Sammy Hagar doesn't need a great introduction. Even if you are not acquainted with his early years at MONTROSE, for sure you remember him as the singer of VAN HALEN for the period 1985-1996, since Dave Lee Roth parted from the band. Sammy is back with his 11th solo album, Cosmic Universal Fashion, the first release for Loud & Proud Records, an imprint of Roadrunner Records.

This album contains a bit of everything. The song Cosmic Universal Fashion, which is 'till now the only video clip available and resembles a hell lot to VAN HALEN's Right Now (1991), is not a representative song for the whole album. In fact, if we borrow some statements straight from the horse's mouth, Hagar wasn't at all interested in co-operating with the Iraqi rocker, Steven Lost, who sent 5 samples to manager Mike Copeland...Since he realised that he could make a new Right Now track!!!

As I said, C.U.F is not a representative song. Actually, there are some good tracks like Psycho Vertigo and Peephole, which have a modern sound with a grunge/stoner touch. These two tracks were planned for Hagar's project Planet Us. Loud is a classic Hard Rock piece with a wild attitude, probably the best track of the album. 24365 and I'm On A Roll are of the same style. Switch On The Light has a lot of Southern Rock air and When The Sun Don't Shine has a mellower sound (that would be a track for WABORITAS). The album ends with a live acoustic version of VAN HALEN's Dreams, Dreams Cabo Wabo. Honestly, an amazing version.

A dark point is the cover on Fight For Your Right To Party of BEASTIE BOYS. What the f@%#k man? So, Sammy preferred to include this cover, after agreeing with the attorneys of BEASTIE BOYS that he won't change the lyrics, than writing an extra song? WOW!