Montrose by Montrose (CD, Jan-1989, Warner Bros.)

This is, without a doubt, the most rocking album of the '70s (1973). With Denny Carmassi pounding the drums, Bill Church thumping the bass, Ronnie Montrose setting the electric guitar on fire, and lead singer Sam (Sammy) Hagar discovering his famous vocals, this is a debute album that sets the bar for all debute albums! My CD does'nt say who wrote the songs/lyrics, but with songs like "Rock Candy" and "Bad Motor Scooter", I'd have to say that Sammy Hagar must have had some influence. If you love to rock hard, and party harder, do yourself a very big favor, and buy this album! Favorite tracks: All!
You'll probably listen to this album over again after the last song has ended, because it rocks so hard and sounds so good, it ends too soon.

There’s something undeniably magical about debut albums. VanHalen, Rush, Aerosmith, Queen, Matchbox 20, Kiss, Hootie and The Blowfish and Led Zep just to name a few have that fresh, no restrictions roots of the true band fire in their out of the gate records. In many cases, the bands rarely achieve that same brilliant luster after record execs, fame, fortune, and sometimes rehab can ruin them or break the bands spirit. Aerosmith (for one) has yet to produce anything of real value since they sobered up, but they are still a great live band. Sam Hagar’s vocals on this masterpiece are as fresh as they are spot on. A perfect match for Ronnie’s gritty guitar chops as well.
Montrose is no exception here. Aside from the worst song on the album (Rock The Nation) opening up the record, it’s all timeless good time straight forward in high gear Rock-N-Roll. Sammy’s later hit of “I Can’t Drive 55” should have been on this record for all practical purposes.
How this material continues to escape classic rock station airplay is somewhat bewildering as it really doesn’t get much more “classic” from an impressionable era of 70’s rockers than this.
The only complaint I could possibly have about this classic album from 1973, is that it’s just too damn short in length. Only about 30 min in length.
Roll this one out…Fire It UP!!! And Enjoy the trip!

my brother came down from san francisco(he had seen them at a college campus music festival i think) with this album before it hit the airwave's in LA(klos,kmet fm back then) and there was nothing out there like them. a great first album, Sammy Haggar left the band on their first album tour through san bernardino co. at the swing auditorium(it canceled and replaced with the j giles band of which i had not ever heard) They were in the process of their second lp when this break-up happened. San Bernardino was his home County -fontanna being his home city of which i had tickets to(my home town too). Never got to see montrose with sammy on vocals in concert, what a shame! A lot of talent back then for one band. As i recall sammy wanted his name on the ticket for his home town and ronny (montrose) refused, the rest is history.Montrose came through the swing auditorium with a music only tour (no vocals at all and wasn't too bad just not the same. The famous swing auditorium would never have a chance to accomodate montrose again in concert due to a plane crash that destoyed the building at the orange show location.
just a great set of songs to listen to after not hearing for over 20+ years.sure miss those days and makes me smile remembering this album

I originally saw Montrose live in NYC as an opening band in 1974 and what an experience. I've NEVER been to a better concert, although they received a cool reception I knew that more would be heard from them. I first heard the album in 1973 and from then on I was hooked.
1.Bad Motor Scooter
2.Good Rockin tonight
3.Space Station Number 5
Are among my favorites but I really love all the songs on the album and to see them do these songs live was AWESOME!!

High energy, well writen hard rock. Every song is timeless, the best album this band put out. The drummer is like a 747 taking off. Ronnie Montrose wrote great lyrics for Sammy to sing. And the solos are awesome.