9. Their First Five Albums Are All Masterpieces...
Mötley Crüe's classic period stretches from their 1981 debut Too Fast For Love through to 1989's Dr. Feelgood. All five albums released in that period (also including Shout At The Devil, Theatre Of Pain and Girls, Girls, Girls) are among the greatest rock albums in history. Several of them are slightly flawed, but that just reflects the insanity of the band at the time. The albums are a snapshot of a group at the top of their powers, and few bands have such an impressive track record over an 8 year period. That's not to say that everything since has been awful. At least two of their later releases are well worth checking out. But those 5 records are unmatched, and fans know that. The first two records are raw, aggressive pieces of punk-metal, fusing stunning ballads with some of the group's heftiest riffs. Their balladry and song-writing expanded further on Theatre Of Pain and Girls, Girls, Girls, which are probably the most "transitional" of the albums here but are still damn good releases. But the masterwork, as everyone knows, is Dr. Feelgood. Has any band in history created an album that so impressively weds incredible choruses, massive riffs, gorgeous ballads, genuine headbangers, acoustic guitar segments and perfect production? Dr. Feelgood outshone and outsold every other metal album of the time. Fans still prefer hearing the classic tracks on tours, knowing that the band's best material came from that period. No doubt.