Motley Crue - Saints Of Los Angeles (2008)

The Crue are back, and boy you better believe it. Forget the press reviews which claim it's the same 'ol same 'ol...this is rock 'n' roll not avante garde psych-pop, but thankfully, with the band back to the original line-up, the first time since 1997's messy 'Generation Swine', this is the Crue we all know and love. Somehow, despite all the women, all the money, all the drugs, booze and cars, the rockers have found a hunger that almost puts this record on a par with 'Dr Feelgood', and believe me, that's a real compliment and quite an achievement. I was a big fan of 'New Tattoo' but it seemed to slip under the radar, and even the band seemed to miss its obscure qualities and anyone who has seen them live recently will note a set list bereft of 'New Tattoo' tracks which is a shame, but 'Saints...' somehow finds itself as a mix between 'New Tattoo' and 'Dr Feelgood', and that should be fine by any real Crue head. If you want cheese, you'll find a sprinkling, but a sprinkling only, particularly with the bubblegum rock of 'Chicks = Trouble' (probably the weakest track on the record) and Def Leppard with meat 'The Animal In Me' which is about as lovey-dovey as Crue get on here, but apart from that, this is vintage rawk 'n' roll and Mick's guitars have never sounded better, except of course for the glam strut of 'Too Fast For Love' and bombastic '...Feelgood', but just check that riff on 'Whats It Gonna Take' and the anthemic charge of the title cut, and you'll find the band brooding, and even Vince sneering on the lead weight 'MF Of The Year' and pummelling 'Just Another Psycho'. Huge choruses, lustful drums from Tommy, brusing bass from Nikki, and the occasional trip down memory lane with the twanging 'Down At The Whisky', but this is Crue on fire, seeking a fresh approach but by keeping it simple, incorporating their own brand of punky sleaze, and doing what they do best. What else do you want ? What else do we need ? Face lifts, friction, solo projects and mega bucks aside, this is Crue revamped and ready to go.

8.5/10