Red Voodoo

It might appear unseemly for a fiftysomething singer to be praising the consumption of mas tequila. But this is Sammy Hagar we're talking about, the overgrown beach boy who owns a club in party-central Cabo San Lucas and boasts his own brand of tequila. Hagar's second solo album since departing Van Halen continues down the blues-based, fun-infused path the Red Rocker has traveled since his days with Montrose. Here Hagar borrows hints of the Stones, ZZ Top, and even Gary Glitter. The likable if juvenile "Shag" (as in "You make me want to shag you, baby") is balanced against "The Love," "Right on Right," and "Returning of the Wish," all strong, more "serious" songs. Hagar's whiskey- (or is that tequila-?) soaked voice is by turns sultry and playful, the guitar work scorching and soulful. On Red Voodoo, Hagar has once again proved himself deft and irresistible when it comes to penning middlebrow party anthems. --Katherine Turman