"If you're a fan of classic Motley Crue and you're tired of playing Dr. Feelgood and similar on repeat, then check out The Saints of Los Angeles."

Follow up:

8/10

1. "L.A.M.F" - 1:23
2. "Face Down In the Dirt" - 3:44
3. "What's It Gonna Take" - 3:45
4. "Down at the Whiskey" - 3:50
5. "Saints of Los Angeles (Gang Vocal Version)" - 3:40 Watch the video!
6. "Mutherfucker of the Year" - 3:55
7. "The Animal in Me" - 4:16
8. "Welcome to the Machine" - 3:00
9. "Just Another Psycho" - 3:36
10. "Chicks = Trouble" - 3:13
11. "This Ain't a Love Song" - 3:25
12. "White Trash Circus" - 2:51
13. "Goin' Out Swinging" - 3:27

In the last few years, I've discovered that I, like one of my cohorts here at Edge Reviews, have a thing for 80s music. I got into glam metal long after its death back in the early 90s. Motley Crue was one of those bands whose old stuff I discovered to be quite fun to listen to (and make for some really fun songs to play in Guitar Hero.) I don't care much for 90s Motley Crue, as they got away from the old style and went for a more hard rock sound that just doesn't do it for me. Therefore, it serves to reason that I would be interested the first album with all of the original members since 1997. Then, when I heard the new album's title track, "The Saints of Los Angeles," I knew I had to pick up the album, so I did just that.

Motley Crue seems to have gotten in touch with its origins on The Saints of Los Angeles. They managed to create a new sound that captures the essence of old school Motley Crue. Everything from the 80s is here - lyrics involving drugs, sex, and alcohol, catchy riffs, and glam style guitar solos. For fans of the old sound, like myself, the results don't disappoint, as TSoLA turns out to be the best album from Motley Crue since 1989's Dr. Feelgood.

TSoLA's lyrics are well-written and each song tells a different story. Some songs are fairly serious (see the title track), others are nostalgic (see Down at the Whisky), while others are simply ridiculous (see This Ain't a Love Song.) The album as a whole seems to tell Motley Crue's story. This is undoubtedly what they had in mind when recording the album, as a movie is in the works for 2009 that will tell of all the trials and tribulations the band has endured up to this point. Also, the vocals on TSoLA are top notch, as only Vince Neil can deliver. With this album, Neil proves once again why he is the lead singer for Motley Crue, not John Corabi.

As for the music itself (read: guitars), it's fairly solid. Some of the songs, such as Goin Down Swingin and the title track, have catchy riffs that tend to get stuck in your head. Most of the guitar solos are good, too. All around, most of the songs are well-written and fun to listen to. Unfortunately, the album doesn't have many memorable tracks. The Saints of Los Angeles (title track) is pretty much the best song on the album as it is the most fun to listen to and has the most memorable riffs.

Overall, The Saints of Los Angeles is a decent album that should appeal to fans of old school Motley Crue. It's a step in the right direction for this band that has been through its share of heartache in the past two decades. If you're a fan of classic Motley Crue and you're tired of playing Dr. Feelgood and similar on repeat, then check out The Saints of Los Angeles. It isn't on the same level as the 80s music, but it will at least give you nice burst of nostalgia.

Links

Motley Crue on Myspace
Motley Crue's official website
Buy the album

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