REVIEW: Methods of Mayhem, Methods of Mayhem (MCA)
- Joann D. Ball
"Hello, this is the operator with a collect call from the L.A. County Jail from Tommy. Will you accept the charges?"
With this plain and simple operator message, Tommy Lee opens Methods of Mayhem , the eponymous debut from his new band. Confronting his recent troubled past head on and without reservations, the former Motley Crue drummer wants to set the record straight once and for all. Whether it's considered Lee's version of primal scream therapy or his wicked musical imagination gone wild, Methods of Mayhem is definitely an intense and aggressive techno-infused hip-hop/hard rock hybrid that brings the noise.
Tommy Lee credits a record by Josh Wink as the inspiration for his new musical direction. But clearly, it was his well publicized prison stint that transformed a sound idea into reality. Using the time behind bars to rethink his life and his career, Lee was also able to record his thoughts, lyrics and melodies thanks to an outgoing message accepting collect calls on his home answering machine. From these humble origins Lee developed the project and record that is Methods of Mayhem. Making the great leap from heavy metal drummer to all-around musician, Lee sings, raps, drums and creates the beats, and also plays keyboards and guitars on Methods of Mayhem. With some help from rapper TiLo (Tim Murray), formerly a member of the punk-rap group Hed PE, producer Scott Humphrey and a new crew of friends, Lee delivers one of the freshest releases of the year.
The lead track "Who the Hell Cares" kickstarts Methods of Mayhem with a furious guitar riff that's as heavy as anything his old band ever delivered but with the added flava of Snoop Dogg's signature rhyming skills and some choice sampling. With its simple lyrics and memorable chorus ("who the hell cares where the fuck you come from"), "Who the Hell Cares" is also guaranteed to be a live concert favorite. On the next track, "Hypocritical," though, Lee poses the questions "Who sets the standards? Who sets the lines? Who you? Or do they rule your mind!" So, it's quite clear that Methods of Mayhem is as much about big badass sounds and phat beats as it is about deeper thoughts and serious issues. The point is driven home again on "Anger Management" where Lee explores the consequences of his behavior and also on "Proposition Fuck You," where Lee enlists the help of rappers Filthee Immigrants to explore social policy and appropriate resonses to it.
"Get Naked," the lead single from the release, is an explicit call to get busy. Part commentary on his infamous video adventures and part celebratory anthem for a favorite pastime, Lee fills it to the brim with guitar riffs, special effects and samples over a rock steady rhythm. Lee raps and sings the vocals on the track and gets extra help from George Clinton, who extols the virtues of doing it doggy-style, and from Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst who adds the nookie treatment. And proving that getting naked and doing the nasty is an equal opportunity activity, Lil' Kim makes it hot by contributing a trademark tell-all raunchy rhyme about what she needs and how she likes it. And topping it all off, Mixmaster Mike from the Beastie Boys adds his special magic touch.
In addition to the excellent "Get Naked," other standouts among the 11-tracks on Methods of Mayhem are the introspective "New Skin" and "Metamorphosis" on which Lee addresses personal change and growth. On both songs, Lee's straight from the heart vocals provide the perfect complement to the textured layers of sound. "New Skin" is particularly effective in conveying the dimensions of change as it shifts from a dark electronic and synth opening which recalls Nine Inch Nails to an acoustic guitar-based rock number with a hip-hop middle which features a guest rap from Kid Rock.
Most of the tracks on this ambitious debut emphasize Tommy Lee's talent as a lyricist. But on the liquid techno dance track, "Narcotic," Lee simply repeats the line "forget about rehab" and allows samples and sound bites to tell the story. And "Spun," a fluid, rave-appropriate instrumental which also features Scott Kirkland of Crystal Method, closes the record with a positive vibe and suggests a promising future of Methods of Mayhem.
At long last,Tommy Lee has broken free of all that has confined him in the past few years: the hard rock band he co-founded, the media that hounded him about his various exploits and the personal problems that threatened his marriage and landed him behind bars. And as a result, Lee has developed hidden and untapped talents as a musician and songwriter and has chosen to fully express himself through the innovative musical project that is Methods of Mayhem. By collaborating with a diverse group of artists, Lee has crafted the noteworthy debut record Methods of Mayhem which is a truly creative effort that cleverly combines musical styles and sounds. For information about the mad adventures of Methods of Mayhem, be sure to check out the official website http://www.methodsofmayhem.com
