The only band in the history of music to go downhill when Sammy Hagar left, Montrose were a paradigmatic and pioneering American hard rock act. This album, their debut, was released in 1973, and its influence (down to the choice of producer Ted Templeman) can be heard all over Van Halen’s debut, which came out five years later. These are crunching, riff-heavy hard rock anthems that showcase bandleader Ronnie Montrose’s fierce and shredtastic soloing, backed by Bill Church on bass and Denny Carmassi on drums. Hagar (making his recorded debut) is a solid belter in the Paul Rodgers/Steve Marriott post-blues tradition, never blinking no matter how corny the lyrics might be (“Rock the Nation”). The sci-fi AOR epic “Space Station #5” and “Bad Motor Scooter” are the highlights, but every track here is at least serviceable.

– Phil Freeman