Mötley Crüe changed a lot between 1983 and 1989. The attitude was still there but the sound was different. In 1983, they were young, loud and dangerous, bringing a darker and heavier sound to the Sunset Strip. By 1989, they were making huge songs with massive production and taking over the charts.
And both sides gave us some unforgettable tracks.
“Shout at the Devil” and “Dr. Feelgood” are two of the band’s biggest albums, but they don’t feel the same at all. One has that raw early Crüe energy, while the other sounds ready to fill an entire stadium.
So, which Mötley Crüe era do you prefer?
“Shout at the Devil”
Released in September 1983, “Shout at the Devil” reached No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and went on to sell over four million copies in the US. Is the album that helped cement Mötley Crüe’s heavy metal identity.
It’s dark, aggressive and has that dirty early ’80s attitude. Mick Mars brings the heavy riffs, Nikki Sixx keeps the bass punchy, and the whole record has an edge that is hard to ignore.
The title track is one of those songs that grabs you straight away. “Looks That Kill” and “Too Young to Fall in Love” are also essential Crüe tracks, while their version of “Helter Skelter” adds another dose of attitude.
There is no need for fancy production tricks here. “Shout at the Devil” has the kind of sound that makes you want to turn the volume up and let the neighbours deal with it.
For fans who love the darker, rougher side of Mötley Crüe, this album is hard to beat. It has that early metal spirit, and you can hear a band hungry to make some noise.
“Dr. Feelgood”
Six years later, Mötley Crüe returned with “Dr. Feelgood”, released on September 1, 1989. This time, things were bigger, tighter and much more polished. Produced by Bob Rock, the album became the band’s first and only No. 1 album on the Billboard 200.
It was also recorded during a period when the band members were newly sober, and that change came with a different kind of focus in the music.
The title track opens the door with a massive sound, and “Kickstart My Heart” is another classic that still gets the blood pumping. “Without You” shows the more melodic side, while “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” and “Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)” bring those big hooks that made the album such a success.
The production is clean, powerful, and made for big speakers. Guest backing vocals from rock royalty, including Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, and the guys from Skid Row add massive depth to the record.
“Dr. Feelgood” became Mötley Crüe’s biggest commercial success, reaching No. 1 and selling over 6 million copies in the US. Some fans prefer the dirtier sound of the early albums and find this one a little too polished. But there is no denying the strength of those songs.
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The Battle: Raw Metal or Stadium Anthems?
This is where the Crüe fans might disagree.
“Shout at the Devil” has the darker riffs, raw attitude and early heavy metal sound. It feels dangerous and hungry. “Dr. Feelgood” has bigger hooks, massive production and songs that became huge rock anthems.
One is the album for fans who love the band’s early metal days. The other is the sound of Mötley Crüe reaching the top of their game commercially.
Personally, I think both albums have their place in the band’s history, but this is not about being fair. We need a winner!
If you could keep only one Mötley Crüe album, would you choose “Shout at the Devil” or “Dr. Feelgood”?
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