At this juncture, the Van Halen debacle may be a lost cause. Just don’t
tell Sammy Hagar because he could care less. He’s too busy partying, drinking
tequila, hanging out in Cabo San Lucas, and enjoying the hell out of
life. From the seaside sweltering cover art to the songs themselves —
Livin’ It Up, his latest CD, is a hedonistic hayride
without the advent of invention or self-importance to distinguish itself from
the packs of CDs competing for the ears and eyes of a discriminating public.
Flipping the finger in the face of formality, Hagar and his band the Wabos slip
off their shoes, shake their salt, and take their shots any way they come.
Starting off, “Sam Am I” is an unapologetic declaration that could
be easily construed as a slamming disparagement directed at one Edward Van Halen.
Hagar claims he “tried to be your ice cream man/I could not be your soldier/
Or even drive your bus/My skills weren’t always that obvious,” but the
tune’s lighthearted, irreverent approach ultimately dispels any animosity
on the singer’s part. After all, he’s “just a hopeless case/And
I ain’t no lawyer/I only got a few tricks I can show ya.” With that off
his chest, Hagar proceeds to trip the light fantastic, detailing his present
lifestyle on such feel-good ditties as “Living In A Coastline,”
and “The Way We Live.” And just to show he isn’t alone, he
invites country crooner Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar” and Bob Dylan’s
“Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” to the party and roundly turns the
whole disc into a weenie-roasting, marshmallow-melting beach bash beyond reproach.
Throughout, Hagar resorts to a laid back style that could lead to speculation
that his hard rocking days are numbered. The twang behind of “I Love This
Bar,” along with “Halfway To Memphis” and “Some Day,”
may be a sign of things to come. Then there’s “One Sip,” (co-written
by Hagar with country hitmaker Kenny Chesney) which feels more like a commercial
jingle for Cabo Wabo tequila than a true musical statement. At least “Let
Me Take You There,” despite a blatant lift of its rollicking chorus from
the Staple Singer’s “I’ll Take You There,” reveals there’s
still some of residual firepower resonating in the Red Rocker’s ample
bones. But for anyone looking to kick in the door and relive the glory days
of “Bad Motor Scooter” and “Poundcake,” take note —
Sammy Hagar is apparently on permanent vacation and livin’ it up with
no plans to return to the battle-scarred frontlines of hard rock.
~ Shawn Perry
