There’s two ways I could go with this review. I could criticize Nikki Sixx for being self-absorbed for forming a band to sing songs about him, or I could praise it for being one of the best albums of last year. I’ll take the latter. Like I said, Sixx:A.M. was formed by Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx. He recruited vocalist James Michael and guitarist DJ Ashba (Sixx, Ashba, Michael. Get it?). Between Christmas 1986 and Christmas 1987, when Sixx was with Motley Crue, he had a hardcore addiction to heroin and actually died at one point, but was revived by a paramedic who was a Motley Crue fan. During these dark times, he kept a diary of all the events. Which is quite impressive itself, since he was high most of the time. Anyway, when he re-discovered the diaries, he decided to make it into a book titled “The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star.” Then he made a soundtrack to the book (soundtrack to a book?), one song for each chapter in the book. This is “The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack”
First off, this is a very talented band. Whether Michaels’ singing a high note or a low note, he is able to do it right. DJ Ashba is also just as good on the guitars. He has several solos throughout the record and they all sound great and intense. One sad exception from the “official” band is their drummer. Joshua Stephens fills the drummer spot perfectly and consistently. There isn’t a part (that I found) on the album where he falters. His name is in small font in the back of the cover booklet under the “additional members” section. This guy is too good to ignore. But, I understand that it would screw up the band name if they threw in another initial. Nikki is good as well. He wrote just about all the lyrics, which is fitting because they are all about him.
This album has some of the grittiest and real lyrics I’ve ever heard in music. They are unrelenting in taking dark times in Nikki’s life and putting it into songs. Whether it’s describing a heroin trip or describing a withdrawal, it’s in great detail. This is most evident in “X-Mas In Hell,” “Pray For Me,” “Girl With Golden Eyes.” There are three interludes on the album like in a musical or play. The first is “X-Mas In Hell” which serves as an intro to the rest of the songs. This is spoken word with Nikki unfolding the events of December 25, 1986:
“December 25th, 1986 - Van Nuys. Merry Christmas.
That's what people say at Christmas, right?
Except normally they have someone to say it to.
They have friends and family,
And they haven't been crouched naked under a Christmas tree
with a needle in their arm like an insane person in a mansion in Van Nuys…
I didn't speak to a single person today.
I figured why should I ruin their f**king Christmas.”
The second is aptly titled “Intermission” and the last one and the last track is “Life After Death.” This has Nikki talking about how despite what happened, he can’t blame anyone for what happened, etc. At the end of “X-Mas” and “Life” there’s a children’s choir singing in the background and then comes into the foreground as Nikki stops talking. It’s a good touch. There are several tracks where Nikki reads excerpts of the book. “Day two. I can't believe it's been two days without junk/F**king smack, it just ruins peoples' lives. At first it seems so sweet, then you wake up next to a monster.” It’s like a train wreck. You feel bad for what happened and don’t want to hear what happens next, but it’s so intriguing that you want to.
There are several standout tracks on here. First is the first single “Life Is Beautiful.” This is a unique song for it’s one of the few uplifting, positive mainstream hard rock songs. From the verses and chorus, it has such a positive message behind it. “Pray For Me” follows Nikki going through a withdrawal and going crazy because the girl is hiding his drugs. Then she tries to take him to church and he’s scared to. This is one aspect that is talked a lot about throughout the album. Nikki’s religion. All through the soundtrack, Nikki talks about his struggling faith like: “…She drags me to church but I’m scared to commit…” from “Pray For Me.” Arguably the biggest standout is “Girl With Golden Eyes.” The comparison between heroin and a seductive girl is startling. This song is the prime example of the lyrics I was talking about. “I wish I had never kissed her/'Cause I just can't resist her/The girl with golden eyes/Every time she whispers
'Take me in your arms/The way you did last night.'” There are several more comparisons on the track that are just as compelling.
Most bands these days sing songs that just brag about “tough times in their life” and they come across crappy and cheesy. Nikki Sixx and SIXX:A.M. not only break, but shatter that mold. They deliver an album that is heartfelt and drenched in emotion with killer instrumentals. Nikki took a bold and courageous leap of faith with “The Heroin Diaries soundtrack” and delivers. This is in my opinion one of the best albums of 2007. If you want a hard-hitting, gritty album, look no further.
