Musical Skeen: Chickenfoot Preview

Jeddy Skeen - Music Review
Raleigh NC

Let's begin with the band's line up.
Chad Smith: The drummer of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smith has proven himself as one of the biggest drummers in American Rock. He can play any beat needed, and has enough talent to know when to not play the fills. Also, he looks like Will Ferrell.

Michael Anthony: The bassist of Van Halen fame. Yes, Eddie has a wicked grinding guitar. However, the reason those whiny axe licks don't bleed your eardrums is because Anthony offsets them with a groovy and rock based bass. He's very underestimated as a musician.

Sammy Hagar: Sure, he'll get the headline. He's got monster vocals. He was with Montrose and Van Halen. Those are two of the best rock bands ever. Still, we have to question his rockness, due to the Van Hagar legacy. How could a band turn so wussy in so few years.

Joe Satriani: If you want a guitar god, this is one of the top five on anyone's list (who knows modern rock). He was recruited by Mick Jagger. He played for Deep Purple. Everyone from Jeff Beck to Eric Clapton says he's one of the best guitarists around today. He's Classic Coke in a New Coke world.

Preview:
I haven't heard but three songs from the Chickenfoot album. In short, they rock.

The first song I heard was "Down the Drain". It's a simple song but it reminds me of what Van Halen should have been with Sammy Hagar. I believe Hagar refound his Montrose roots with this song. It's a solid song.

"Soap on a Rope" is another winner if you love classic rock. It's dirty and sounds much like ZZ Top blended with Van Halen. I pictured women dancing in a cloud of bubbles while they wash my car. That's what rock is about.

The third song is Chickenfoot's first single. "Oh Yeah" is a rock crowd pleaser. There is the "audience reply" OH YEAH! It's a driving song. It has a low point to build tension. I say it should be replayed for at least a year on classic rock stations.

Finally:
Chickenfoot stands for a version of a peace symbol. I say the portions of the album that I have heard call for a peace between pop rockers and classic rock fans. This sounds like a solid album. Sadly I only think classic rock fans will pick up on it. Everyone on this album is a major talent. It's excellently produced. No song sounds like the band hated being involved, as far as I've heard. If a "Super-Group" had the talent to get along, I'd say it's this one. They all have the same laid back temper. This won't be the last of this group, hopefully.