Motörhead

[Anvil]

Listened to 1916 not that long ago and it is a good album. 

[Eoin McLove]

Nah he had cancer, there's videos on youtube of festival appearances the year he died and he's just not there at all, grim viewing.

Robbo is just apparently an annoying dick doing stupid shit, one story I remember from the book was they'd be playing in a venue in the deep south or something in a venue full of bikers and he'd walk out on stage in like tighty whitey shorts trying to wind them up  . He got kicked out of Lizzy for similar stuff, getting into bar fights and fucking up his hand the night before a big tour.

  Funny you'd think that getting in bar fights would suit Motörhead's image, maybe just not in short shorts!

[Eoin McLove]

I didn't realise it was Brian Robertson. I hadn't made the Lizzy connection there at all. Makes sense of the change of style of Another Perfect Day and also explains why it's so good. He has a fair old resumé in fairness considering he was so disliked.

[Trev]

I've always liked a few of their songs here and there, but the only album I ever picked up was Bomber and didn't think much of it so never bothered exploring further. Might need to dig it out again and give it another go

[KingHostile]

Always head a soft spot for 'March or Die'. The first 3 albums are rocking! 'Please Don't Touch' With girl school is a rocker of a song and a great idea! 'Born to Raise hell' was a great track as well...

Hammered opens well but drops off I think.

Motörhead (1977), Overkill (1979), Bomber (1979), Ace of Spades (1980), Iron Fist (1982)...what an output!

What the live DVD its in Black n white and weirdly at the end theres a Green light when Orgasmatron gets played....... some epic songs!

Love Motorhead!

[Circlepit]

Of the first  few classics Bomber is the one I listen to the least.
It sounds like he is saying Obama in the chorus of the title track and I can't unhear it.

[DaveG]

1916 is the low point of the 90s for me, everything else is very solid.

80s stuff is great top to bottom but it's the Overkill, Bomber and Ace Of Spades trilogy that are top of the list. Orgasmatron is a personal favourite.

[Pain Medicine]

Was the gig you were talking about the '09 Olympia show? Think my Dad drove me down for my Birthday. Lemmy went off stage a couple of times during the set after losing his voice.

Love the earlier stuff but Inferno through to Motorizer are still special to me as I picked those albums up as they were released and seeing them on the Kiss of Death and Motorizer tours were some of the first gigs I went to.

A massive 100 song 'Lost Tapes Vol 1-5' collection was just released today.

[Eoin McLove]

Was the gig you were talking about the '09 Olympia show? Think my Dad drove me down for my Birthday. Lemmy went off stage a couple of times during the set after losing his voice.

Love the earlier stuff but Inferno through to Motorizer are still special to me as I picked those albums up as they were released and seeing them on the Kiss of Death and Motorizer tours were some of the first gigs I went to.

A massive 100 song 'Lost Tapes Vol 1-5' collection was just released today.

Yeah I think that was the one I was at. It was in the Olympia anyway.

[jobrok1]

I'll hear no bad words about 1916. 

They don't really have any bad album, for sure. They were always consistent, even though they always seemed to just churn out an album and tour every couple of years.

[TheRuts]

Motorhead (1977) - Decent enough start, with elements of Hawkwind still evident in the sound. Arguably, the cover wrote a cheque that the album couldn't cash (in comparison to the rest of the back catalogue), but the title track and 'Iron Horse/Born to Lose' stand up.

Overkill (1979) - Stone cold classic. Taking the initial blueprint, dirtying it up with punk and adding the excess of 'Stained Class' era Judas Priest with a bit of futuristic ambivalence, this is a masterpiece of metal, with the title track and 'Tear Ya Down' being particular stand outs. Classic Joe Petagno cover as well.

Bomber (1979) - A disappointing comedown from Overkill, with some particularly naff songwriting and lack of power in the production, although the title track is a winner. Lemmy would later place the blame on producer Jimmy Miller, but he even conceded that he wasn't on his game around this time.

Ace of Spades (1980) - Overfamiliarity does indeed breed contempt, but a ferocious production and some lesser discussed gems like 'Shoot You in the Back' and 'The Hammer' means there's far more to this LP than an iconic title track and shite cover.

Iron Fist (1982) - Although plagued by personnel issues, we still get a cracking record from the classic line up. The title track is an obvious classic, but others like 'Go to Hell' and '(Don't Let 'Em) Grind Ya Down' mark this out as an underrated gem. Class cover as well.

Another Perfect Day (1983) - Long regarded by some as a misstep, retrospective listening makes it clear this is a classic 'Head LP. Brian Robertson's guitar work is sublime: utterly bombastic, but subtle when it needs (such as on 'One Track Mind' and the title track). Clear as a bell production as well.

Orgasmatron (1986) - Derided for Bill Laswell's mix, this is an immense record which contains some of my favourite songs from the band ('Claw', 'Built for Speed', the title track) and another class cover. The title track almost flirts (inadvertently) with industrial rock due to the repetitive groove.

Rock n Roll (1987) - Another disappointing moment, despite the likes of 'Eat the Rich' and 'Stone Deaf in the USA.' Production isn't as boisterous as it should be, and the Michael Palin cameo is wasted on here.

1916 (1991) - The major label years, and what a record. Some of the finest moments alongside some left field (for Lemmy and co.) material like 'Love Me Forever' and 'R.A.M.O.N.E.S.' The title track is a poignant look at the Battle of the Somme, demonstrating Lemmy's power as a songwriter.

March or Die (1992) - A comedown from the heights of the previous LP, although nowhere near as bad as some have suggested, probably because 'I Ain't No Nice Guy' and 'Hellraiser' overshadow the rest of the songs and the terrible, label enforced cover of 'Cat Scratch Fever.' However, 'You Better Run' is worth the entry fee.

Bastards (1993) - Lemmy often regarded this as a top 3 'Head album. Maybe more of a top 10 one, as 'Don't Let Daddy Kiss Me' (despite it's good intentions) doesn't sound convincing coming from Motorhead. Still, who can argue with 'Burner'?

Sacrifice (1995) - Wurzel's final album is stodgy and inconsistent. Too much filler and little in the way of killer. Great cover nonetheless.

Overnight Sensation (1996) - An improvement over the previous record, but not one I return to an awful lot.

Snake Bite Love (1998) - Solid, but not really memorable.

We Are Motorhead (2000) - Back on track with a collection of killer songs, a decent cover of 'God Save the Queen' and an epic cover, Motorhead entered the 21st century firing on all cylinders.

Hammered (2002) - More excellent tunes, with 'Brave New World' being a top 10 'Head song. Closer 'Serial Killer' is genuinely creepy.

Inferno (2004) - My favourite. Blistering production, memorable songs and throat ripping vocals combine to make a record to live your life by. Best Petagno cover as well.

Kiss of Death (2006) - Going for a more bluesy feel, it pales in comparison to Inferno, but there's still enough on here to entertain.

Motorizer (2008) - The last truly great album from Lemmy and co. This is Inferno part 2. All killer, no filler.

The World is Yours (2010) - 'Get Back in Line' is a class song, but the rest doesn't scale the same heights.

Aftershock (2013) - The first album where I knew Lemmy wasn't for this world much longer. Although leaning more on the band's rock n roll roots, Lemmy sounds exhausted.

Bad Magic (2015) - Despite having a title similar to a Little Mix single released that year, Lemmy and co. bow out in fine fashion. He manages to work up the venom needed, and allows for a little poignancy in tracks like 'Till the End.' We really didn't need the Stones cover, however.

[ochoill]

Bastards is the only Motorhead album I know the whole way through (ignoring obvious singles etc from the rest of the Catalog) and it is a lethal album.  Except for that fuckin yoke in the middle of it, Don't Let Daddy Kiss Me, rest of it is class.

[leatherface]

'Orgasmatron', 'Bomber' and 'Ace of Spades' are my favourites of their output. I think Motorhead released albums just so they could be on tour, hence the sizeable and patchy discography. There are swathes of releases of theirs I have never given the time of day to. '1916' is the last one I bought so I know I am missing some good recent ones.

[Eoin McLove]

Motorhead (1977) - Decent enough start, with elements of Hawkwind still evident in the sound. Arguably, the cover wrote a cheque that the album couldn't cash (in comparison to the rest of the back catalogue), but the title track and 'Iron Horse/Born to Lose' stand up.

Overkill (1979) - Stone cold classic. Taking the initial blueprint, dirtying it up with punk and adding the excess of 'Stained Class' era Judas Priest with a bit of futuristic ambivalence, this is a masterpiece of metal, with the title track and 'Tear Ya Down' being particular stand outs. Classic Joe Petagno cover as well.

Bomber (1979) - A disappointing comedown from Overkill, with some particularly naff songwriting and lack of power in the production, although the title track is a winner. Lemmy would later place the blame on producer Jimmy Miller, but he even conceded that he wasn't on his game around this time.

Ace of Spades (1980) - Overfamiliarity does indeed breed contempt, but a ferocious production and some lesser discussed gems like 'Shoot You in the Back' and 'The Hammer' means there's far more to this LP than an iconic title track and shite cover.

Iron Fist (1982) - Although plagued by personnel issues, we still get a cracking record from the classic line up. The title track is an obvious classic, but others like 'Go to Hell' and '(Don't Let 'Em) Grind Ya Down' mark this out as an underrated gem. Class cover as well.

Another Perfect Day (1983) - Long regarded by some as a misstep, retrospective listening makes it clear this is a classic 'Head LP. Brian Robertson's guitar work is sublime: utterly bombastic, but subtle when it needs (such as on 'One Track Mind' and the title track). Clear as a bell production as well.

Orgasmatron (1986) - Derided for Bill Laswell's mix, this is an immense record which contains some of my favourite songs from the band ('Claw', 'Built for Speed', the title track) and another class cover. The title track almost flirts (inadvertently) with industrial rock due to the repetitive groove.

Rock n Roll (1987) - Another disappointing moment, despite the likes of 'Eat the Rich' and 'Stone Deaf in the USA.' Production isn't as boisterous as it should be, and the Michael Palin cameo is wasted on here.

1916 (1991) - The major label years, and what a record. Some of the finest moments alongside some left field (for Lemmy and co.) material like 'Love Me Forever' and 'R.A.M.O.N.E.S.' The title track is a poignant look at the Battle of the Somme, demonstrating Lemmy's power as a songwriter.

March or Die (1992) - A comedown from the heights of the previous LP, although nowhere near as bad as some have suggested, probably because 'I Ain't No Nice Guy' and 'Hellraiser' overshadow the rest of the songs and the terrible, label enforced cover of 'Cat Scratch Fever.' However, 'You Better Run' is worth the entry fee.

Bastards (1993) - Lemmy often regarded this as a top 3 'Head album. Maybe more of a top 10 one, as 'Don't Let Daddy Kiss Me' (despite it's good intentions) doesn't sound convincing coming from Motorhead. Still, who can argue with 'Burner'?

Sacrifice (1995) - Wurzel's final album is stodgy and inconsistent. Too much filler and little in the way of killer. Great cover nonetheless.

Overnight Sensation (1996) - An improvement over the previous record, but not one I return to an awful lot.

Snake Bite Love (1998) - Solid, but not really memorable.

We Are Motorhead (2000) - Back on track with a collection of killer songs, a decent cover of 'God Save the Queen' and an epic cover, Motorhead entered the 21st century firing on all cylinders.

Hammered (2002) - More excellent tunes, with 'Brave New World' being a top 10 'Head song. Closer 'Serial Killer' is genuinely creepy.

Inferno (2004) - My favourite. Blistering production, memorable songs and throat ripping vocals combine to make a record to live your life by. Best Petagno cover as well.

Kiss of Death (2006) - Going for a more bluesy feel, it pales in comparison to Inferno, but there's still enough on here to entertain.

Motorizer (2008) - The last truly great album from Lemmy and co. This is Inferno part 2. All killer, no filler.

The World is Yours (2010) - 'Get Back in Line' is a class song, but the rest doesn't scale the same heights.

Aftershock (2013) - The first album where I knew Lemmy wasn't for this world much longer. Although leaning more on the band's rock n roll roots, Lemmy sounds exhausted.

Bad Magic (2015) - Despite having a title similar to a Little Mix single released that year, Lemmy and co. bow out in fine fashion. He manages to work up the venom needed, and allows for a little poignancy in tracks like 'Till the End.' We really didn't need the Stones cover, however.

Thanks for the run down, Ruts. I imagine my journey through their discography will be a bit here there and everywhere rather than linear, but so far, four albums in, they haven't let me down 

[KingHostile]

Inferno (2004) - My favourite. Blistering production, memorable songs and throat ripping vocals combine to make a record to live your life by. Best Petagno cover as well.

I'm off to buy inferno after that!