CHICKENFOOT - review added 9th November 2009
Album Review: Chickenfoot (self-titled) Deluxe Edition (2009)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and bands with strange names
This album was originally released a good few months ago and managed to evade our reviewing eyes. Now, however, a deluxe version of Chickenfoot's eponymous debut is on it's way out. As well as the original line-up of eleven songs, there's a bonus track, 'Bitten By The Wolf', plus a DVD of behind the scenes and concert footage.
For those of you who don't know, Chickenfoot is one of the biggest super groups the rock world has seen in a long time. On lead vocals is former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar, on bass there's Michael Anthony (also a former Van Halen-ite), on drums is Will Ferrell-clone Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and last but definitely not least is legendary guitarist Joe Satriani.
Line-ups really don't get any better than this. I can imagine there are plenty of people in the world who, when asked to name their perfect band, would have chosen most (if not all) of these guys.
The sound is built on a foundation of simplistic hard rock, but it's garnished with the sort of frippery that'll leave many listeners open-mouthed. There's prog, Mexican folk, metal, rock 'n' roll and plenty of nods to the guys' previous bands. The overall effect is upbeat and fun - it sounds like the four of them had a blast in the studio, and possibly got Sammy's Cabo Wabo tequila out a bit too often too.
Opening track 'Avenida Revolution' eases in with little commotion or fanfare. It's a solid track, if unexceptional. Second effort 'Soap On A Rope' is much more like it. It's a funky, full-of-life track with the sort of groove that recalls the finest work of Van Halen and the Red Hot Chili Peppers rolled into one. There aren't many tracks you can dance AND head bang to. You can with this one though.
'Sexy Little Thing' sounds laid back but has a big, big chorus. Again, it's an utterly excellent track that shows exactly what musicians of this caliber of capable of when they put their minds to it. 'Oh Yeah' has an underlying Chili Peppers riff with a big hard rock sing-along chorus slapped on the top. 'Runnin' Out' changes tack completely and heads down a retro bass-led route. It's understated but very likeable.
'Get It Up' is even more bass-led and understated...right up until the moment the chorus starts when it goes Mexican mental with its Speedy Gonzales shouts and frantic musicianship. I love the phat riff that opens 'Down The Drain'. It's very similar to Van Halen's 'Runnin' WIth The Devil', but we'll let them off. The track builds as it goes on, and features some fantastic guitar playing in its latter stages.
'My Kinda Girl' is a cool upbeat track with a strangely moody edge. It's a nice modern track and I can see it being a favourite with a lot of people. 'Learning To Fall' is the album's only big ballad and, whilst a tad clichéd in places, it's bloody good overall. 'Turnin' Left' is irritatingly good. I say irritatingly...because it's annoyingly repetitive at the same time as being annoyingly compulsive listening. The indulgent 'Future In The Past' doesn't do a massive amount for me. New track 'Bitten By The Wolf' is almost country music from the American Deep South. It's a cool song, but in some ways out of place on this album.
You can believe most of what you hear about this Chickenfoot album. When it originally reared it's head everyone raved on about how good it was. Now I see why. It isn't perfect, not by a long way, but it is jolly listenable to. It works better as a whole than as individual tracks, but that certainly isn't a complaint.
Check out... Sammy's voice. The man is on fine form!
Track List:
CD (black disc):
1. Avenida Revolution
2. Soap On A Rope
3. Sexy Little Thing
4. Oh Yeah
5. Runnin' Out
6. Get It Up
7. Down The Drain
8. My Kinda Girl
9. Learning To Fall
10. Turnin' Left
11. Future In The Past
12. Bitten By The Wolf
DVD (white disc):
Exclusive live footage shot on the band’s 2009 world tour
Candid interview footage shot at early band rehearsals and in the studio
Promo music videos for ‘Oh Yeah’ and ‘Soap on a Rope’
Label: earMusic
Artist's website(s): Chickenfoot , MySpace
