Saints of Los Angeles

Motley Crue has ALWAYS produced good tunes....and this CD is loaded with them. However, parents should note that this cd is pretty explicit. Check out these new and edgy tunes and buy a copy today. You won't be disappointed.

In a decade where almost every new band thats come out has been crap and alot of bad music has been made, the Crue show the kids how rock n roll is made. This new album has all the making of a genuine Motley Crue album, and even though one or two of the tracks are a lil off track, songs like MF of the Year, The Animal In Me, and Face Down in the Dirt, really showcase this album. Hopefully, the bands that are coming out with all this awful music can wipe the make up off their face and take a look at some real rock.

Its been 8 years since Motley Crue's last studio album,2000's New Tatoo but they are finally back with their ninth album "Saints Of Los Angeles".This is really the first album with the original lineup since "Dr.Feelgood" in 1989 as on Generation Swine from 1997,they weren't much of a team as Vince just sang over John Corabi's vocals and it shows.First I Have to say the energy on SOLA is incredible,Vince's voice is amazing and everybody sounds top-notch,they're back doing mostly what they always did,sing about girls,alcohol and other things they used to.The Crue is back indeed.

It doesn't sound like any of their previous albums,they didn't try to capture the sound of their early years as with "New Tatoo",instead they just let Motley Crue being what it is,no trying to go backwards.It was great that New Tatoo sounded like vintage Crue but you should be going forward not backwards.The band does sound current but in a great way.A thing that you will notice is how they sound agressive and focused.There has been a few surprise albums this year so far and to me SOLA was one of them.It was my most played album of the summer.In the current state of music I'd say Motley has done a terrific album and this album was very well worth it.

The album was at first going to be named "The Dirt" after the band's autobiography of the same name but then they changed it.The songs on the album reflect the book,at least partly.The songs that I enjoyed the most are the great title track,"MF Of The Year","The Animal In Me","Welcome To The Machine" and "Goin'Out Swingin'".The rest is good but those are the tracks that really moved me.The title track with its gang vocals is anthemic,MF Of The Year is my personnal favourite tought(they aren't shy of saying mother****er in one of their songs)."The Animal In Me" is a great ballad and "Goin'Out Swingin'" has the most energy and just rocks.That's not to say the rest is bad,its good but other reviewers have covered all the songs so why should I too?

Overral the new album is possibly the band's best work since "Dr.Feelgood" in 1989.A classic?Well not exactly at leat not yet,but still a very strong album.If you are a fan of the band than get it by all means,its worth having.Unless you are a fan who wants Shout or Girls all over again you will not be disapointed,just be opened to new things.Its recent but it has an old school feeling to it too.

THE BAND: Vince Neil (vocals), Mick Mars (guitars), Nikki Sixx (bass), Tommy Lee (drums & percussion).

THE DISCS: (2008) Disc-1 is the music disc - containing 13 tracks and clocking in at approximately 44 minutes. Disc-2 is the DVD - containing interviews, concert footage and music videos. Included with the disc is 6-page foldout containing band photos, song titles and website info. This is the band's 9th studio album (previous album was "New Tattoo" in 2000). Recorded at the Lightning Bolt Garage (Los Angeles). Label - Eleven Seven Music / Motley Records.

COMMENTS: In 2008, the original 4 Crue members are reunited. After almost 20 years, enter a once banished Vince Neil and team sobriety. Following the band's commercially successful "Dr. Feelgood" (1988), the band remained alive in name, but the members had developing outside interests. Neil - driving race cars, inhaling hot fudge sundaes, and battling his inner demons. Sixx - writing his memoirs, battling addictions, recruiting new bandmates, and releasing a solo album. Mars - flying under the radar and still involved with all things Crue. Lee - busy with solo albums, and reality TV (going to college, and "Rockstar Supernova"). Motley Crue released a few albums with substitute members - receiving only mild success. So being a Crue fan since "Too Fast For Love" (1981), I really wanted to see if the original 4 had something to say. I bought the disc blindly...having heard none of the songs. After dozens of spins, I find myself really surprised with "Saints Of Los Angeles" - in a good way. Sixx remains the main creator behind the songs, though I find it slightly disappointing that many of the tracks are co-written by members outside the Crue (not to mention Mars with only 2 songwriting credits and Lee with 1). This truly makes me wonder how many creative juices are left in the tank. Sixx's bass guitar, as usual, is solid. Vince Neil is back with a vengeance - though his voice is (still) limited and a bit gruff at times, he still sounds great two-and-a-half decades after their first release. Neil has never been an outstanding singer, but he fits with the Crue and you always knew what you were getting with him belting out the lyrics. Mars' guitar is loud and crunchy - a warm fuzzy feeling... like you're back in the 80's. Tommy Lee, though outspoken at times, is an accomplished hard rock drummer. He still has the licks and beat behind the kit. As for the music... the album starts off with a slow minute-an-a-half Sci-Fi welcome with "L.A.M.F." - reminiscent of the way "Shout At The Devil" (1983) started out so many years ago. The album proceeds to kick out your front teeth with 12 hard rocking songs that will surely get your heart pumping. The title track is the first hit to be released, and I can see the slow, yet heavy rocker "The Animal In Me" reaching the airwaves in the near future. Other standouts include "Down At The Whiskey" (my favorite on the album), the opener "Face Down In The Dirt", "Just Another Psycho", the head-bobbing fist waving title track, and "Welcome To The Machine" (not a remake of Pink Floyd's classic). Like most albums, there has to a clunker or two... my least favorite tracks include "White Trash Circus" (sounds way too close to a Marilyn Manson song), and "Chicks = Trouble" (with its trite chorus and lyrics). Does one song stand above the rest? Is there a bonified Top 10 hit here? Is there a "Looks That Kill", "Home Sweet Home" or "Kickstart My Heart" that will win radio stations over for the next year? Probably not. Still, the album as a whole simply kicks ass. Overall - a solid release from the old Motley Crue. Easily the band's best in any shape, manner or form since the late 80's. A nice comeback full of attitude and sleaze from one of the best Los Angeles hair bands (4.5 stars).

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