Released in 1979,
Street Machine is
Sammy Hagar's fifth solo studio release for Capitol records, and like many of his previous offerings, the record has more than a few highlights, but fails to fulfill on the musician's songwriting and performing promise. The recording is tighter than prior efforts, thanks to essential backup members
Bill Church (bass),
Chuck Ruff (drums), and, last but certainly not least,
Gary Pihl on guitar, but there isn't enough strong material on
Street Machine, leaving it mired in the same mediocrity that limits other Capitol-era
Hagar albums like
Musical Chairs and
Nine on a Ten Scale. Of all the '70s releases, "The Red Album" stands out the most, especially with regard to material, which is not to say that
Street Machine doesn't manage a little momentum of its own. There are a couple highlights, like "Growing Pains" and "This Planet's on Fire (Burn in Hell)," but for the most part,
Street Machine can only be recommended to the staunchest
Hagar supporters. ~ Vincent Jeffries