Street Machine
Sammy Hagar · 1979
43 min · 11 tracks · hard rock
A vibrant blend of hard rock energy and melodic hooks reflecting the essence of late '70s rock culture.
Top tracks — play these first
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Feels Like Love — This track exemplifies Hagar's knack for combining catchy melodies with powerful vocals, making it a highlight of the album and a fan favorite.
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This Planet’s on Fire (Burn in Hell) — The song showcases Hagar's ability to blend socially conscious lyrics with hard-hitting rock instrumentation, resonating with the era's themes.
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Growing Pains Start here — Opening the album, this track sets an energetic tone while exploring themes of personal growth and resilience, characteristic of Hagar's lyrical style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and energetic performances typical of late '70s rock.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving guitar riffs and upbeat tempos, establishing a high-energy opening.
- Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the chorus, enhancing the melodic appeal.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo driving energy
- reflective lyrics for introspection
- for late-night cruising
- catchy sing-alongs with friends
- vibrant sound of the era
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- avoid reflective or emotional content
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Hagar's reputation in rock, following his earlier commercial success.
- Themes
- late '70s rock culture· socially conscious rebellion· personal growth journey
- Career context
- Released in January 1979, Street Machine was Sammy Hagar's third studio album, coming after his commercial breakthrough with the album Livin' It Up. At this point in his career, Hagar was solidifying his reputation as a formidable solo artist following his departure from Montrose and before joining Van Halen.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Lee Roth· Joe Satriani· Van Halen
Tracklist
- 1 Growing Pains Start here 3:46
- 2 Child to Man 4:28
- 3 Trans Am (Highway Wonderland) 3:46
- 4 Feels Like Love 4:21
- 5 Plain Jane 3:49
- 6 Never Say Die 4:47
- 7 This Planet’s on Fire (Burn in Hell) 4:34
- 8 Wounded in Love 3:50
- 9 Falling in Love 4:44
- 10 Straight to the Top 3:29
- 11 Miles From Boredom 2:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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