*** Sammy Hagar, “Marching to Mars,” Track Factory/MCA.

Considering Hagar’s hard-rocking track record, the singer’s first effort since parting ways with Van Halen is chock-full of surprises--all pleasant. Ignited by Roy Rogers’ sizzling slide guitar, “Little White Lie” grinds with bluesy abandon; Bootsy Collins’ luscious bass lines give “Would You Do It for Free” a seductive funk swagger; and lighter-raising ballads (“Amnesty Is Granted,” “Who Has the Right?”) sway around some startlingly philosophical lyrics. There’s even a touch of electronica in the title track, a richly produced, vibrant product of Hagar’s collaboration with former Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart.

Most impressive is the self-assured songwriting that keeps all these stylistic departures on course--an indication that Hagar’s Van Halen days are squarely behind him and he’s moving forward, full-speed ahead--that’s way over 55, no question.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).