DAVID LEE ROTH: A Little Ain't Enough (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

After a breathtaking "Skyscraper", David Lee Roth's third album had the misfortune to lose two of its driving forces, Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan. Diamond Dave then decides to hire Jason Becker, another new six-string genius freshly voted Guitar Magazine's 1990 Guitarist of the Year, and also known for his collaboration with Marty Friedman on "Cacophony".

If Steve Vai's departure isn't noticeable in terms of virtuosity, it's rather in terms of compositions that the difference is felt. Whereas Frank Zappa's protégé had left his mark on every David Lee Roth album, Jason Becker's contribution was limited to the writing of the album's last two tracks, 'It's Showtime!' and ' In The Bucket', both excellent compositions in fact, almost making you regret this small contribution! The result is a certain lack of effectiveness. Worse still, the album has a few long tracks, which is an understatement when you consider that "A Litte Ain't Enough" is the longest album in David Lee Roth's discography.

The enormous challenge was to follow in the footsteps of two hard rock masterpieces, with the added constraint of having to do so with a line-up cut in half, Gregg Bissonette being the last survivor of the golden era, joined for the occasion by his brother Matt on bass. The challenge was partially met, as "A Little Ain't Enough" is a particularly catchy album in which the fabulous frontman proves that he has lost none of his madness. He dazzles us like never before on the tracks in which Jason Becker graces us with some heartfelt solos, such as the eponymous 'Last Call', 'Baby's On Fire' and the monstrous 'It's Showtime! In addition, David Lee Roth captivates us with his warm voice, not crooning as on previous albums, but rather in a bluesy version, as on 'Tell The Truth' or 'Sensible Shoes', with his harmonica.

With the help of Bob Rock at the helm, David Lee Roth returns to the basics of rock with an album that is rootsier, bluesier at times, and stands out from the airy metal of previous productions. It's a necessary risk-taking to bounce back, and it's fair to say that in this respect, "A Little Ain't Enough" comes through with flying colors. And although it won't go down in the annals, this effort will be all the more appreciated for the fact that it remains one of the all-too-rare testimonies of Jason Becker, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis after this release, bringing his career to a screeching halt... - Official website

DAVID LEE ROTH

A LITTLE AIN'T ENOUGH

WARNER

HARD ROCK