Nikki Sixx every metal fan knows as the bass player of Mötley Crüe, in 2007 he released his first album with Sixx: A.M. - at that time a side project. But for The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack they played live a lot and so his fans waited for a follow up. Like the debut This Is Gonna Hurt is accompanying a book, the debut was the sound track for his autobiography where Mr. Sixx talked about his life as a rock'n'roller and his drug addiction. This time the album is the musical counterpart to a photo book, Photography And Life Through The Distorted Lens Of Nikki Sixx. To get an idea about this book, watch this video: Episode One
Sixx and his mates James Michael and DJ Ashba kick off with the title track, a catchy tune which combines electro sound and rock riffs. Modern rock the American way. Next in line Lies Of The Beautiful People, a tune which should easily hit the Billboard charts. It's James Michael's unique voice which makes the Sixx: A.M. songs differ from their genre colleagues. There is a video for this tune, but in Germany you can't watch it via YouTube or similar channels which is a pity.
With Are You With Me Now they deliver a balladesque rocker with a catchy hook. After another rocker you finally get a real ballad - Sure Feels Right. And again it's the voice of James Michael which adds the special something. Actually there is no filler, even if Smile is in my opinion not as strong as the other tunes. One of my favorites is Goodbye My Friends which starts with a piano intro, then they add heavy riffs, but the piano theme is used later again. A heavy track with a melancholy touch. The closer Skin is a piano-based ballad which gives James Michael the chance to show another facet. An emotional tune which is touching. Later it gets a symphonic edge, it gets a bit bombastic - and also fragile. Well done!
If you look for something which sounds like Mötley Crüe, then you won't fall for Sixx: A.M., but if you like modern American rock with a great voice, then you will dig Sixx: A.M.!
