MOTLEY CRUE
Crucial Crue – The Studio Albums 1981-1989 (5CD & 5 Vinyl Box Sets)
BMG
American sleaze rockers Motley Crue formed in 1981 and have regularly been in the press (not always for the right reasons), and sometimes derided (sometimes for the right reasons), but let’s not forget they have produced some very fine tunes along the way.
This set takes in the first five studio albums, basically the 80s; five digipaks in a box, the albums, it does what it says on the tin. It would be easy to expect each album to be expanded, and while it’s a shame there are no extras, it does a job and a very fine job it is too. Equally well packaged, there’s lots here to enjoy, and this period was the band’s heyday. The original lineup was vocalist Vince Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx, guitarist Mick Mars and drummer Tommy Lee.
The first album is the band’s debut; originally recorded in 1981 and released in very limited numbers, it was remixed and partially re recorded for reissue when the band signed to Elektra. Dangerous hard rock, sleaze, hints of glam boogie, melodies stolen from the likes of the Bee Gees and played with a lot of fire (probably bourbon too). Even with the remix and overdubs it’s still quite rough and ready, but there’s enough to grip.
1983’s Shout At The Devil was the band’s breakthrough, and rightfully so. Whether or not you like the direction, there are some solid tunes here, and it’s more cohesive than the debut. It split the critics at the time, there were plenty who took the pentagram usage as satanist, and plenty more who thought the band were band were all image. Well, the latter, they were. But even with the drug and alcohol addictions as well as controversial behaviours starting to take off, the title track is a killer tune, and tracks like Bastard, Knock’em Dead and the cover of The Beatles’ Helter Skelter all stand out.
1985 and Theatre Of Pain. I’m going against the grain here as I love this album. While the album lacks the fire of the previous two, it is more glam, less sleaze, and a whole lot more commercial. That doesn’t make it “Plodding” as some described – in my opinion it works and is proof that fans (and critics) don’t like a change of direction). Home Sweet Home is a fine power ballad, and the cover of Smokin’ In The Boys Room a fine cover (sleazy to the point of nodding at blues metal). The band and many fans may look back and want to gloss over this album, but it’s another solid listen and some of Mick Mars’ guitar stands out. This is one I go back to more than most.
The sound of the previous two albums was combined for 1987’s Girls Girls Girls, an album directed at MTV with a sleazy/bluesy yet commercial and cliché ridden feel. Opener Wild Side and the title tracks are good listens, energetic. Some tracks are good but a little ordinary by comparison, but still well worth a listen. The jury’s still out on the live cover of Elvis Presley’s Jailhouse Rock. Fun though.
The decade rounded off with 1989’s Dr Feelgood, to date the band’s biggest seller and most acclaimed. Something that I’ve never understood. A little heavier in places, and more consistent (a collective push for sobriety??), and the band trying (too) hard to become known for music than their drink and drug shenanigans. That effort swayed many, but to be honest, I find the album boring compared to earlier efforts. It lacks a groove and a decent tune. While it’s heavy and energetic, there’s no spark, an honesty that’s missing. Aerosmith were suffering similarly at the time. While the album has its moments, and fans, to me it’s lacking a lot; the epitome of an overrated album.
The box set if a very fine package. Each album has the original album booklet, and while there’s no overall notes or extras, that’s not what this box is here to do.
I’ve not followed the Motley Crue releases ardently, I don’t have the expanded editions to compare to, just a couple of original CDs, but the sound here is much better than those early CD releases. If you’re happy with a more than decent box of the original 80s studio albums, a decent package and sound, this box hits that note perfectly.
Joe Geesin | Now Spinning Magazine
Does the Shout At The Devil booklet have the same mistake as the previous cd version? When BMG reissued the individual cds last year, the booklet for Shout had Dr. Feelgood era pictures in the booklet.