Mötley Crüe: Theatre Of Pain (Elektra 960 418-1)****

ARTAUD FOR Artaud's sake? Cruelty, pain, speak of sin and you know this is it! No — actually this latest Crüe's ship hasn't hurt me one bit, despite all my worst fears. Up until now I've found the reality behind the sluttish party swagger of the Motleys to be one big turn-off, guys calling themselves loud rock 'n' roll melody but delivering tatty, forgettable shards of buzzsaw metal. I wanted to like them but...