He's the One That Makes You Feel Alright

Posted by E

Monday, October 27, 2008

Music as an art form is an ever changing landscape, an entity unto itself that shifts and rolls like the daily tides, centering in on the societal and philosophical issues that bore into the minds of all thinking people. Though a subjective art, music allows us to expand boundaries, to commune on a primal level and to garner a greater understanding and appreciation of the myriad human experiences we all cope with. Inasmuch as it can relieve our burdens and soothe our pain, so too can it light a fire within us, bubbling passions to the forefront in a fiery thunderstorm of pent up energy.

Many communicate in this secondary language, though few achieve the fluency necessary to move and shape a generation. Every once in awhile, though, a piece of magnificence, an object of sheer beauty can find its way from the troubled and tormented psyche of the artist and shine forth to the world like a beacon of hope.

Happenings such as this are rare, only occurring a handful of times each generation. With the numerous volumes of music available at any time, it takes a great deal of effort to sort through the offerings and remove the chaff. But when one finds that connection with a masterpiece, it engenders a bond so strong that even the pains and rigors of life cannot strip them away from us. Music is as intrinsic to us as our names and are every bit as difficult to unwind from our egos.

But where to start the search for objects of perfection magnitudes higher than what we are daily presented? How best to seek out those melodies which will engage themselves in our deepest emotions? With the intimidating amount of musical information available to us, how do we determine what is best?

Music being subjective, there is no simple answer. We can, however, look to the opinions of those we know and trust in order to find the masterworks that define a generation. But one must be careful. For every "Cherry Pie", there are a thousand "Tommy" to be found. For each "Falco 3" there are endless "Dark Side of the Moon" afoot.

And so, without further ado, please allow me to take you on a journey through one of the great masterworks of the late 1980's. An album that encapsulates and exudes the raw, animal fear manifest in the streets of Los Angeles in a heated time in American history, as well as dealing with the range of emotions captured in our day to day interactions with one another. This is a piece that really allows you to exist within the minds of the creators, to share with them a slice of their life that will forever change you as a person, emotionally and spiritually.

I present to you... Dr. Feelgood.

The three chords which commence the album burst forth like a choir of cherubic trumpeting before the loud descent into madness. The horrors of street life are manifest in this first track, bleating of sirens coupled with the cold and dissonant voice of dispatch describing another OD'ed youth. The realities of the tough, gritty life no doubt currently lived by Vince Neil and cohorts is arrogantly shoved in your face. You may wish to turn your head to avoid the sights and sounds he and his motley crew present to you, but their reality exists up close and personal. Try as you might, you will never remove from your mind the horrors they wish to unleash. The terror mounts and multiplies until finally the track ends with the screeching of tires... capped off by the eerie silence of the inevitable crash's aftermath.

We are left, cold and alone, wondering what fate befell those whose tale we just experienced. But there's no time for past reflection. Much as Virgil led Dante Alighieri through the nine circles of damnation present in the afterlife, so too will Vincent serve as guide through the rigors of life, helping us to better understand the plight of our brothers, and perhaps to help us grow emotionally.

We are left with little time to reflect, however, as the guitars kick into the titular track of this LP, namely Dr. Feelgood. This song serves as warning to us average folk. It tells the tale of an average Joe, one Rat-Tailed Jimmy who begins his career as a lowlife thug, nothing more than a goon until he decides to engage in a personal enterprise based around the selling of cocaine and other inebriants.

Whereas Jimmy begins this tale with nothing more than the lint in his pockets, we are led to understand that he soon finds himself in control of a vast criminal enterprise, the cocky grin on his face belying his hubris. Jimmy feels that he has moved beyond the laws of man, having claimed a seat of power so all-encompassing that the combined force of all mankind could not bring him down.

As we know all too well, though, pride cometh before the fall, and before long there's a rumor going around that Jimmy is "going down". Apparently, this time it's going to stick. Unfortunately for Jimmy, his arrogance got the better of him, and like Tony Montana he found himself lulled into complacency by the intoxicating effects of money and power.

From one decadent vice to another we proceed and no sooner have the memories of Jimmy's downfall begun to fade than Neil returns to tell us a tale of seduction and intrigue in a direct and easy to understand manner.

Whereas many musicians of the day employed uncreative metaphor in order to discuss sexual matters, the Crue feel no need to hide behind obfuscatory language and instead engage the listener in a frank and honest discussion of the hedonistic desires that tear into them.

This song ("Slice of Your Pie" for those following along) seeks to force the listener to understand the quandary that Vince Neil has currently found himself embroiled in. Here he sits, lead singer for Motley Crue, a man who doubtless can have any woman he so desires, yet his current object of affection lies just beyond his grasp. He fears this conquest not because she presents a femininity stronger than he can comprehend, but because he fears both the accusatory glances of his friends and the possible statutory issues that could arise due to this forbidden love.

References are made in the song as to her age (nineteen, we're led to believe), though the general candor of lyrics would indicate that perhaps her age is a bit of a mystery. We are able to ascertain that she is a student, currently studying up and achieving good marks in "hoochie coochie", but again what level of education she is working on is left a mystery.

If she is of age, why the internal torment? Why can't Vince just admit to her his overwhelming feelings of love?

Many in the past have had to deal with these types of longing; Humbert Humbert and Kip Winger being two obvious examples.

Whatever the reason for his continued self restraint, we are never left with a satisfactory answer as to whether or not he ever claims his prize. I would wager not, which leads us into the next decadent tale of Epicurean delight, "Rattlesnake Shake".

The "Shake" picks up where "Pie" left off, a man in need of satisfaction but finding none available. Though Vince clearly lusts after the "kitten with a whip" presented before, no gratification was forthcoming, therefore he has had to turn elsewhere to find resolution.

It would seem that he found his way to a personal stash of some libidinous materials that he has squirreled away in his home, magazines and videotapes presenting myriad pleasures, all available at the touch of a button or the flick of a wrist, as it were.

Puns aside, here we have a man not afraid to take matters into his own hands. He's "got the rattle" as it were and his snake wants, no NEEDS "to spit". Unwilling to allow himself to remain unsated any longer he picks up the phone and dials a random 900 number so that the sultry voice on the other end can see him to the completion of the carnal act he was unable to perform with his previous desire.

With mankind's basest desire now satiated, we prepare ourselves for the next stage of the journey. For as the sexual act is the one that begins life, so too must we plumb the dark depths where the end of life lies. We may wish to avoid thinking of what lies beyond this mortal plane, but our own wishes mean nothing next to the power of the Crue's words and music.

The baritone rumblings of a motorcycle exhaust herald the beginning of our descent into death and eventual rebirth through resuscitative means. This song, "Kickstart My Heart", deals with the tragic heroin overdose experienced by bassist Nikki Sixx and his eventual return to life via two adrenaline shots directly to the heart.

Whereas most songs on this album employ a direct narrative, "Kickstart" focuses more on abstracts, drawing the listener in with the visions apparent to Sixx during his time away from Earth. If nothing else, they seek to bring about an understanding of the rush of feelings and surge of physical power manifested by those fateful shots.

Some may think of a return from death as a time to reflect upon our accomplishments in life, a chance to re-evaluate our purpose and drive on this plane. Others, like Sixx, think of naked skydiving and ladies with extraterrestrial bodies.

Having not been available at the time of writing, I do not wish to infer the deeper meanings of Sixx's metaphor, and as such I will refrain from commenting too heavily on this song. It is apparent that I do not need to, as this is one of Motley Crue's most famous and popular songs, no doubt because of the way the lyrics resonate so strongly with the average person's experience.

Having shared Sixx's death experiences, it is time to move forward with our musical journey, this time moving to the realm of emotions, namely "Without You".

This song's appearance on the album hearkens Vince Neil's triumphant return as lead protagonist in our ongoing tale. Though not explicitly stated, one could conclude that the object of affection to whom he is singing this song is the same "seductive ballerina" mentioned earlier. Only this time instead of secretly pining for her affection, Neil is actively courting her.

"Without You" is a chronicling of one man's struggle to achieve sexual congress. It is an endless procession of trite and groan inducing platitudes meant to incite emotional response. Though Neil could have this girl's physical affections at any moment he desires, he seeks to well up the excitement that doubtless burns in her loins.

Neil's intonations help us to understand the futility of ebullient language, forcing us to realize that sometimes a direct and honest communication of the feelings that lay within can provide greater results than the overly flowery wording that he attempts to use.

As Neil is our guide, his struggles are our struggles and his victories are claimed by us as well. Only by realizing the synergy between singer and listener can one truly begin to appreciate the depth of meaning inherent in this song.

What seems on its face like an endless string of empty platitudes is nothing more than the Machiavellian scheming of a man's mind, insistent that saying something intentionally over the top will swoon the lady towards him, even if those words, taken in context, might make him look the fool. It really is a brilliant tactic that Neil employs and one which we can only assume has worked for him before.

For the time being Neil gives up his conquest and we are whisked away to another soundscape, this time dealing with the homosexual element present in LA at the time, an element not unfamiliar to the Crue.

In "Same Ol' Situation" the band tells us the tale we've heard a million times before, relating to us with a sonic wink what we all know, deep down inside. And what do we know? That ALL women are lesbians. Every last one of them. They may seek to pretend that they are interested in the opposite sex, but all it takes is a Phillipino girl in a cellophane dress to turn them back to their rug munching ways.

As Neil puts it, "you just gotta laugh". Once again futility is the order of the day. The sometimes overwhelmingly nihilistic themes of the album come back to the forefront in this song. Why try? What good will it do? No matter how strong a foundation you attempt to build with someone, you can never fully trust their final intent. After all, "girls will be girls".

At least the band urges you to take these hits in stride. Sure, the love of your life may leave you some day for another female, but the fact of the matter is every last one of them ladies is a dyke, so to heck with it.

And now we're back to the conquest of the previous songs. This time Vince has to deal with unrequited desire. Though he has certainly convinced the "pretty, pretty with the sweet, sweet eyes" from his earlier crooning to be with him, perhaps even to go steady, to date they have yet to consummate this relationship.

The strain of unfulfillment wears heavily on our singer as he tears at the anguish roaring inside him. The only thing left in this world that he wants is the heavenly touch of his betrothed, yet for reasons beyond our comprehension he has yet to know her in the biblical sense.

Anxiety rips at his soul as he dreams about the "Sticky Sweet" treasures she doubtless contains in her trousers, yet for the moment fantasy will have to suffice. That is, until we reach the next song.

And here we are at track 10, the indisputed apex of the album. This is the song that we've been building up to the entire time. We have explored Vince's desires for the love of his life from every conceivable angle, from his first discovery at a young age through his courtship and eventual claiming.

But though they have been together in many ways, they have yet to "be together". And hence, "She Goes Down" represents the final consummation of their boundless affections.

Every song up to this point was laying the foundations for the act that entwines Vince and his lover for eternity. Her unselfish act of physical devotion forever seals their relationship, allowing them to blossom and grow into the nurturing and caring future that doubtless awaits them both.

Friction is introduced into their relationship shortly after the consummation, however, and before long Vince is asking his betrothed to leave. This is not done from spite, as we infer from the lyrics, but from a desire to test his lady fair.

He does not incite her with words of anger, nor does he seek to belittle or demean her in any fashion. He reminisces on the good times they shared together and then implores her to find her own way in life. He is not angry, he has simply lost his interest.

Considering the strong moral center displayed by young Neil, I suspect that his desire to see her go has something to do with the act they have just committed. He may have lusted after her endlessly, but the actual act of consecration was, in his eyes, an abomination to god due to their lack of matrimonial bond.

Not wanting to call into question her character, he simply urges her to find her way out of his life. She is not a bad person, she is just not the person he believed she was. He wanted a godly and motherly woman to care for him and their eventual offspring, when instead he found a woman willing to wallow in her lustful desires. Hence, "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)".

There is little question that this album details Vince Neil's desire to find a decent woman of pure virtue with which to have a child. Without question his final intent is to procreate and birth into this world an object of pure love and beauty, which leads us into the final song, a plaintive pleading for change.

The Crue understood that the heinous ways of Los Angeles at the time this album was created were too much for any society to bear. In order for there to be peace and tranquility for the future progeny, mankind must take a step back and evaluate what really matters in this world.

They have presented to us a collage of modern life and given us the nudge as listener to go out and effect true change in our world. It's not too late, they tell you, things can still change for the better and the world can be made safer and more caring. Just as Vince searches for his one true love, so too can we go out and find those things that fulfill us, in order to make this Earth a little bit better.

There are not many albums I can think of that inspire the listener to change the world for the better. As bitter and cynical as many in this world have become, it's refreshing to see a young group of stand up gentlemen take a stance for decency and caring.

It warms the soul to know that not everybody on this earth only cares about sex and drugs.

Long live the Crue.