With Carved in Stone Vince Neil continues to define his life after Motley Crue. The Crue lead singer was fired by the band in 1992 after ten years of multi-platinum success. Neil was replaced by John Corabi and Crue fans deserted in droves resulting in poor album sales and a tour canceled for low ticket sales. Motley Crue contends Neil was more interested in car racing than in the band and didn't show for rehearsals while Neil contends he was always there. While Crue slung mud, Neil was quiet until hitting his former band with a lawsuit settled out of court.
After this professional disaster, his network of musician friends assisted him. He collaborated with Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw on "You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come)" which appeared on the Encino Man soundtrack album just two months after his firing. Working on his solo debut album Exposed, Neil needed a band and Billy Idol suggested his former guitarist Steve Stevens. Stevens brought a strong, experienced underpinning to the new band which included: ex-Enuf Z-Nuff drummer Vik Foxx, bassist Robbie Crane and rhythm guitarist Dave Marshall of Fiona's backup band. Tracks in Exposed were written by the band, Shaw and Blades. For its first tour the band opened for Van Halen and did two solo legs. Exposed was a world wide platinum debut. Some portion of these sales were curiousity and sympathy but how much cannot be quantified. The album did receive several mediocre reviews.
Nearly four years has passed since he left the Crue and with a debut album and tour behind him, Neil's Carved In Stone will be standing or falling on its own merits. There have been rumors that the album would be hip-hop, rap, dance. Not true. Carved In Stone is a hard rock album with some rock ballads. There have been two changes in the band. Highly regarded Steve Stevens has been replaced with ex-Wildside guitarist Brent Woods, and guitarist Marshall is gone replaced by Martin Frederickson. The band does not seem stronger for these changes. The focal point is Neil's voice and vocals are high in the mix. There are few interesting musical solos, just musical pauses until Neil sings again. The lyrics are simplistic and concern the usual stuff of relationships, doing what you want, etc. Shaw and Blades are absent from song credits; even "Skylar's Song", written about his 4 year old daughter's unsuccessful battle with cancer, is an insipid tune. The power of this theme in the hands of Clapton produced "Here In Heaven" while Neil seems to find this beyond his ability. Tracks "Breakin' In The Gun" and "The Crawl" are the first two on the album and two of the best.The album seems to slide slowly downhill.
Neil's rock and roll life blew up in his face with the unexpected firing by Motley Crue. Now fronting his own band, Neil clearly needs a stronger band behind him. For some reason he hasn't done this and ridded himself of two good guitarists; perhaps after his Crue experience he is nervous about having a strong band. Motley Crue could use a stronger singer but they may have the same feelings of keeping the lead vocalist in a weak position. Unfortunately, a great rock and roll band, Motley Crue, has split and produced two average bands. Advice: Carved In Stone was released this month and is available now along with the "Skylar's Song" single. Only pick these up in the bargain bin, where they are already appearing.
