Review | Vince Neil ‘Tattoos & Tequila’
Tattoos & Tequila
Vince Neil has a new solo album out, his third, titled ‘Tattoos & Tequila’. I heard his first solo effort titled ‘Exposed‘ which was released in 1993. It featured Steve Stevens on guitar (Billy Idol), so it had some interesting songs and great guitar playing on it (Living is a Luxury, etc.). But, did anyone ever hear his second solo record ‘Carved In Stone‘ put out in 1995? Back to ‘Tattoos & Tequila’, this is mostly an album of cover tunes, and before you say, Ahhh… who cares, let me tell you this, It rocks!
Vince has never won awards for his vocal abilities, that whining, high pitched, punkish-sounding wail that has made The Crue an instantly recognizable band is kept in check and Neil displays his vocal prowess on a number of tunes that you wouldn’t expect he’d be doing, and he does it quite well.
The CD opens with the title track ‘Tattoos & Tequila’ one of the two originals on the disc. It’s a good tune, not anything you’d call a hit or classic though. The other original ‘Another Bad Day’ is a Motley Crue throw away that didn’t make the cut on the “New Tattoo” LP, (anyone catch that album either), that’s pretty good as well, sort of a heavy ballad.
The Elvis tune, “Viva Las Vegas,” is a riff oriented cover that just doesn’t work. But, besides that one, there are some real gems on this CD that makes it more than worthwhile!
Among the highlights are Sweet’s “AC/DC,” Cheap Trick’s “He’s a Whore,” the sex Pistols “No Feelings,” and The Hollies, Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress). My all time favorite Aerosmith song ever, “Nobody’s Fault,” (off the Rocks LP) is covered here as well… an intense, heavy, true to the original cover that bleeds heavy metal blood and makes the CD worth the price of admission. Also, there’s the Scorpions “Another Piece of Meat,” a very odd choice, and Creedence’s “Who’ll stop the Rain.”
Overall, It’s kind of hard to get too excited over a cover album, but give Vince credit for doing some odd tunes, different stuff you wouldn’t necessarily expect. Plus, Best Buy has it for $7.99, and in this economy, almost anyone can afford that! Buy the CD… and buy Vince’s tequila, his airline tickets, his T-shirts, his book, his…
Favorite Track: “Nobody’s Fault”
Rating: 3-1/2 out of 5 Stars
Tattoos & Tequila Track Listing:
1. “Tattoos & Tequila” (Vince Neil)
2. “He’s a Whore” (Cheap Trick)
3. “AC DC” (Sweet)
4. “Nobody’s Fault” (Aerosmith)
5. “Another Bad Day” (Vince Neil)
6. “No Feelings” ( Sex Pistols)
7. “Long Cool Woman” (The Hollies)
8. “Another Piece of Meat” (Scorpions)
9. “Who Will Stop the Rain” (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
10. “Viva Las Vegas” (Elvis Presley)
11. “The Bitch Is Back” (Elton John)
12. “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” ZZ Top)
One Response to “Review | Vince Neil ‘Tattoos & Tequila’”
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Yeah, I know Vince hasn’t gotten many cheers for his vocal ability, but I place a lot of emphasis on how well a musician fits a band and helps its sound become distinctive. Vince definitely did that for Motley Crue. . .and, after all, isn’t that the job?. . .this ain’t opera.
As for the latest release, I also like the selection of covers, that they fit his voice but are not typical selections. That said, the title track is an acceptable rock tune, though one would like to see more maturity lyrically and musically from a guy who’s been in it this long. Are we really to believe that after all these years as an artist on this planet his lyrical expression is still limited to frat-boy subject matter and that his music is still formulaic derivative rock?
I wouldn’t turn this off on the radio, but I’d rather shell out cash for one of Nikki’s solo efforts — a lot more depth and originality there.
Peace and thanks for the great blog.