Generation Swine

Don't get me wrong, the album rocks in plenty of spots. The band continued to move forward with a very modern sound. However, it overall falls flat. Vince's vocals are severely restrained (and strained) in spots, and in plenty of spots the album doesn't sound like Vince or the Crue at all.

Some specifics: The opening track "Find Myself" gets the album off to a good start--a heavy, modern track with a good deal of attitude. I also like the modern yet somewhat melodic sound of the second track and first single "So Afraid". I even kind of dig the modern remake of "Shout At The Devil"--as it is not a bad update to the original song. Vince also sounds a bit like himself on such songs as the title track. However, what on earth is with the vocal effects on a song like "Beauty"? "Glitter" is absolutely a horrid, cheesy ballad; whoever said that this compares with the classic ballad "Home Sweet Home" must be smoking something funny. Even worse is the closing track "Brandon". Who cares that it is an ode by "legendary father figure" Tommy Lee to his son? It is a dreadful, weak song that has no place on a Crue album.

After this album, the Crue seemed to really be headed in the right direction with the two new songs that they put on the greatest hits album that came out a year after this one--as "Bitter Pill" in particular was about the perfect blend of classic pop metal and modern rock. Then they totally reverted back to a watered down version of their '80s classic sound with "New Tatoo". The various musical directions this band took after Vince returned to the fold have had me (and other Crue fans, I'm sure) scratching their heads. This album was the beginning of that. Still an interesting release that does have some merits. Just not in any way a vintage Crue album.