Music : Motley Crue "Saints of Los Angeles"

Producer(s): N. Sixx, DJ Ashba, J. Michael
Label: Eleven Seven Music
RELEASE DATE: 24 June 2008
DISCS: 1 disc
GENRE(S): Rock, Metal
Rating : 8.0 out of 10

Having been to hell and back, can the Crüe still kick ass?
by Jim Kaz

Mötley Crüe is one resilient beast. Think about it, besides Axl Rose, who was the press's biggest target during the alt-music boom of the '90s? The band became the bastard poster-children for all that was overblown and excessive in the music biz and experienced a backlash of epic proportions.

But the Crüe has always demonstrated an uncanny ability to bounce back and has made a series of tactical maneuvers that have gradually put it back in the public eye—most notably, the release of its literary sleaze-fest and NY Times bestseller The Dirt. And when the timing was right, the band reunited with all four original members and embarked on a successful comeback tour a couple years back that helped to further cause. But now…is the world ready for a brand-new Mötley Crüe studio album? If the colossal amounts of soot, sarcasm and swagger on this new disc are of any indication, it damn well better be.

Based on the salacious tales oozing outta The Dirt, the band's latest sonic outing is decisively bad-ass. The sound is big with thick, chunky layers of guitars, elaborate intros, eerie effects and plush vocal harmonies. What's different here is the production, which is slick and very contemporary sounding—some of the stuff is pretty similar to what you might hear on your local alternative-rock station these days. That aside, at its heart, it's still very much of a Mötley Crüe album. First, there are the unmistakable vocals of Vince Neil. But what ultimately separates this from the horde of angsty alt-metal bands on the airwaves are the ballsy riffs and overt attitude problem—two things Mötley Crüe has always excelled at. This is far from sensitive, introspective stuff. And as always, Nikki Sixx shoots straight from the crotch with little regard for critical examination or art-house acceptance. And that's not something just anyone can pull off convincingly; it takes skill and years of self-abuse.

While the hunger of the band's early days has subsided a bit, there are still a few traces of its more human side. "What's It Gonna Take" details earnestly, the desperation of dealing with the whole seedy business and trying remaining true, while "Down At the Whiskey" is a soulful slide down memory lane. The title track and "Goin' Out Swingin'" are loud and anthemic and sound as if they could've been lost outtakes from the Dr. Feelgood sessions (the band's last mega-album). But all is not golden though, and one only need look so far as some of the titles for clues.

"Mother*cker of the Year" comes across forced and sound-wise, does little to augment the proceedings. "Chicks = Trouble" is by-the-numbers cock rock that is neither deviant nor clever. Then, there's the pilfering. Nikki Sixx is obviously an avid student of pop culture and takes full advantage of rock 'n' roll's long-held tradition of recycling. The opening intro "L.A.M.F." is either an homage to glam/punk icon Johnny Thunders or has been cleverly co-opted by virtue of its first two letters. Then there's "Welcome To the Machine," to which, Pink Floyd fans may be a tad pissed. These few indiscretions are by no means terminal and the album has enough solid hooks and soulful sentiments to carry it through. It may be damaged beyond repair, but there's plenty of heart to go around.

Mötley Crüe has reestablished itself with a new generation hungry for the heady days of the decadent and debauched—before grunge, smart drinks and henna tattoos. While it'll never be on par with Shout at the Devil, at least Saints of Los Angeles serves up sufficient amounts of sleaze, and should do well to indoctrinate a whole new generation of derelicts. Listen at your own risk.

Taken From : http://music.ign.com



Audio CD (June 24, 2008) Original Release Date: June 24, 2008
1. L.A.M.F.
2. Face Down In The Dirt
3. What's It Gonna Take
4. Down At The Whisky
5. Saints of Los Angeles (Gang Vocal)
6. Mutherf*cker of the Year
7. The Animal In Me
8. Welcome To The Machine
9. Just Another Psycho
10. Chicks = Trouble
11. This Ain't A Love Song
12. White Trash Circus
13. Goin' Out Swingin'