MÖTLEY CRÜE — Shout At The Devil (review)

MÖTLEY CRÜE — Shout At The Devil album cover Album · 1983 · Glam Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Pekka
Following their debut Too Fast for Love Mötley Crüe were picked up by Elektra Records, which resulted in a proper budget to record their sophomore effort. Released as Shout at the Devil, the album definitely benefited from that, as it has a much punchier and fuller sound than its predecessor, the rawness of which I also appreciate, though.

After the short intro the album starts with a bang, as the title track and Looks that Kill were clearly their most powerful shout-alongs yet. To go with their new darker image the music has a somewhat more metallic edge, which is especially apparent in the next track, Bastard. Throw in the brief guitar instrumental God Bless the Children of the Beast and a totally banging rendition of Helter Skelter, few would've had the guts to cover that, and I find the entire first half of the album pure gold.

Red Hot's drum intro was good enough to be stolen to Guns n' Roses' Double Talkin' Jive eight years later, but after that the second half is considerably weaker than the first. The band performs with energy and feel, but the best riffs are already spent on the first half. But luckily the album ends on a high note with Danger, not their first and definitely not their last song about LA and Hollywood, but one of the best with a great ominous atmosphere.

Along with the fuller sound and the brilliant material of the first side, one big merit of this album is the improved voice of Vince Neil. The cat squeal comes through at times, but otherwise it's gained a lot of power since the debut. One five star side and one three star side, overall probably their best album.
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Pekka wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Thanks :) I've been listening more to their self-titled and Saints of Los Angeles recently, some rewiews coming up hopefully soonish.
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
That´s a really great album. It took me pretty much by surprise that it was as raw as it is. I think you describe the album very well.

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