A live Motley Crue release without the word “fuck.” It’s amazing. I had to listen again to ensure my ears didn’t deceive me.
It seems the Crue is finally turning into four real musicians, thereby allowing their talent be the focus of this two-CD release. Even when potty-mouthed Tommy Lee gets on the mic to encourage a sing-along, he isn’t cursing. Wow. What age will do to a band that used to swear like it was the only thing that could mask their lack of talent.
Anyway, this collection celebrates the sucessful Carnival of Sin tour (of which there is also a DVD). I grew up on Motley Crue, their Shout at the Devil release being one of my first heavy releases. I am, therefore, glad that the band chose to represent that release with six tracks — if you include their cover of the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter.” The Dr. Feelgood release is well-represented with five tracks, though the tease of “Without You” is only 1:39 and leads into the classic “Home Sweet Home.” In essence, the set list is a good one and there’s not many missing classics.
So, the Crue isn’t swearing, they’ve put together a setlist that relies on their best material and they sound cohesive. On this night, on this release, Motley Crue sounds like the kick-ass band that won a slew of awards in the media for putting on a great show. I’ve seen them twice and, both times, I was not impressed. Here, though, vocalist Vince Neil sounds good. Drummer Tommy Lee lays down the backbeat foundation for guitarist Mick Mars and bassist Nikki Sixx in “Too Young to Fall in Love” and the frantic tempo of “Red Hot.” During the mood shifts in “Wild Side,” Lee nails all the signature fills that made that song a chapter in the Drummer’s Guide to Nailing the Beat (available now at your local bookstore).
I was impressed with this release, more so than I wanted to be given my history of taking every opportunity to dis this band. On Carnival of Sins, Motley Crue sounds amazingly good. It makes me wish I had seen this tour.
