Dr. Feelgood [35th Anniversary]

by Moetley Cruee

Overview

By 1989, L.A. hair metal poster children Moetley Cruee had done more than their share of living fast and had come dangerously close to dying young. Bassist and band founder Nikki Sixx did in fact overdose and (technically) die in the last days of 1987, one of several factors that led the infamously excessive band to steer clear of their hard-partying ways. A combination of rehab, time off the road, and upgraded pop production from Bob Rock resulted in Dr. Feelgood, the band's fifth, most successful, and arguably best album. The Cruee were no strangers to the charts at this point, with every successive release selling more and charting higher than the last. Dr. Feelgood, however, pushed the band into new territory. Rock's radio-ready production was great on raunchy rock songs like "Sticky Sweet" and "Rattlesnake Shake," but when applied to more accessible songs, the band transcended their party metal niche. The album's singles -- the sinister groove of the title track, the rocking adrenaline anthem "Kickstart My Heart," the by-the-numbers power ballad "Without You," the nostalgic romp "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)," and the lesser-loved lighthearted singalong "S.O.S. (Same Old Situation)" --- all hit the bullseye of radio-level catchiness, big-budget production, and mass appeal that the band had come so close to with their strongest output prior. Dr. Feelgood wasn't just a collection of great singles padded by filler, though. A renewed, sober Moetley Cruee pulled out all the stops on every song, as did Rock. The meaty drums, evil riffs, and bad-boy posturing were all amplified, and deft touches were hidden a little deeper in the mixes. That could mean backing vocals by Steven Tyler and Bryan Adams on "Sticky Sweet" (the groove-heavy frontrunner to Poison's "Unskinny Bop"), nods to Mott the Hoople on the sentimental finale "Time for Change," or unexpected honky tonk pianos and horn arrangements. Reflective and clear-minded without losing any of the fun of their more reckless days, Dr. Feelgood was the band's finest hour. It also marked the summit from which both Moetley Cruee and metal at large quickly tumbled. The album hit number one on the charts but would be the last with singer Vince Neil until 1997's lackluster Generation Swine. By that time, though, alternative rock had usurped the throne from metal, out-weirding and out-doing its glammiest and heaviest hallmarks. Despite the changing tides, Dr. Feelgood produced some of the band's most memorable and long-lasting songs and stands as their most solid front-to-back album. ~ Fred Thomas

Product Details

Release Date:	11/22/2024
Label:	Bmg
UPC:	4099964047721

Tracks

1. T. n. T (Terror 'n Tinseltown)
2. Dr. Feelgood
3. Slice Of Your Pie
4. Rattlesnake Shake
5. Kickstart My Heart
6. Without You
7. Same Ol' Situation (S. O. S. )
8. Sticky Sweet
9. She Goes Down
10. Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
11. Time For Change

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Moetley Cruee   Primary Artist
Marc LaFrance   Vocals (Background)
Bob Dowd   Vocals (Background)
Mark France   Vocals (Background)
Ian Pulz   Horn
Skid Row   Vocals (Background)
Steven Tyler   Vocals (Background)
Jack Blades   Vocals (Background)
Henry Christian   Horn
David Steele   Vocals (Background)
Tom Keenlyside   Horn
John Webster   Piano
Rick Nielsen   Vocals (Background)
Nikki Sixx   Bass,Organ,Piano,String Bass,8-String Bass,Vocals (Background),12-String Bass Guitar
Mick Mars   Guitar,Vocals,Voices,Vocals (Background)
Bob Rock   Bass,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Tommy Lee   Drums,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Bryan Adams   Vocals (Background)
Donna McDaniel   Vocals (Background)
Vince Neil   Shaker,Vocals,Harmonica,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Robin Zander   Vocals (Background)
Emi Canyn   Vocals (Background)
Dave Steele   Vocals (Background)
Ian Putz   Horn
Mike Amato   Vocals (Background)
Ross Gregory   Horn
Toby Francis   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

William Hames   Photography
Dave Donnelly   Engineer
Don Brautigam   Illustrations
Bob Defrin   Art Direction
Bobby Oberdorsten   Guitar Technician
Chris Taylor   Recording Assistant,Engineer
Kevin Brady   Artwork,Logo Design
John Webster   Keyboard Programming
Randy Staub   Engineer,Recording
Nikki Sixx   Composer,Lyricist
Mick Mars   Composer
Bob Rock   Engineer,Producer,Recording,Audio Production
Moetley Cruee   Composer
Tommy Lee   Composer
George Marino   Engineer,Mastering
Donna McDaniel   Composer
Vince Neil   Composer
Matty Spindel   Engineer,Audio Engineer
Mike Amato   Project Coordinator