Probably like many people, the word 'supergroup' usually has this scribe hurrying to the nearest bog to eject last night's Chinese takeaway into the big white bowl (and, no, it's definitely not the food, 'cos my local takeaway is one of the best on the planet). But, I'll not go down the road of pontificating about the merits - or demerits - of such enterprises, as it would take up the whole bleedin' review!

Chickenfoot claim not to be a supergroup - despite featuring the legendary Sammy Hagar, former Van Halen cohort Michael Anthony, guitar god Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith - but four friends making music and having fun doing it. And, on the evidence of this, their oddly titled second album, I believe them.

Apparently the band drifted together, jamming together at one of Hagar's infamous birthday parties at his bar down tequila way - and the album has that sort of after hours, pick up a guitar, let's jam feel to it, especially as most of it was recorded live in the studio, with minimal overdubs.

'Last Temptation' kicks things off the way the band intend to continue - down and dirty r'n'f'n'r dragged straight from the gutter, with powerhouse drumming from Smith, outrageous riffing and shredding from the Satch and the first of ten simply stunning vocal performances from Mr Hagar. 'Alright Alright' has a real '70s vibe to it (very much in The Who mould), and is the first track to showcase Anthony's distinctive and powerful backing vocals.

'Different Devil' is just that, a lot mellower and more complex, featuring a passionate vocal that veers into Paul Rodgers territory and a blissfully brief solo. 'Up Next', inspired by the death of Hagar's long time friend and manager John Carter, is, surprisingly, a joyful blues-infused romp with a wicked lyric about the singer's vision of how he wants to arrive at the pearly gates, and another brilliant performance from Satriani. In fact, it must be said, the Satch's guitar work is a revelation throughout: he has a reputation for rapid-fire 800 notes a second histrionics, but he is a formidable rock 'n' roller, and the riffs on this album are simply off the chart in some instances; for a solo artist to fit so comfortably into a traditional band format such as this speaks volumes for the talent of the man - and the fact that the other three members are some of the best in the business undoubtedly helps.

'Lighten Up' features one of the best song intros you're ever gonna hear and a lyric that summarizes all that rock 'n' roll is about - having fun. And watch out for the solo; apparently they had to send for the LA fire department when Satch's fretboard started smokin'! 'Come Closer' is a beautiful, ballsy ballad, with a heartbreaking performance from Hagar, proving that he is one of the most underrated vocalists in the business. 'Three And A Half' is a powerful indictment of the current economic climate and those responsible: Hagar recites words from letters written by fans, not begging the multi-millionaire for money but telling of their agony. Hagar infuses an angry passion into the recitals, before screaming "I need a job" in a song that needs hacked into the iPhone of David Cameron, Barack Obama and every pinstriped Wall Street *&%*£* and put on constant repeat 'till their ears bleed!

The single, 'Big Foot', is a good old fashioned romper stomper rocker, while 'Dubai Blues' is another gutter dirty blues workout about the vacuity of wealth before, all too soon, the album closes with 'Something Going Wrong', Hagar's apocalypse-inspired lyrics topping a mean country-infused swamp blues - complete with banjo - reminiscent of Crosby, Stills And Nash or Steve Earle in his prime and another supremely understated solo from Satriani.

As I said above, Chickenfoot insist that they are four friends just having fun making music: this album definitely proves their assertion. Chad Smith's drumming is fantastic throughout, Michael Anthony's bass work is just as it should be, and his backing vocals are the best they have been since before '1984', Satch's guitar work is heavy when it needs to be, flashy when it has to, understated and perfectly compliments Hagar's outstanding vocals.

Supergroup? No. Super group? Most definitely.

Chickenfoot (with Kenny Aronoff on drums, due to Chad Smith's touring commitments) play Manchester Academy on 12 January and London Brixton Academy on 14 January.

www.chickenfoot.us