Motörhead

Motorhead was formed in 1975 by the Bassist/Singer Ian Fraser Kilmister (aka Lemmy). Lemmy was kicked out of Hawkind a few monthes before, because of drugs issues, and he wanted to from his own band to avoid being fired again. He named the new band 'Motorhead', based on a song he wrote for Hawkind, and he hired the guitarist Larry Wallis and the drummer Lucas Fox to the band. Lemmy later admitted that they had to steal gear because they were very poor.After replacing the old drummer with Phil Taylor, the band was bound to release their first album, but unfortunately, after recording the songs, the record label refused to realease the album because they didnt like it. The album was eventually released four years later, after the band had gained mainstream success.A year later, Wallis decided that he needed a backing guitarist to play while he is playing the solos, but shorly after the guitarist Eddie Clarke was recruited, Wallis quit the band and rejoined The Pink Faries, thus creating the classic trio for the band: Lemmy-Clarke-Taylor.By the end of '76 the reputation of the band was very negative, and they had actually won the "Worst Band In The World" poll. Motorhead was deep in ***. By April '77, the band members became so discouraged and so depressed that they decided to break up the band. In one last effort, they asked Lemmy's acquaintance Ted Carroll from Chiswhik Records to come and record their last show. Sadly, or maybe happily, Ted couldnt afford to record their show, so instead he offered them two days at his studio to record a single. The band gladly took the chance but well-rehearsed as they were, they managed to record eleven unfinished tracks in those two days. Impressed, Ted gave them more studio time and in a short time they finished thirteen tracks. Eight of those were released in their eponymous debut, in '77.Its debut is for some reason Motorhead's most overlooked album. It feautres decent classic-Motorhead style songs from start to finish. Kicking off with the best introduction to the album and the band, the self-titled Motorhead, which is suprisingly on par with other known Motorhead songs such as Overkill and Ace Of Spades. The album then continues with some slightly different tracks such as Iron Horse and Lost Johnny, but overall it maintains the same attiude throughout all 33 minutes.The album provides everyhing a Motorhead album should, speedy rough songs, Lemmy's melodic bass lines, fast distorted bluesy-influenced riffs and of course the dirtiest vocals you will ever hear in your entire life. It truly serves its purpose.And I dont think I even need to mention how influential Motorhead was. Motorhead and their self-titled album (although the ones to come will be more influential) were a cornerstore in the NWOBHM history. They were so groundbraking that they have inspired both Thrash, Speed Metal and even Punk. This is probably the reason why so many bands have listed them as their influence. Even though they are not so well-known, they inspired whole genres. They are arguably the most influential band in Metal history.One other thing there is to like(or possible dislike) about Motorhead is that they are extremley consistent. If you like this album you will probably like the next nine studio albums - all are aggresive and violent, rough and dirty.Motorhead was released in September 24th, 1977. The record label is Chiswick and it its 32:53 minutes long.

This would be a great boxset based on the material alone and would be 5 stars. The problem is that apparently there is a bad production run of this boxes. I replaced it 3x and in all 3 the first album Overkill skips badly (in the same spots on the first song) I didn't go any further to check the rest of the records in the set. I got the Ace of Spades Box set at the same time and it plays perfectly, so there is an obvious production error for the 1979 Boxset. I am not going to bother for a 4th time.

The album that started it all. Motorhead's 1977 debut album is a rough gem that only hints at the band's potential on later releases. The eponymous title track is a raucous blast of hard rock that gets the head bobbing. Other top cuts are "White Line Fever" and the biker anthem "Iron Horse/Born To Lose." Sure, the band's subsequent releases "Overkill," "Bomber" and "Ace of Spades" would lay the groundwork for thrash metal, but Lemmy and co had to start somewhere. This is the roughest album in Motorhead's discography. The trio is feeling each other out and are not yet lockstep with one another. Still, the energy is here warts and all.

Add punk, a little dose of blues, some hard rock, and a lot of fun and you get Motorhead's self titled debut. To the reviewer whinning about poor production, think of this, Lemmy got kicked out of his old band, made a debut album, and in 1977 production wasn't top notch, so there is your answer to why its "under produced" Some songs are hit and miss, but overall, this beats anything most metal bands put out now. We start off with the title track. Its catchy and fun. The lyrics are pretty cool. Don't go looking for any amzing solos (yet). "Vibrator" good solid track. Has a strong punk influence. The chorus you can sing along to. "Lost Johnny" a great classic metal song. Something you could hear a biker riding down town to. I love Motorhead's early phase. "Iron Horse/Born To Lose" Catchy riff starts off this track about motorcycles. Nothing too thought provoking, but the way the lyrics are worded really makes the song interesting. "White Line Fever" slow paced track. Good and solid but the vocals do sound a little distorted in a strange way. "Keep Us On The Road" The highest point on the album. The riff is catchy. Lemmy has the best vocal performance on the album here. And the drumming keeps pace but doesn't add any power or tempo to the track. Downright fun to listen to. "The Watcher" Mid paced and stays that way through the whole song. The solo is really nice. "The Train Kept A-Rollin'" Blues meets punk rock. Another fun track. Nothing too thought provoking but a good solid rock song. Downturn is the chorus is way too repetitive. "City Kids" might be a bit of a downturn. The drums are hardly in existence and the guitar work seems sloppy. "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" A catchy track. I sing it all the time when I hear it. The catchiest song on the album. "On Parole" The riff hooks you in, and the drums reel you in. Lemmy's vocals are classic here. "Instro" Instrumental, go figure. "I'm Your Witchdoctor" fastest song on the album. Catchy as always and a huge punk influence can be felt on this album.Overall, I wouldn't recomend starting a new listener off with this album. But for veterans, you need this one. Its catchy, gritty, and something that is rare to find in metal... down to earth fun.

There's a reason why punks loved Motörhead so much and their self-titled debut album is a great illustration of why. While the album is neither very polished nor mixed as well as later albums, it's still a roaring good time with classics like On Parole, The Watcher and especially the famous title track, Motorhead. This is where it all started for a band that lasted 4 decades.

The recordings are not in dispute. Legendary Motörhead moments. The box and extras are pretty good on paper. The pressings however, are shocking. The live albums warped and scratched due to poor factory handling. Overkill and Bomber both scratched and mis-pressed. The poor inner sleeves provided don’t help leaving scratch’s and filth over the vinyl. The extras album was contained in a tight cardboard inner sleeve and again scuffed beyond belief. I’m on my second set of replacements and it appears that the same issues are present. If you purchase this item check the records.This is becoming very common. Premium prices for records which are dressed in pretty clothes but are of very poor quality when considering the vinyl pressing. If you purchase to keep it wrapped and on a shelf, good luck to you, you have some nice trinkets. However, I would imagine 50% of your collection is worthless unplayable junk. If you care about the quality of pressings and the playback of your music collection, check with a fine tooth comb. Return when in poor condition. Don’t be ripped off, expect premium quality for premium prices.

Any Motorhead fan should be well acquainted with this album! If you are new to the band then I highly recommend this 1977 slice of raw excellence as a place to dig right in, no matter what you've heard first! This is the vinyl version I got! I noticed some reviews were talking about extra tracks but they must have been referring to a remastered CD version. Anyway, this is great and the cover was a nice shiny silver which I didn't expect! It was also white vinyl! Nice surprise as I'm sucker for coloured vinyl! Get this right down your throat and lugs! Smash it right into your life! Motorhead is the very altar of Rock 'N' Roll! You will kneel when you hear this on vinyl!

First album, complete recording sessions, with later 4 songs EP "Beerdrinkers and Hellraisers". At the time of the single and recording of this album Ian Kilmister a.k.a. Lemmy was already known from Hawkwind, but that was an alltogether other band, with different music. Lemmy wrote a song Motorhead which was indeed recorded by Hawkwind, complete with violin! Can you imagine. After Hawkwind dispensed with his services he formed a new band, a powertrio, with a drummer and guitarplayer but that did not stand and finally he recruited Phil Taylor on drums and Eddie Clarke on leadguitar, with them he recorded this debutalbum (and additional tracks). They were unknown musicians but displayed plenty of talent. Especially Clarke played a strong role on electric guitar, in most songs he played more than one part and contributed to the songwriting. Lemmy as bassplayer is somewhat underrated, but that does him injustice. Often is said that he plays the bassguitar like a rythmguitar but if you listen to this record that is not true, he outshines his role as part of the rythmsection. A solid album it is, with plenty of strong songs and outstanding melodies. By lack of good production (for which was no money) it sounds less direct as later albums Overkill, Bomber and Ace of Spades but certainly not lesser in quality. Of course the song Motorhead is present, lot of other good songs, like Lost Johnny, White Line Fever, and the Yardbirds cover Train Kept A Rolling, With bonustracks, among them the ZZ Top cover "Beerdrinkers and Hellraisers", close to the original, an instrumental and even John Mayalls "I'm Your Witchdoctor" a fine start. Nice to hear again.

No problem with boxset apart fro there is a version with leather look jacket cover. The item doesn't say if it's with or not with jacket cover...

Motörheads eponymous album and title track, nothing more can be said about this product. To be fair, could live without the extra bonus tracks, but an excellent remaster of the original album. Also, really listen to the lyrics of lost Johnnie...... Swift delivery, great price, happy customer.