It's really been a lot of years now since new music from MÖTLEY CRÜE made for much more than passing interest from anyone but us old folks who still want to remember some of the better times of our youth. That being said, MÖTLEY's surprisingly big rebound on the concert scene a few years ago with the four original members somehow revitalized interest in the band. So, the original four have reconvened for the first time since what is universally regarded as their worst album, 1997's "Generation Swine", and decided to give it another go as a recording unit. "Saints Of Los Angeles", a concept album that was to be the soundtrack for their movie The Dirt which has yet to be made, definitely finds the band throwing themselves back into the style that made them a huge act back in the day. While definitely better than "Generation Swine" and 2000's "New Tattoo", "Saints Of Los Angeles" is missing something to make it a true classic in the band's catalog.

That something might just be chemistry. While this is certainly recorded well, and each member of the band does their work admirably on the disc, the results are a touch flat. If anything, that "fun" factor that made albums like "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "Dr. Feelgood" memorable classics is just plain not there. Some of that clearly can be related directly to the storyline that dominates much of the album. The album details the band from their hungry days trying to get signed and make it through superstardom. Ultimately, much of the material is somewhat of a downer. It's clear that MÖTLEY CRÜE has had their share of problems with the women throughout their careers. Long before there was a TMZ, the CRÜE's exploits were world famous, and they are recounted here several times. "Chicks = Trouble", "Just Another Psycho" and "This Ain't A Love Song" all make it clear that the women in the world of MÖTLEY CRÜE haven't been a joy to deal with. Other songs that outline their struggles to make it additional keep the mood down. "What's It Gonna Take" and the struggling "Face Down In The Dirt" make it clear that this band feels they succeeded in spite of the recording industry that was around them at the time. Admittedly, it's their story to tell. The problem though is that the message really makes this release kind of serious and a downer - something that's never been a staple of MÖTLEY CRÜE music.

While it's not too hard to find some negative elements of this album, there's a lot of positive as well. There are some songs that rock the way the CRÜE used to. Songs like "Goin' Out Swingin'" stand as the best this band has done since before the name John Corabi entered the picture. Guitarist Mick Mars provides his best work in years here, while drummer Tommy Lee pounds out a masterful beat over top of some thunderous bass lines from Nikki Sixx. For the most part, even vocalist Vince Neil sounds pretty good on "Saints Of Los Angeles". His register may not be what it use to be (not that he was EVER great), but he's more crisp than he's been in many years here. Songs like "Motherfucker Of The Year" and "Saints Of Los Angeles" prove that Neil can still sing enough to secure his position in this band. While much of this sounds like four guys laying down their respective parts in a studio instead of giving off that true "band" sense from days gone by, it's still good to hear MÖTLEY CRÜE remember what they used to be about.

Overall, it's not the best MÖTLEY CRÜE album ever, but it's certainly not the worst. It's doubtful that these guys could ever put out a monumental album again as their lives have changed to the point that it's doubtful they see each other much outside of doing official MÖTLEY CRÜE business. That being said though, they are trying and have succeeded to create a decent batch of new MÖTLEY CRÜE songs that should play nicely underneath their movie, should it ever get made. Now, if remembering where they came from could just convince them to help out some old friends instead of touring with the garbage that will be out with them on the CRÜEfest, then all would be right in the world again.