UMUR "Dr. Feelgood" is the 5th full-length studio album by US hard rock/glam metal act Mötley Crüe. The album was released through Elektra Records in September 1989. After releasing a couple of commercially very well received albums in "Theatre of Pain (1985)" and "Girls, Girls, Girls (1987)", the members of Mötley Crüe had been touring hard and also build on their reputation as the most hard partying band in the business. Drugs, alcohol, groupies and fatal car accidents, the Mötley Crüe story features them all. However by the time they entered Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, Canada with producer Bob Rock, they were clean, sober and dedicated to the project of making the album (according to the liner notes in the booklet of the remaster/re-release). "Dr. Feelgood" is the band´s best selling album to date selling 6 million copies in the US alone.

The music is hard rock/glam metal with loads of commercial mainstream appeal (well...in those days at least). The sound production is powerful and polished. Other than the title track, which features a killer riff and some good hooks, I think the album features few really standout tracks though, but fortunately there´s nothing really bad on the album either. Even a sucker coated ballad like "Without You" is alright. "Dr. Feelgood" is certainly a step up in quality compared to it´s predecessor. The musicianship is generally pretty good, but Vince Neil´s vocals are a bit of an aquired taste. Sometimes his thin voice drowns in the soundscape. But then again he brings the right amount of charm and "fuck you" attitude to the sound too.

Overall "Dr. Feelgood" is another polished and mainstream oriented Mötley Crüe album. It´s one of their better IMO and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is warranted.

Stephen Wrapped up in a sobriety manner, Motley Crue's fifth album was widely considered their pinnacle by fans and critics. Released in 1989, "Dr.Feelgood" conquered the Billboard chart, grabbed 6 platinums, and spawned 5 singles. Even though I always think that "Shout" is their masterpiece, this album is probably their only effort that can match the strength of that 1983 classic. The core differences between those two are "Shout" is more evil, heavy, and violent while "Dr.Feelgood" is more serious, vibrant, and joyous. Bob Rock puts a spectacular attempt by polishing this album with an extravagant sound that's missing from their previous records. While some fans think this album is overproduced, I think it's a bold move and fits their musical style inside.

After the intro, you'll be greeted with an explosive thumping beat from the classic title track, this is where Lee and Sixx continuously formed a rapid rhythm to backed Neil singing the rappin verse and bombastic chorus. Mars' roaring intro at "Kickstart My Heart" blasted like a starting engine, the upbeat drumming and Crue's victorious chant injected a powerful energy to the listeners. The song, which was based on Sixx’s near-death overdosed experience, is the peak of the album. Some sexual-themed songs like "Slice of Your Pie" or "Sticky Sweet" are okay but not as good as "Rattlesnake Shake" or "She Goes Down". Couple of happy vibe catchy songs like "Same ol Situation" and "Don't Go Away Mad" are lovable and concert-regulars. "Without You" is a mandatory 80s typical ballad that's unfortunately weaker than "Home Sweet Home" or "You're All I Need", and the closing track, "Time For Change" isn't better as well.

However, the whole album is pretty much enjoyable. Many great and memorable songs, and despite couple of fillers, I think "Dr.Feelgood", together with "Shout At The Devil", are the best picks if you want to start listening to Motley Crue. Fans of traditional heavy metal might not find this very interesting maybe because the music is softer than they used to be and sounded commercial at times, but fans of mid-80s glam metal and melodic hard rock will find this extremely appealing.

Negoba Bob Rock Ruins His First Great Band

Bob Rock was a pop-rock engineer producer who was part of several big hard rock / pop outfits in the mid 80's including Loverboy, Bon Jovi, and the resurrection of Aerosmith. In 1989, he was enlisted to help similarly over drugged Motley Crue kickstart their career. It was one of the great successes of his career. As he had done before and would do again with Metallica, he vastly improved the production, add a "maturity" to the songwriting, and moved the band decidedly toward the center of mainstream appeal. The band gave up a significant part of its identity and everyone made alot of money.

Which is not say this is a bad album. The gearshifting whammy bar lifted from Ronnie Montrose was fresh for most of the kids, and the heavy groove of the title tune are great. There are some nice riffs here and there. But for the most part, what I hear is BLAND. Take the fangs out of that beast, Mr. Rock but don't let the kids see. Yessir.

The big hits of "Same Old Situation," "Just Go Away," and "Without You" are boring pop rock. The band that Shouted at the Devil now took it all back and said "all we needed was a laugh." Some of the songs hold up as Motley songs like "Piece of Your Action." But even the two rockers, "Dr. Feelgood," and "Kickstart My Heart" just seem too slick, lacking the power of "Wild Side" or "Looks that Kill."

Bottom Line: The Crue Cashes In