by Derric Miller
— Managing Editor —
The Hoff. Look, you can say anything you want about him, but it doesn’t discount his celebrity, his awesomeness, his mark on television history with Knight Rider and Baywatch … oh and he’s also a platinum selling music artist. At this point in his career, why WHOULDN’T he do a covers’ album? He can do whatever the hell he wants, and thus … Open Your Eyes.
The album title track opens the release and it’s oddly ’80s moody, anthemic, and just a good song. Hasselhoff’s voice is thick, rich, but he can carry a tune and emotes in a surprising fashion. You probably don’t sell millions of albums if you are not at the very least good. It would have been cool to hear more originals but as the blast-off, it basically kicks ass.
He does shine on many of the covers, especially “I Melt With You” featuring guitar stud Steve Stevens. Again, he makes you believe what he is singing is truth. It’s not hard to imagine him singing this to a lass and she just … “melts” in his arms. It’s a damn good cover.
The cover of Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” seemed like a sketchy choice. Coverdale back in the day had a multi-octave range and there’s little chance The Hoff could hit the scream in this song. He didn’t try it, probably for the best. For some reason, he still nailed it. Tracii Guns is always who he is–brilliant. Another strong cover.
If you have a heart, you have to love Glen Campbell. As he recently passed away, Hasselhoff sang a tribute to him on “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Again, while he can sing, it’s always the emotion in his voice that raises the bar. No, it’s not Rock, but it is far and away the best song on the release.
Things close on a Sinatra cover, “That’s Life.” Perchance a quirky pick, considering Whitesnake came before it, but again, Hasselhoff nails it. It’s understood that fans consider Sinatra one of the best singers ever, but that’s based on aura, personality, attitude, drinking, his harsh personality. If you think Sinatra is as good or better than Elvis, you need nine hearing aids. This is not talk-singing, this is Hasselhoff crooning. Maybe not the cover, but looking at the eclectic tracklisting, expect the unexpected. He just sings it better than Sinatra.
This may be a novelty release, one you’ll pick up here and there and crank, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. Cover albums wear out their welcome quickly, but songs like “Rhinestone Cowboy” will have you going back to it again and again. Plus, the dude is an American treasure who YES, is big in Germany. Put on your swimsuit, jump in your 1982 Pontiac Firebird and enjoy this album for what it is … fun with fun.
Genre: The Hoff
Band:
David Hasselhoff-vocals
Litany of guest musicians
Tracklisting:
1. Open Your Eyes feat. James Williamson (The Stooges)
2. Head On feat. Elliot Easton (The Cars)
3. I Melt With You feat. Steve Stevens (Billy Idol)
4. Lips Like Sugar feat. A Flock of Seagulls
5. “Heroes” feat. Tyler Bates
6. Here I Go Again feat. Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns)
7. Jump In My Car feat. Todd Rundgren
8. Rhinestone Cowboy feat. Charlie Daniels
9. If You Could Read My Mind feat. Ava Cherry
10. Sugar, Sugar feat. Steve Cropper
11. Mit 66 Jahren feat. Patrick Moraz (Yes/The Moody Blues)
12. Sweet Caroline feat. Ministry
13. That’s Life
Label: Cleopatra Records
Online:
https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/david-hasselhoff-open-your-eyes-cd/
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(7.4 / 10)
