This Is Sammy Hagar Vol.1: When The Party Started

Words by Charles Patterson 

Sammy Hagar is perhaps best known for the decade he spent as lead singer of Van Halen, or previously Montrose, but in a bid to escape the commercial machine, Hagar started a solo career and tracks from this latest release, This Is Sammy Hagar Vol.1: When The Party Started are picked from four albums released between 1999 and 2006.

Opener Stand Up comes from 2002’s Not 4 Sale, a heavy,guitar-driven track spearheading what is a varied compilation. “Stand and watch two worlds collide”, Hagar sings on Serious JuJu, a subtle nod to the differences between the pressures of mainstream rock and the release of making music for the love of it. Little Bit More, is a slower burner, but the pace picks up on Ten 13, title track from Hagar’s 2000 release.

The Real Deal opens with the line “This is who I am”, a telling sign that Hagar prefers the quieter life, while the two tracks that follow, Tropic of Capricorn, and Maui Wowie, are a much softer style. Shag is a down and dirty, hard rock offering before the loudness peters out a bit. Halfway To Memphis, Sam I Am, Livin’ On A Coastline, and The Sip are all passionately played but not as heavy as the openers. 

The album closes with two brand new tracks, arguably the highlights of the album. No Worries is an ode to not having the pressures of the high-octane rock star life, while Never Said Goodbye is a sad song, a tribute to those who have left us too soon.

All in all, this is a solid compilation, opening with the hard rock tones that Hagar fans will be used to, subsiding to a mellower, more reflective style and two absolutely belting new tracks to top it all off.