon Sammy ("Eagles Fly," "Bad Motor Scooter") and pop hook singles Sammy ("I'll Fall In Love Again," "The Girl Gets Around" from Footloose). Hard rock is his forte, but he knows how to reel in radio (and in its height, MTV, which even sponsored a "name the album" contest with Hagar).
Granted, I miss a few personal faves, like "VOA," "The Iceman" or Montrose's "Space Station #5," but the disc is packed to the limit. Commercial Rock doesn't come much better, or with this much crunch.
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