Released in 1981, Mötley Crüe's debut album, Too Fast For Love is a seminal piece of rock music that defined the glam metal genre via ten tracks of hard-hitting, high-energy rock that captured the Crüe's raw and rebellious sound.

With cover art reminiscent of The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers, Mötley Crüe were demanding the world sit up and take notice and notice they did for the RIAA (Record Industry Association Of America) has certified Too Fast For Love as Platinum; selling over 1,000,000 units. Not bad for a debut!

While most fans lean towards their second album Shout At The Devil, along with Dr. Feelgood, fans should avoid Too Fast For Love at their peril for it is an astonishingly good album that is not only addictively compelling but gets better each time you listen to it.

Sonically, however, the lossless stream, via Apple Music, fails to truly impress. It’s your classic case of a memorable recording being remastered to meet modern loudness standards. It’s been mastered so hot that even tone controls have little to no beneficial effect concerning dialling the album to your personal preferences for the soundstage is unnecessarily muddy from the get-go. Look, it’s adequate, but it could have been so much more dynamic.

The Dolby Atmos stream also on Apple Music, disappointingly, does little to improve things. Other than being a little fuller, there really is no difference between this edition and the stereo mix. That’s not uncommon, especially considering the album was originally intended to be delivered in stereo, but it also feels as if it was a missed opportunity and only done to say that it was done rather than being undertaken because it offered music lovers another way to experience this classic album.

Despite the lacklustre remastering and reissue attempts, Too Fast For Love is really all about the music, so join me as we take a look at the songs, some of them classics, that make up this 1981 debut.

Live Wire is a killer opener. From the thunderous drum beat that sets the tone for the rest of the album, to Vince Neil's gritty and powerful vocals, and guitar riffs that are simply electrifying, Live Wire is nothing short of a classic hard rock anthem that has stood the test of time.

Come On And Dance has an incredible rhythm and a strong blues-inspired sound that works incredibly well with just enough distortion to amplify the song rather than detract from it. It is, without a doubt, one of my favourite Mötley Crüe songs.

Public Enemy #1 flows beautifully from Come On And Dance and Mick Mars’ licks are off-the-charts good. I don’t know about you, dear reader, but my air guitar is worn out from playing along to this high-energy punk-influenced track.

Merry–Go–Round slows the album down a little, but this ballad-styled song shouldn’t be overlooked for it is thoroughly enjoyable; even if it isn’t a standout. Although, Mars’ solo certainly amplifies the song and showcases the direction that he would take on future Mötley Crüe recordings.

Take Me To The Top is a fast-paced rocker with a killer guitar riff and a catchy chorus. The duelling guitar and bass rhythm is pure gold and while the shifting elements change the tempo throughout, it is these aspects that make Take Me To The Top one of the best songs off Too Fast For Love.

Piece Of Your Action has a killer riff and chorus that will get stuck in your head for days. It’s 80s rock and roll at its best. Magnificent!

Starry Eyes is a slower, more melodic, tune with a great hook, addictive rhythm, and some stunning guitar work.

Too Fast For Love is a high-energy rocker but it’s also a mixed bag. It isn’t fundamentally bad, but Neil’s vocal, in particular, is lacklustre and diminishes the impact that the song could have had. Also, the shifting direction of the song throughout drives me nuts. It’s Crue 101 but I simply don’t feel it’s a great title track.

On With The Show slows things down again, with a more ballad-like sound, that features some beautiful guitar work and some of Neil's best vocals on the album. Yes, it’s a little dated to the era and has a campy sound, but it’s solid nonetheless. As the album’s closer, however, it’s underwhelming and doesn’t always encourage me to spin the record again or stay within Mötley Crüe’s back catalogue; a shame considering a shift in sequencing may have had a vastly different impact.

Packed with high-energy rockers, melodic ballads, and killer guitar work, Too Fast For Love is a must-listen debut album that has not only stood the test of time but it showcases the drive and musical talent of this motley crew. While it isn’t their best creative output, it offers an insight into the monster of a band that they would ultimately become and is therefore essential for any fan of Mötley Crüe or the 80s hard rock music scene.