By: David Schultz

Nikki Sixx’ defiant ability to survive deadly heroin overdoses was just one facet of Motley Crue’s decadent mystique. In conjunction with the release of The Heroin Diaries, consisting primarily of Sixx’ mid-Eighties’ journal entries, the resilient bassist has recorded an accompanying soundtrack with his latest group, Sixx A.M. Along with guitarists DJ Ashba and James Michael, Sixx conjures up a score of sludgy beats and middling hard rock riffs in an uninspired effort to give depth to his reflection on his addictions.

Hopefully Sixx’ written journals are more perceptive than the thoughts and observations expressed on the album. If not, Sixx’ near death experiences and withdrawal ordeals gave him absolutely no meaningful insight. Giving an idea of what Judy Blume’s Tales Of A Fourth Grade Heroin Addict might read like, Sixx relates his feelings and observations with shallow depth and lazy introspection. His uninteresting tale is also not a cautionary one: Sixx seems to look back on his drugged out days with a slight fondness, showing little regret as his addictive habits didn’t cost him anything. John Lennon conveyed more with one scream in “Cold Turkey” then Sixx does with an entire album.

In the absence of any interesting music, Sixx A.M.’s The Heroin Diaries could be neatly summed up in one sentence: being on heroin, not so good; off heroin, better. It’s unlikely you needed Nikki Sixx to tell you that.