MICHAEL MONROE
Life Gets You Dirty
SPV Records
www.spv.de

Back in the early eighties, Michael Monroe was the lead singer for Hanoi Rocks, a Finnish band that had multinational musicians.   One of the pioneers of the Glam/Metal movement, Hanoi Rocks had it all going for them.  Big hair, clothes, stage presence, hard rocking clever songs and a three album deal with CBS.  But in 1984, drummer Razzle was killed in a car accident in which Motley Crue's Vince Neil was the driver (Neil was convicted of manslaughter, but only got probation).  In one rare example of how some bands are dependent on each other as a unit, Hanoi Rocks broke up a few months later.  One of the great "what if's" of rock history. 

Now 16 years later, Michael Monroe releases a solo CD.  A time warp of 80's music as if nothing else has happen musically since 1984.  On the cover a 40-year-old Monroe sucks in his cheeks, a feathered boa wrapped around his arms, his dated big hair appears to be slightly thinning.  It is one of the most pathetic and embarrassing sights that I've ever seen.  Overall the music is not bad, but I think its time that Monroe to realize that his time has come and gone, and it's time to get a job in public relations. David A. Kulczyk