SAMMY HAGAR – Street Machine [Rock Candy remaster +2 bonus] 2009, MP3+FLAC, REAL

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“Street Machine” is SAMMY HAGAR‘s fifth solo studio release for Capitol, now fully remastered by Rock Candy Records plus two bonus, non-album tracks only appeared as singles. This very good reissue is out of print now.

Hagar, later to make a huge impact in Van Halen, first exploded on the Rock scene as the front man of Montrose, playing his part in creating what is unquestionably one of the greatest debut albums of all time. It was a record that sent seismic shock waves around the globe, helping to propel the hard rock scene, and Hagar, into a new era.

In 1975, Hagar left Montrose and opted for a solo career, signing to Capitol Records. His first few albums were tentative steps towards a sound and style that would blossom with the recording of “Street Machine”, an album that was, for the first time, in the writing and production, completely controlled by Hagar, and with his eyes firmly focused on the hard rock prize.
Packed with knockout punches, the album showcases one of the world’s greatest showmen, whose voice and songwriting ability are captured in pristine clarity.

The album’s opening track ‘Growing Pains’ kicks off with an awesome sounding power riff backed with power chords which cycle throughout the tune. This remains one of my favorite Hagar tunes to this day.
‘Child to Man’ is up next, one of the strongest written song in the record both lyrically & musically. It’s a midtempo that has a sound & style which should have made it a classic.

The guitar-fueled rockers such as ‘Trans Am (Highway Wonderland)’ is one of those kick ass tunes that makes you want to go back in time and pop an 8-track in your Firebird, push that pedal to the metal, & bury that MPH needle! (the 6 pack of Rolling Rock is optional!).
‘Feels like Love’ has a cool riff running through it and a sound that would fit in great on Ted Nugent’s Weekend Warriors album. ‘Plain Jane’ has a fun poppy feel to it while ‘Never Say Die’ is a dark mellow tune.

The album really picks up the pace on ‘This Planet’s On Fire (Burn In Hell)’ which is a fast driving song full of energy. ‘Wounded in Love’ is just an all around bad ass rocking track, ‘Falling in Love’ a nice ballad, then the album closes with an oldie style rocker titled ‘Straight to the Top’ which has its moments and fun but its style does not belong on this album.

As bonus tracks we have the non-album singles ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ (a cover of the Otis Redding hit in a melodic rock mold), and ‘I’ve Done Everything For You’, perhaps Hagar’s more melodic rock song ever, later covered by Rick Springfield whose version became a Top 10 hit in the United States in 1981.

“Street Machine” was the album that put Sammy Hagar’s solo career in a growing, relevant place, with many of the tracks getting a well deserved airplay on FM Radio, paving the way for the singer / songwriter national success in years to come.
Very nice remastering by Rock Candy, plus the welcomed, hard to find bonuses. This was requested by one of you, place yours!
Highly Recommended

01 - Growing Pains
02 - Child To Man
03 - Trans Am (Highway Wonderland)
04 - Feels Like Love
05 - Plain Jane
06 - Never Say Die
07 - This Planet's On Fire (Burn In Hell)
08 - Wounded In Love
09 - Falling In Love
10 - Straight To The Top
BONUS TRACKS:
11 - (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
12 - I've Done Everything For You

Sammy Hagar: lead vocals, guitar
Bill Church: bass, background vocals
Gary Pihl: guitar, background vocals
Chuck Ruff: drums, background vocals
Mark Jordan: keyboards

turbo-mp3

FLAC for subscr thx M/B!