Being a rock fan in the 80s meant Mötley Crue were inescapable. This’ll probably get me – ironically given the title of this, cancelled – but aside from “Dr Feelgood” and the one they did with John Corabi, I’d argue, they’ve never made a consistently brilliant record.
Which brings us to “Cancelled”. The first new stuff since “Saints Of Los Angeles” in 2008 (a case in point, given that it’s at times sensational – at others absolutely awful).
“Cancelled” is a decent opener. Thick groove, that effortless way of playing songs made for arenas as they offer thoughts on the modern world which ends with Vince Neil suggesting we “bang our heads against the motherfucking wall.” Probably the only response to 2024, honestly,
Credit to them for not rehashing the ’80s, and that continues in the harder-edged “Dogs of War.” Modern metal shines, as does John 5 (the guitarist these days).
But this is Mötley, so the third of these—a Beastie Boys cover—sees “Fight for Your Right” delivered with all the wit and skill of Beavis and Butthead.
Mötley Crüe: if nothing else, they are still making records. And here, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Rating: 7.5/10
REVIEW: MÖTLEY CRUE – CANCELLED (2024)
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