To avoid the sophomore jinx, Sammy Hagar claims the supergroup Chickenfoot – Chad Smith on drums, Joe Satriani on guitar, Michael Anthony on bass and backing vocals, and Hagar on vocals and guitar – named their second album Chickenfoot 3 and just got on with things. By the sound of it, the songwriting and interaction is far more cohesive and mature – something a band doesn’t typically get right until their third album.
Far and away this is a really solid 10-song collection. This (technically) second one from Chickenfoot sees some rocking little numbers that showcase not only the individual members’ talents, but what was always the backbone of Van Halen and present backbone and most talented member of this band hands-down – the spectacularly underrated Michael Anthony. Hagar has been around long enough to give credit where credit is due, and he has been quite vocal about this new CD’s vocals. And Chickenfoot 3 is strongest when Hagar and Anthony are harmonizing.
“Dubia Blues” has a nice shuffle beat but it is Anthony’s higher harmonies that make the tune. “Big Foot” has Hagar really belting it out, while “Something Gone Wrong” sees some great harmonies over Satriani’s guitar work. The guitarist is really at his best on “Lighten Up.” Hagar delivers a smooth reading on the ballad “Come Closer” before the band gets heavy on the most spectacular song on record: “Three And A Half Letters.” While Smith focuses on the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Chickenfoot hits the road with drummer Kenny Aronoff, fans can take comfort in knowing that Chickenfoot 3 packs enough conviction, heart and riffs onto one CD to prove they’ll be back with a 4, a 5, perhaps even a 2.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
