Motley Crue has now been around for about 28 years. That might seem unfathomable for all you naysayers but it’s simply testament to the fact that the band has been putting the fun in rock n roll for the better part of two decades. This year sees the band release its 9th studio album and first in 8 years after 2000s New Tattoo.

It’s immediately apparent as the intro gives way to proper song #1, Face Down in the Dirt that this is a reinvigorated Motley Crue. It’s the late 80s all over again and the Crue sound like a cross between Girls, Girls, Girls and Dr. Feelgood through most of this album which is a pretty good thing. The introspection and world weariness of the last couple of albums has given way to classic fun rock n roll. The album really starts to hit the mark with the title song Saints of Los Angeles with its anthemic chorus and gang vocals. After this song, the album just takes off into cheesy and superbly fun glam. MF of the year, Animal in me, Just Another Psycho and This Ain’t A Love song are as retarded and fun as anything the band has ever put out.

This is easily the band’s best release since the self titled album in 1994 but having said that Vince Neil sounds more whiny and weak than ever before and he certainly is the weakest link in the band. Nikki Sixx is writing most of these songs with his Sixx: AM cohorts DJ Ashba and James Michael with some additional inputs from producer Marti Frederiksen. The songs are simple, to the point and fun but the album could have done with some editing. What’s it Gonna Take and Chicks = Trouble are both a bit painful to sit through while White Thrash Circus and Going out Swingin’ are both nondescript songs and slightly weak choices to close the album with.

At the end of the day, this is Motley Crue as they’ve always been. I doubt if Saints of Los Angeles is going to convert anybody to the Crue cause of sex, drugs and rock n roll but for all you faithful older fans, this is going to be a welcome return and not just as some nostalgia act. Motley Crue are back and The Saints of Los Angeles is a pretty fine album.



Label -Motley Records
Year of release - 2008