Motley Crue – Saints of Los Angeles (2008)
After much too long of a wait, 8 years to be exact, we finally have a new Motley Crue disc with all new material.
It has been far too long since the L.A. bad boys have released any good new material. Their last couple of studio albums have been disappointing in my opinion. I have been hoping that Saints of Los Angeles would put Motley Crue back in form.
So was S.O.L.A. worth the wait?
The opening cut, L.A.M.F., sounds like the band was looking for an epic opening ala, In the Beginning from Shout at the Devil. Sadly, this isn’t it. This track is annoying, and should have been left off of the album.
Face Down in the Dirt is the song that should have led off Saints of Los Angeles. This hard rocking tune is one of the better tracks on S.O.L.A.
What’s It Gonna Take is an o.k. track that feels a little bit like filler to me. It isn’t the worst Crue song I have ever heard, but it is far from their best.
I like the tune, Down at the Whisky pretty well. This song would have fit in well with the Girls, Girls, Girls album.
Chances are you have already heard the title track, Saints of Los Angeles a few times as have I. I liked this tune as soon as I heard it, and still do.
Motherfucker of the Year is pretty much the main lyric of this aptly titled song. The song writing is pretty simple stuff, but Motley Crue makes it work. The content has pretty much guaranteed that this tune will get no radio airplay. I doubt the band cares. I like it.
The Animal in Me is a mid-tempo song that feels like another filler song. It isn’t terrible, but just an average Crue song. It does break up the pace of the record, but that is about it.
Welcome to The Machine is not a Pink Floyd cover song (thank goodness). This hard rocking tune is growing on me with each listen.
Just Another Psycho is one of those songs that you either love or hate. Mick Mars has some cool guitar riffs on this song. The lyrics are kind of silly, but this song is catchy.
Anyone that has read the Nikki Sixx book, The Heroin Diaries, will automatically recognize the song title, Chicks = Trouble. This seems like a quick cash in for Nikki Sixx. Vince Neil makes this song work. This song also sounds as if it would have been home on the Girls, Girls, Girls album.
This Ain’t A Love Song is another tune that is just o.k. This isn’t as good as Sick Love Song from the 2005 Red, White and Crue greatest hits compilation, but it doesn’t suck either.
White Trash Circus has a cool sleazy groove to it. I didn’t like this song at first, but it is definitely another tune that will grow on you.
Goin’ Out Swinging is the song that Motley Crue went back into the studio to record, after the album was finished. This late addition was desperately needed on S.O.L.A. Not only is this one of the better songs on the disc, but it gives the Crue a hard hitting tune to close out the album with.
I played the heck out of this disc while I was on vacation last week. While I don’t think this is Motley Crue’s best work, it is most certainly a return to form for the L.A. hard rockers. For this listener, S.O.L.A. was worth the wait!
Recommended Listening!
You can buy a copy of Motley Crue’s Saints of Los Angeles CD at this link.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
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. Motherfucker 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’
Motley Crue is:
Vince Neil – Vocals
Mick Mars – Guitar
Nikki Sixx – Bass
Tommy Lee – Drums
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Ok, this is my final entry on this album, I promise. After giving the Crue the gears on my first impression and review of the album, I can’t go out hatin’ on the Crue. I mean, this is Motley Crue we’re talking about, I need to show them some props.
Saints of Los Angeles has actually grown on me, in fact, I like it quite a bit now. At first, I found some of the album to be a little cheesy, and it is, but it’s a nice cheese…like a fine Havarti. Nikkis song writing has always been like this; it has an innocence and pop sensibilities and he also knows how to make, what appears to be hard rock, easy to digest and consumable to the masses. This was always his forte and it’s why they eventually broke out so huge with Dr. Feelgood. S.O.L.A. has Vince singing like a bird and Tommys drums have never sounded better. Considering Micks health problems, I’m amazed he sounds so good as well. The album, overall, is well produced by Sixx AM vocalist James Michael.
Sure the Crue is old now, sure they aren’t what they used to be, but you know what? They’re still kickin’ it better than 90% of the bands out there today. I stand corrected.
I think it’s very cool that a 14 year old girl, who has no other friends into Crue, is into this band that was in their heyday well before her time. Kudos to you Cruechick, keep rockin’. It also speaks of Motleys music to be able to transcend generations in this way, perhaps I’ve been too hard on the old boys.