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(More customer reviews)Motley Crue's "Too Fast for Love" (1982) is one of the band's finest albums, as well as one of their most overlooked. Originally released independently in 1981, the album was remixed and released the following year on Elektra Records. Although the Crue wouldn't break through and hit it big until the following year with their landmark "Shout at the Devil," (1983) "Too Fast for Love" remains a cult/fan favorite.
"Too Fast for Love" does and does not have the Crue's sound that most people are familiar with. "Too Fast for Love," although quite pop sounding at times, does not sound like a pop-metal album, the way their other 80s albums do. While it certainly has the classic Motley Crue sound and feel; these songs sound rawer, more punkish, than the bands later work. Overall it is the band's least commercial, least polished album. Comparatively speaking, "Too Fast for Love" is like a diamond in the rough.
While "Dr. Feelgood" (1989) is a great album, no doubt, the songs are sophomoric and tailor-made for MTV. Although "Dr. Feelgood" is a definitive album from that era, it's somewhat contrived. "Too Fast for Love," in contrast, sounds far more dangerous, genuine, and lived in. When the band recorded "Dr. Feelgood," they were complacent multi-millionaires and on top of the rock world. When the band recorded "Too Fast for Love" they were struggling and hungry. The songs on "Too Fast for Love" reflect that.
While most Motley Crue albums have four or five very strong songs, with the rest being good, but not great, every song on "Too Fast for Love" is memorable and well written. As the cliché goes, it's all killer and no filler. Calling "Too Fast for Love" a pure "punk" album in the truest sense of the word wouldn't exactly be accurate. But there is definitely an element of punk to the album. It's probably most comparable to Generation X or Billy Idol's early solo albums. In other words, it's not hard-core punk, but assessable punk, with a fair amount of pop-content.
On thing that immediately strikes the listener is how young and hungry the band sounds. Motley Crue never sounded as good as they did on their classic debut. They really sound like their ready to take on the world.
These are Nikki Sixx's best penned songs. Although always a gifted songwriter, on subsequent albums he would at times try too hard, or try to embrace a trend. There is nothing contrived or pretentious about "Too Fast for Love." The songs are genuinely dangerous and come straight from the heart.
Vince Neil sounds fully fearsome, an indisputable street punk. Mick Mar's playing is top-notch and gives all the songs a real vitality. Tommy Lee's solid pounding is stellar as always, even when he was just a kid.
"Live Wire" is probably the most well-known song on this disc. Fast and furious with a great hook, it's a good way to start off the album. The up-tempo "Come on and Dance" is one of the album's more popish songs and keeps up the momentum. "Public Enemy #1" is one of the Crue's most underappreciated songs. Fast and highly melodic, it's an anthem that epitomizes youth and rebellion. The album slows down a bit for the bleak "Merry-Go-Round." Young and poor at the time, when Vince Neil asks "am I going down?" he meant it, which makes the songs sound all the more real. "Take me to the Top" and the Motley staple "Piece of your Action" are fast paced and infectious. The strength in the former is its melody, and the strength in the latter is its fierceness. "Starry Eyes" has an almost hypnotic intro and a haunting chorus. The album's title track "Too Fast for Love" is another anthem, akin to Skid Row's "Youth Gone Wild," which was recorded almost a full decade later. The grand finale, mini-epic, tragic "On with the Show" is a perfect way to conclude the album.
I really don't have any bones to pick with "Too Fast for Love." From start to finish, the songs are all superb. Although not as well known as some of the bands later work, it surpasses much of it. "Too Fast For Love" stands besides "Shout at the Devil," and "Motley Crue" (1994), as the band's edgiest, most genuine, rocking music.
The reissue of "Too Fast for Love" has many bonus songs that should be of interest to fans. The upbeat "Toast of the Town" and the popish "Tonight" are up-to-par with the rest of the album's songs. It's great that they have finally seen the light of day. The mid-tempo "Stick to your Guns" is good, but not quite as strong as the other tracks. "Too Fast For Love" with the alternative intro is cool, and is a nice bonus.
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