Montrose

Montrose (Warner Bros. ’73) Rating: A-
The first album featuring future Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar, Montrose is considered by many to be the best album Big Red has ever been involved with (I would vote for either this or 5150, depending on my mood). Of course, much of that has to do with the hotshot guitarist that this band is named after, as Ronnie Montrose (a session veteran who had recorded with Van Morrison and Edgar Winter) has a raw, thick, flat-out monstrous guitar tone and delivers several exciting solos, often towards the end of songs. The album gets off to a rousing start with its three best songs, beginning with “Rock The Nation,” on which the band just wants to have fun while making sure that we do as well. These guys were heavy as hell for 1973, and a track like “Bad Motor Scooter" still hits like a ton of bricks, with a great overall groove and a catchy chorus too. Best of all is “Space Station No. 5,” which starts slow and atmospheric before powerfully surging forward, ultimately climaxing with a frenetic finish. In general, the rhythm section of bassist Bill Church and drummer Denny Carmassi is more than adequate, and Sammy sings impressively. Unfortunately, though he generally sounds good (though he can still grate at times), it's what he’s singing that’s the album's primary problem. Lines like “well I gave love a chance and it shit back in my face” are bad enough, as are simplistic "let's rock out" lyrics elsewhere (the word "Rock" appears in three song titles), but mindless cock rock lyrics like “you’re a candy baby, so hard, sweet, and sticky” literally made me wince. Fortunately, the Brontosaurus-sized stomp largely (but not totally) overcomes said lyrics on "Rock Candy," and Ronnie's fierce guitar also manages to reinvigorate “Good Rockin’ Tonight," a golden oldie associated with Elvis Presley that's the album's lone cover. Again, the album starts much stronger than it finishes, but "One Thing On My Mind" is a melodic and catchy party tune, and "Make It Last" is a bluesy slide guitar anthem that works as a satisfactory finale. So, as you can see, there's not really any filler on the album, perhaps in part because it's rather short at a mere 32 minutes long. True, some of these songs are rather generic, and the silly lyrics are regrettable, but the incredible energy and intensity of the performances (expertly captured on tape by future Van Halen producer Ted Templeman), particularly from Mr. Montrose (who Eddie was a big fan of), makes this debut album extremely enjoyable despite its flaws. Certainly Montrose deserved more recognition and acclaim than it received at the time, though the band can take solace in the fact that many a middle-aged headbanger now considers it something of a "lost classic."

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