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Most of this record contains only later
songs, from during the "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "Dr.
Feelgood" era, and throw in "Home Sweet Home"
- those of which were left off the original "best of"
some time around '91. Add in two of the "hits" from
their comeback "Generation Swine" as well, "Glitter"
and "Afraid," and delete anything that even closely
resembles their self-titled failure without Vince Neil, and you've
got "Greatest Hits." It's difficult to gauge this new
release, because fans that liked the band before will have no
problem buying this disc, and fans that didn't probably won't.
So for the sake of trying to build up a buzz to attract new listeners,
we'll direct our attention to the two new tracks they included.
With any luck, either or both, which do recapture the nature
of the 'Crue long past, as well as a certain modern texture,
will make a dent on commercial radio before long.
The opening track, and first single, "Bitter
Pill," gives off the same effect as did "Primal Scream"
a few years back. Both songs are heavy and welcome additions
to each respective "hits" record. "Bitter Pill"
caught me a little off guard. Trying to get used to their musical
overhaul that was "Generation Swine" a couple of years
ago, I was expecting to be neither impressed or surprised by
these new ones, and I can honestly say I was a little of both.
A thunderous guitar riff blazes through
the opening prior to Vince going into his oft-maligned wail.
Once I got past the first minute or so, the song began to sound
much like the Crue I remembered, with their light-hearted chorus,
thinning-out what was an otherwise heavy track. The next new
one, "Enslaved," took on the style of the last record
- more confusing musical effects, but still a sound much in the
Crue tradition. Neil sang as if he was trying to sound just like
Mark Slaughter. Strangely enough, perhaps I never paralleled
their two styles so closely.
I rate the new songs pretty high though,
since it seems like the band's somewhat prudently trying to recapture
a bit of the ambition and tradition that once made "Motley
Crue" one of the most respected rock bands on the planet.
If they stick more in that direction they'll be all right I would
think. |
