Motley Crue - Red, White & Crue
VH1’s “Behind the Music” was made for bands like Motley Crue. This is a band that knows all about the rock mantra of “sex and drugs and rock ‘n roll” and their latest release, Red, White & Crue is their way of chronicling their rise and plateau of rock stardom. This two-disc set is a greatest hits package and is symbolic of a band that knows something about excess because this compilation is just that: excess. My biggest gripe with this compilation is that its been done before. In fact, just last year the band released their second extensive box set. That’s right. Box set, Part Two and that didn’t even cover the Generation Swine album to the present day lineup, also known as the original, reunited Crue lineup.
Given that criticism, this is a fine collection of what made Motley Crue a standout of the ‘80s and early ‘90s metal bands. For anyone who has a secret indulgence in the “Monster Rock” CD compilations, this will be a worthy addition to your collection. The compilation includes all of the Crue’s biggest hits, including “Dr. Feelgood,” “Shout at the Devil” and “Girls, Girls, Girls.” The sappy ballads “Home Sweet Home” and “All I Need” are also included. The slow songs do not hold up well in time and are more laughable than nostalgic.
In addition, the disc includes three new tracks, including “Sick Love Song,” and “If I Die Tomorrow” (written with Simple Plan). “If I Die Tomorrow” is a worthy rock tune and the band updates their sound to today’s rock standards. The last of the new tracks is a new take on the Rolling Stones “Street Fighting Man.” Considering that the Crue loved to put their own spin on classic rock tunes, the disc does include two stellar covers, namely “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” and a surprisingly good cover of “Anarchy in the UK.” But, the Crue definitely botches up “Helter Skelter” and “Street Fighting Man” is just downright not an enjoyable listen.
The most interesting aspect of the compilation is listening to Vince Neil and his de-evolution as a singer. Vince never had a great voice but that didn’t seem to be a requirement for a heavy metal frontman in the ‘80s. But listening to the tracks on more recent albums, the boys in the background (Mick Mars and Nikki Sixx) have turned up their amps and Tommy Lee pounds on his drum louder to drown out Vince’s voice. The tracks included on the disc include tunes from the John Corabi era. Yes, the Crue actually put out albums in the early ‘90s when they rid themselves of Vince Neil. Like another stadium rock band from that era (Van Halen and the dreaded Gary Cherone incarnation), Motley Crue showed that even with a more talented voice at the helm of the band, you can’t replace the rock star swagger needed for this type of genre.
Even with the two-disc set’s excess of tunes, the first disc is worth its weight. Not surprisingly, the second disc includes the Crue’s most popular track, “Home Sweet Home” in the hopes that someone will actually listen to the new songs. But, to fully appreciate Motley’s contribution to heavy metal, a full listen of “Looks That Kill” and “Livewire” are all you need. This will be a trip down nostalgia lane for many of us children of the ‘80s but one word of caution: please do not attempt to wear your spandex pants from the ‘80s. They won’t fit.
