By: Michael Drukarsh
Crue fans can now hear the newest single that shares its name with their latest release, the three song EP, Cancelled. Following tracks, “Dogs of War” and the Beastie Boys cover “Fight for Your Right”, “Cancelled” continues the trend of “meh” releases from the notorious bad boys of rock who now, when combined have an average age of 60, brought down because of newest member John 5 who is 53.
According to drummer Tommy Lee, the band read an article asking the question, "How did Motley Crue ever not get cancelled?”. "And we were like, 'Fuck, we got to write a song about that because we didn't ever get it'", the drummer explained on the Club Random podcast. "We snuck in under whatever threshold, wherever that was, where we got away with fucking murder." An ironic statement if there ever was one considering lead singer Vince Neil did in fact “get away with murder” after killing Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzel Dingley in a drinking and driving car crash. But, I digress.
The latest single actually starts out pretty strong, with a heavy riff and beat that might be right at home on any of Crue's earlier albums. Unfortunately, all hope disappears as the first weak “scream” of Neil breaks through. What follows is a pretty clear “enhanced” vocal performance by Vince with lyrics that just seem put together to keep the rhythm and rhyme without thought of actual content.
If the point of this song is to take a swing at the politically correct, canceled culture we now apparently live in, lines such as “Riot in the capital, press in a grapple” and “Supermodel sandwich, selfie in the backseat” don't really make a big impact. We’re not expecting Shakespeare, but still, a little more thought to content would be nice.
Is it a horrible song? No. Is it better than the other two singles off the new EP? Yes. Is it classic Motley Crue? Without Mick Mars, nothing will ever sound like classic Crue again.
My advice, throw on “Too Fast for Love” and enjoy what we once had, because we will never have it again!
MÖTLEY CRÜE will return to its roots with shows at three famous Los Angeles clubs next week. The band will perform at The Troubadour on October 7, The Roxy on October 9 and the Whisky A Go Go on October 11 as part of their "Höllywood Takeöver". And then are set to hit Vegas for "The Las Vegas Residency", a spate of 11 shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM set to take place in March and April 2025. The band will perform March 28-29, April 2, 4-5, 9, 11-12, 16 and 18-19. All shows start at 8 p.m.
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