Musical minds converging to form a supergroup for a fresh sound is nothing new. Legendary rockers Cream did it in the Sixties,giving birth to the concept,and others followed suit down the years. Still,it was news when former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith roped in guitar god Joe Satriani for a jam session at Hagars club in Mexico. It turned out to be so good that the guys decided to cut a record. Whats in a name? Chickenfoot is as whacky as it gets. And whats in their sound? It is one you should not have missed in 2009. Hagar with his mile-high vocal range,maverick bassist Anthony and funked-out drummer Smith complete the magical circle with master shredder Satriani,who has finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of being part of a big-time rock band. Avenida revolution,the first track of the bands eponymous album,shows that these guys mean serious music. With roaring opening strains,the band prods along with Satrianis hammering riffs while Smith and Anthony hold the fort with their thumbing rhythm and grooves joined by Hagars chord-splitting vocals. Some tracks do sound old-school Van Halen,such as the crowd-pleasing chorus of Sexy little thing and Oh yeah that aviates around dark tunes. Heavy and grungier tunes rule Get it up,Runnin out and Soap on a rope. The power ballad Learning to fall makes way for the ultra-groovy Turnin left,while Future in the past moves on from funky and numinous to an eruptive solo from Satch. Chickenfoot is not about some spectacular musical circus. They stand for pure American hard rock,infused with funky,bluesy elements,thats pleasing to the older as well as the echo-boomers generation. The album can be downloaded or purchased through iTunes or the bands website chickenfoot.us. mohan.kumar@expressindia.com
