Crazy Times, Sammy Hagar’s second release with The Circle, finds the Red Rocker, bassist Michael Anthony (Hagar’s bandmate in Van Halen and Chickenfoot), drummer Jason Bonham and guitar virtuoso Vic Johnson rockin’ hard. Hagar wrote or co-wrote nine of the songs here. He and the band also do a rippin’ cover of Elvis Costello and the Attractions’ classic punk rock anthem “Pump It Up” to round it out to 10.
The album begins (“Intro: The Beginning Of The End) and ends (“Father Time”) with just an acoustic and Hagar singing. In between, the most notable first mover, “Feed Your Head,” is a jumpy, fun rocker, with the band’s fine, slightly ‘Americanized’ take on “Pump It Up” rounding out the beginning of the collection. As expected, this particular quartet is in fine form, and Hagar can still belt it out as he always has. Still, one is reminded in lots of these tunes, terribly so in fact on the big rock ballad “Be Still,” that Sammy Hagar is not one of the best lyricists.
Bonham is especially on fire on “You Get What You Pay For,” the title track, and the funky “Funky Feng Shui.” Johnson really shines as well. On the epic, heavy prog-like screamer “Childhood’s End,” the band is probably at their best. As it is here, it is with plenty of other moments on Crazy Times, Hagar makes use of Michael Anthony’s expert harmonies. I have always contended (and David Lee Roth confirms this in his book) how Anthony’s voice, if not also his bass playing, was essential to Van Halen’s brilliant sound. As always, no matter where he puts those soaring high vocals (and his solid base playing), Anthony is the secret sauce. Crazy Times is a nice little rock record, even though the Circle is not unearthing anything new really. The tunes, however, will get your feet tapping and this particular combination of players is hard to beat.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
