I remember the day, back in 1989, when I picked up my copy of Dr. Feelgood, day of release.  From the first listen, it was impossible not to be hooked.  The record was so well produced and contained so many standout, catchy tracks, it quickly made its way to the top of my list of favorite Crüe records.  It’s amazing to think that it’s been nearly 20 years since that record was released. 

I mean, let’s face it; Saints of Los Angeles (SOLA) is really the first true Mötley Crüe record since Dr. Feelgood.  I’m a huge John Corabi fan, and I thought the self-titled record the band did with him was solid, and both Generation Swine and New Tattoo had their occasional moments, but SOLA is really the return to form that Crüe fans have been waiting nearly two decades for.

From the first listen of the lead single (Saints of Los Angeles), I knew we were going to be in for something special.  The song contained everything you could wish for in a Crüe tune, sounding like it could have been written during the Girls, Girls, Girls or Dr. Feelgood sessions. 

SOLA finds the band in rare form; singer, Vince Neil, is at the top of his game with his trademark screechy tenor, and guitarist Mick Mars really tears it up, shining through with the band’s traditional crunchy guitar nastiness.  And perhaps more so than any other band from the glam-metal genre, the rhythm section is just as prominently featured as the lead, with drummer Tommy Lee pounding away with a killer, thundering sound, and bassist/band leader, Nikki Sixx, gluing it all together with a solid-as-always performance on the four string.

SOLA’s overall sound and production is absolutely tremendous.  The sleazy metal shoots from your speakers like a sonic projectile, knocking you back through your seat.  As for the songs, while SOLA is not the best Crüe record in the catalogue (topping Dr. Feelgood was not going to be possible), it does contain some instant classics that should be a lot of fun to hear live during this summer’s Crüe Fest, and subsequent tours.  In addition to the title track, Down At The Whisky, The Animal In Me, This Ain’t A Love Song, and Goin’ Out Swingin’ are all written and recorded in the classic Crüe vain and are standout tracks. 

I finished reading the band’s autobiography, The Dirt, just a couple of weeks ago, so it’s interesting to map many of the songs on SOLA to specific parts of the book.  (The band has gone on record as saying The Dirt inspired the songwriting for the record.)  In fact, I draw such a connection, you could almost call SOLA a soundtrack to the book.  Perhaps not as direct or deliberate a connection as Nikki Sixx/Sixx: A.M.’s brilliant Heroin Diaries, but the parallels between The Dirt and SOLA are hard to miss. 

SOLA is really as good of a record as Crüe fans could have hoped for.  Tommy’s back, Vince is still there, and the attitude, sleaze, performances and power that made Mötley Crüe one of the most successful bands of the glam-metal genre are all prevalent throughout the record.  SOLA is likely to remain in you iPod or CD changer all summer, so if you haven’t done so already, pick this one up.

4 stars (out of 5)

Vince Neil - lead and background vocals
Mick Mars - guitars and vocals
Nikki Sixx - bass and vocals
Tommy Lee - drums and vocals

Track Listing:
01. L.A.M.F.
02. Face Down In The Dirt
03. What's It Gonna Take
04. Down At The Whisky
05. Saints Of Los Angeles
06. Mutherfucker Of The Year
07. The Animal In Me
08. Welcome To The Machine
09. Just Another Psycho
10. Chicks = Trouble
11. This Ain't A Love Song
12. White Trash Circus
13. Goin' Out Swingin'