Ace of Spades - Motörhead

Ace Of Spades

Motorhead-Ace Of Spades *****

Before I start my official review I just want to say that Motorhead is without a doubt one of the all time greatest bands in the history of rock n' roll. Much in the same way The Ramones are one of the best and have a amazing following yet are not hardly ever given their dues, Motorhead is in the same category.

This is by far Motorheads best album. Ace Of Spades is an unrelenting, take to prisoners, punch you in the face and buy you a beer afterwards sort of rock n' roll album. Lemmy wrote so of his best straight up rock lyrics here, while not as politically charged as some of his later work the lyrics still are great. His vocal performance is rough and satisfying as always. His rumbling bass playing along side Philthy Phill's killer drum grooves and Fast Eddie Clark's amazing, and I do mean amazing guitar work is incredible.

From the rumbling opening riff of the classic title track, 'Ace Of Spades' through the sloppy 'Fast And Loose' (though I think sloppy was the point), the honest 'Jailbait' and the cliche' yet okay when done by a band like Motorhead 'Bite The Bullet' Ace of Spades is a damn near perfect album.

Some versions of the album come with three bonus tracks. These were originally released on a Ep with the band Girlschool. 'Dirty Love' 'Please Don't Touch' and 'Emergency' are all great additions to the end of the album and always make for a great and interesting listen.

It just doesn't get much better than this. This is the kind of rock n' roll album that can truly wear the badge of rock n' roll. It is unapologetic, loud, fast, angry at times and not during others. So if your looking for a Motorhead album this is the one!

Unrelenting

Motörhead has the reputation, much like AC/DC, of having made the same album again and again. But a quick comparison of Ace of Spades with other notables from Motörhead's catalog, notably Overkill, which has a somewhat more atmospheric bent, and later releases like Inferno and Kiss of Death, which are very bluesy by comparison, reveals a band that has pursued a number of variations in style, and all to great success.

With that in mind, Ace of Spades is representative of the most commonly perceived Motörhead style. Much of the album is in the speed metal vein that they helped to create (despite the claims that "We are Motörhead. We play rock n' roll."), though there are some clear blues influences ("The Chase is Better than the Catch," for example), and punk ("The Hammer" and many others) as well. As such, the album is an unrelenting assault on the senses. Its goal? To beat you into submission! And to this end it is successful.

I find, however, that despite its claim to fame, this is far from the best Motörhead album. All three of those mentioned above are stronger in their execution and songwriting though, much like The Number of the Beast to fans of Iron Maiden, this one lays claim to a special place in the hearts of the fans and in metal history.

In addition to the quality of the album as a whole, the bonus tracks here are a worthwhile addition and add a great bit of fun at the end of an already strong album.

ACR OF SPADES - MOTORHEAD.

If you a metal fan you already know about his album. It should be in everyones collection. Fast raw heavy thick energy. If the ramones are tin foil, this album is concrete and steel. The pace of this album is like sprinting a marathon.

UGH!!!

at our church (which represents the TRUE FAITH) we burnt this band in effigy. most of us wanted to abduct and actually burn the real musicians, but Father insisted that we couldn't. he said that the liberals in government passed laws making it illegal to burn sinners alive until they are dead and gone and can't corrupt our children anymore. he said we would probably get in a lot of trouble, maybe even end up in jail. I hate government!!!!! we've got to get it out of our lives!!!! this is an evil, bad awful band. they are a mockery of all that is good and righteous. i hate them i hate them. but i've still got to admit that this album rocks, and rocks hard, and that against my better judgement i really enjoyed it. so i give it 4 stars.

the classic line-up at their peak

Ace of Spades is the most famous Motorhead album for a good reason- it's nearly perfect. From the opening thrashing bass riff of the title track to the final notes of the closing song this is Motorhead in top form. There are other Motorhead albums that I think are as good as AOS, but it would be difficult to say any others are better. This is Fast Eddie, Philthy, and Lemmy in their prime, and the magic is obvious when listening to this CD. The blazing guitar solo in We Are The Road Crew, where Eddie literally falls over and the guitar feeds back in piercing noise, and then Eddie "recovers" and just picks up soloing again is one of the highlights of the entire Motorhead discography.

There is not a bad song on this album.

I highly recommend the "classic albums" DVD about the making of Ace of Spades as well, which is very interesting and entertaining.

Highlights: Ace of Spades, Shoot You in the Back, We Are the Road Crew, Jailbait, The Chase is Better Than the Catch, and bonus track Please Don't Touch.