Saints of Los Angeles

In case you haven't heard, Mötley Crüe has released a new album entitled Saints of Los Angeles. I've listened to it a number of times, and as a long-time Crüe fan, I think I am qualified to express my humble opinions concerning the new music.

You may have heard their title track on the radio. It's a catchy tune that works itself into your head until you find that you've been humming or singing it to yourself without realizing it. The album has a number of similarly infectious songs. I'm particularly fond of "What's it Gonna Take," "Motherfucker of the Year," "Just Another Pycho," and "This Ain't a Love Song." All of these songs stick in my head and just will not go away. For this reason alone, I am glad I bought the CD and consider it cash well spent.

That being said, the album doesn't offer up any smash hits. The music will keep you awake if you're driving, and it will wind you up a little bit, but there is no high caliber hard rock hits on this record – nothing in the same league as "Kickstart My Heart" or "Shout at the Devil" or "Wild Side."

If you're familiar with the band's earlier work, many of the new songs will sound hauntingly familiar, at least in parts. Sometimes it seems they've borrowed so heavily from their earlier sound that it's almost as if an old song is playing inside the new song.

I don't have a problem with that since I love their old sound, and I'd much rather they stick with what works instead of getting mightier-than-thou and trying something totally new that sucks (like Metallica did with Saint Anger. UGH!)

If you're a die-hard old-school Crüe fan, you will probably find a track or two that suits you. If you jumped on the Crüe wagon late and only know a few songs from Dr. Feelgood, you'll find a few songs that you like. If you don't know anything about Crüe but like good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll about drugs, sex, women, and insanity, you'll find something you like.