When Mötley Crüe released 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 in November of 1981, it kick-started (see what I did there?) a 40+ year career that has seen the band reach the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Fueled by catchy tunes, tabloid madness, bigger-than-shit live shows, and undeniable charisma, there was a time when it was the most notorious band on planet Earth. Love ’em or hate ’em, the Crüe has ridden the “sex, drugs, & rock ‘n’ roll” wave better than any other band in the history of music. Its name is synonymous with excess (and it’s unbelievable the original members are all still alive).
My intro to The Crüe came courtesy of “Home Sweet Home” and “Smokin’ In The Boys Room”, sometime around 1985. Satanic panic was in full swing, and the Christian school I attended at the time would regularly sling all manner of fire and brimstone at bands like Mötley, reminding us kids that Hell awaited those of us stupid enough to succumb to temptation. Guess I’ll see ya down the road, Satan…
Cut to 1991. I had moved in with my dad and we were struggling to find our way around each other after several years of inconsistent visitation. Without a single friend at my new school, and to avoid arguments with Dad, my Walkman became my best friend. Anytime I had a free hour away from our store, I’d ride my bike to Sound Warehouse in search of something in the “cutout bin” (re: the cheap tapes). One day, I stumbled across the one Mötley offering I didn’t own at the time: 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲.
I paid my $3, popped it in my Walkman, and hopped back on my bike. By the time I’d gotten back to work, I’d already been pummeled by the songs “Live Wire” (an updated version of which I’d previously loved off the 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 ‘𝟴𝟭-‘𝟵𝟭 compilation), “Come On And Dance”, “Public Enemy #1”, and “Merry-Go-Round”. This was different from anything I’d ever heard from the band. It sounded feral, desperate, and hungry. These were four dudes (a “gang” as they called themselves before money and ego got in the way) living in the gutter, chasing a dream. My obsession with that cassette lasted for months. It remains one of my favorites by the band.
Mötley Crüe is now mostly a marketing concept. Fans are far more likely to get a new batch of branded shot glasses or salsa from the band than we are new tuneage. That’s cool, they had their run, and thanks to albums like 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲, I don’t have to wish for “new” because the “old” is still so damn vital.
Track List:
Live Wire 10/10
Come On And Dance 7/10
Public Enemy #1 10/10
Merry-Go-Round 10/10
Take Me To The Top 10/10
Piece Of Your Action 10/10
Starry Eyes 7/10
Too Fast For Love 10/10
On With The Show 8/10
Toast Of The Town* 8/10
Tonight (Raspberries Cover)* 7/10
Stick To Your Guns* 7/10
Grade: 87
* Tracks that Elektra Records removed from the original Leathür Records self-release of Too Fast For Love after signing the band and remixing the record.
