Chris Chaney, Jimmy Coo, Rolleen G., Mayte, Scott Humphrey, Kai Huppenen, Dylan Lee.


It takes guts to walk away from a band like Motley Crue to go out on your own, especially if you're a drummer. With the exception of the Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl, few have succeeded in such a scenario. For his second solo album Tommy Lee drops the Methods Of Mayhem tag in favor of his own name and relies less on hype and more on heart for inspiration. Tommy stays rooted in rap metal while adding a more sensitive side, which might be attributed to the turmoil in his personal life.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT couldn't be a more appropriate name for this largely autobiographical collection of songs. From "Afterglow" speaking of life's lessons learned to the rap over synth-funk of "Body Architects" which advocates accepting responsibility, Lee seems to have matured. His wild side lingers in the vengeful "Face To Face" and "Higher," a mosh pit anthem, but it's pain and loss that fuel most of the album. The tender "Why Is It" asks why we don't stop to smell the roses, and "Blue" brings out a scream of anguish louder than any lyric. Lee's remake of David Bowie's "Fame" proves that the notorious rock rebel can still poke fun at himself.