Band: Mötley Crüe
Album title: Saints Of Los Angeles
Label: Eleven Seven Music
Distributor: EMI
Release date: 24/06/2008 - June 2009 Re-release
Release: CD

Who doesn’t know the American glam rock band called Mötley Crüe from hits like Girls girls girls, dr feelgood or kickstart my heart? If you don’t, ask your mom and dad and they will tell you the story about sex drugs and rock ‘n roll.

It all started in Los Angeles, California in 1981. Founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx (who played in a band called London) and drummer Tommy Lee, were later joined by guitarist Mick Mars and singer Vince Neil and so Mötley Crüe was born.
The band was notorious for their hard-living lifestyles; all of them have had numerous meetings with the law, spent time in jail, and were heavily addicted to alcohol and drugs. And don’t forget the countless escapades with women.

After the release of 13 cd’s and a couple of dvd’s, the released a 14th studio album called Saints Of Los Angeles. As a medium fan of the Crüe, I was really looking forward for this one.
At first I was a bit disappointed. Knowing Mötley, I expected a lot of fast rock ‘n roll with lots of “whoas” and “yeahs” but on this one the stay away or at least very well hidden. But after giving the album some time to grow on me, I noticed that the songs are more personal than on previous albums (e.g. “The animal in me” witch already is a new favorite of mine). Still containing fast rock songs, the album doesn’t have that certain Mötley vibe or groove you were expecting. This time there is more room for melodies and personal vocals and the guys have taken elements from modern rock.
This may not be a sing along album (don’t worry, there are songs on witch you can do so), this is a personal record about Mötley Crüe’s past (the addictions, the fame and what it does to you,…..). And if you can see it in that way and let you touch and move you, you got yourself a gem of a record.

94/100

Jeroen.