Search - Sammy Hager & The Wabos :: Livin' It Up

Album 25 and still going strong

Daniel Maltzman | Arlington, MA, USA | 07/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to believe that an entire decade has gone by since Sammy Hagar was fired from Van Halen because, according to Eddie Van Halen, "his work ethic sucked." Well, it appears that ten years after the fact, it is Sammy Hagar that has the last laugh. While Eddie Van Halen has spent these last ten years drinking and chain smoking (despite having a tumor on his tongue) more than anything else, (oh yeah, they released that classic "Van Halen 3") Sammy Hagar has released a total of six albums, in addition to a multitude of other successful business ventures.



Including Montrose, HSAS, Van Halen and live albums, "Livin' it Up" (2006) is Sammy's twenty-fifth album. It's his fourth album with his band "the Wabos" (David Lauser-drums, Vic Johnson-drums, Mona-bass) and his first album of new music in four years.



While Sammy's last few albums "Ten 13" (2000) and "Not 4 Sale" (2002) were more of a return to an 80s AOR style of Sammy's Geffen golden years, "Livin' it Up" is probably most comparable to Sammy's second post-VH album "Red Voodoo" (the Wabos debut) in that both are party/lifestyle albums. There's no 80s style arena rockers here, as "Livin' it Up" treads more on Jimmy Buffet/Van Morrison territory.



Eleven songs total, "Livin' it Up" has a real live, organic feel. It sounds as though the band just went in and recorded an album without a lot of overdubs or technical studio wizardry. In other words, while Sammy and comp. put a lot of time into writing a strong album, it wasn't over-thought or overdone. Going on 60, Sammy's songwriting and knack for good hooks and grooves is as sharp as ever.



"Livin' it Up" is not very challenging album and it doesn't break any new ground. It's just an irrelevant, fun, laid-back collection of songs that Sammy fans are sure to love. "Livin it Up" is THE album to blast from your beach house in Cabo or Jersery this summer.

"

I thought I knew bad music - then I heard this album.....

Scott Fischer | Park Ridge, IL USA | 07/31/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a VH fan for years and years. I've loved Hagar's work with them as well as his solo work. As a matter of fact, I still listen to his self-titled album (aka I Never Said Goodbye) and think it stands the test of time. Let's face it, Sammy was never known as a lyrical giant - but he has hit an all-time low. This album is just plain pathetic! Every tune on it is a blatant advertisement for his resort and/or his tequila. Give me a break! Can't you find something else to sing about??? This album reminds me of Hollywood's take at a Buffet album - and not an early Buffet album but one of his more recent releases. If you're looking for bad lyrics that advertise Sammy Hagar's club and product lines - then this is the album for you!"

Sammy's Done Better

John E. Philibert | Vilseck, Germany | 08/01/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Hagar fan since his Montrose days. He's done better. I really like that every album is distinct and has a profoundly different sound, a lot like U2. Each album has its standout tunes and it seems that this disk's standout is a cover of a Chesney tune. Sure, it's a great tune, but it's not an original Sammy work. As a longtime Redhead, I regret to say that this album isn't one of Sammy's better works. There's no worry of wearing out this CD the way I've worn out Standing Hampton or even Red Voodoo. This album has two, maybe three good tunes, those being I Love This Bar and One Sip. The rest is passable for die hard fans, but this album is unlikely to win any new ones. I'll stick to Sammy's previous work and his work with VH. This one is most likely going to remain on the shelf most of the time. Sorry, Sammy. Love you like a brother, but you've done better."