THE ALBUM OF THE DAY IS…
DAVID LEE ROTH, EAT ‘EM AND SMILE
David Lee Roth’s solo debut Eat ‘Em and Smile was Diamond Dave’s attempt at out-Van Halening the new and improved Van Hagar, and by and large he was pretty damn successful at it. Not to be outdone by the red rocker, Dave assembled a stellar lineup of musicians to match his over the top comedic delivery. The original two-handed tapping bass shredder Billy Sheehan invited his friend, the still relatively unknown guitarist Steve Vai (who had just finished up touring with Frank Zappa), to audition for the band. Needless to say he landed the gig, joining drummer Gregg Bissonette to round off the lineup.
The result is the best Van Halen album Van Halen never wrote. “Shyboy” is one of the fiercest songs David Lee Roth was ever involved with, highlighted by a mean bass-and-guitar-shredding-together passage where Vai and Sheehan absolutely destroy, blazing up and down the fret board in perfect unison. First single and album opener “Yankee Rose” brings Diamond Dave’s tongue in cheek comedy to new heights by way of vocal/guitar call and reponse with Vai. Songs like “Elephant Gun” showcase Vai’s guitar wizardry, while “Bump and Grund” is yet another party anthem taken to the next level by Roth’s trademark shrieks and squeals. And you know it wouldn’t be a David Lee Roth album without some good ol’ lounge tunes; “I’m Easy” and “That’s Life” conjure up images of 1970s fat Elvis in a white leather suit in Vegas. In a totally great way.
-VN
Buy Eat ‘Em and Smile
