|
What’s the 4-1-1?
Motorhead's self-titled debut album was originally released in 1977 and
it shows the band as they were in the beginning. Despite being quite different
from
the considerably more popular Motorhead albums
that followed, the group's self-titled debut still rocks. The sound here
has a bit more of a punk vibe to it than later Motorhead albums (understandable
since 1977 was punk's breakthrough year), as well as a sound that is considerably
more raw than later albums.
Just about every song on here is excellent.
We've got the band's classic eponymous track, which makes for one hell
of an opener, along with other classics like "Lost Johnny", "Iron Horse/Born
To Lose", and "Vibrator." These songs aren't exactly good in the same
way that cuts from later albums were, but they are still excellent. Any die-hard
Motorhead fan will get a big kick out of the band's raw, underproduced
debut.
The Cleopatra Records 2005 reissue includes
the entire Beer Drinkers And Hell Raisers EP in the
form of bonus tracks,
along
with an extra live cut. It's a good package - definitely the definitive edition
of the band's debut.
Still, the album itself isn't perfect. People who aren't die-hard Motorhead
fans may hear this album first, and then get the wrong idea about the
band. Likewise, even with its so-called remastering treatment, the
album still
sounds pretty raw and underproduced. Still, in the big picture, these
are minor flaws.
The Verdict
Overall, Motorhead's self-titled debut album is a nice little relic
of an age in the band's career long-since forgotten by all but the
most loyal of Motorhead fans. If you're a big time fan, definitely
check this one out. If you're anything less, go directly to Ace
Of Spades.
Did You Know?
Most of these songs were recorded in sessions prior to these, but the record
company refused to release them. Those early recordings were later released
on the On Parole compilation. Likewise, Lemmy originally recorded
"Motorhead" (the song) and "Lost Johnny" with his old band, Hawkwind.
Rating:  out
of 5
Related Reviews:
Motorhead - Stage Fright DVD
Motorhead - Inferno
Spin the Bottle: An All-Star Tribute to KISS
Numbers From the Beast: An All-Star Tribute to Iron Maiden
--Darth Kommissar
|
MOTORHEAD
