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Motorhead: Rock 'N' Roll (remaster)

To celebrate the band's 30 year career, Sanctuary Records is re-issuing expanded and remastered versions of some of their best albums. The double CD sets come with the original album in remastered form, along with a second CD that is loaded with bonus and unreleased tracks. The slip-cased package includes full-color booklets that are packed with topical information on the release as well as photos and notes from the time of the album's release.

Rock 'N Roll marked the return of Phil Taylor to the band on drums (he replaced Pete Gill), and followed the popular Orgasmatron album in 1987. It was a solid effort that firmly reminded followers that this was not a typical Metal band but instead a group that played Rock & Roll louder than Hell. Guitars were shared by Wurzel and Phil Campbell and the duo brought the band a little more flexibility in terms of guitar work. However, it didn't change the overall sound since both Lemmy and Philthy are such "full" players and guide the course of the music anyway. Rock Music was facing a lot of issue around this time with the PMRC causing a ruckus for Metal bands and their releases. Despite this nonsense Motorhead never steered off course and continued doing what they did best. There was some good stuff on this album, such as "Blackheart", "Rock 'N Roll" and "Eat The Rich" but since Motorhead had a signature sound a lot of their riffs gave an overall familiarity and consistency to their songs. To some this seemed repetitive but it was truly not the case. Rock 'N Roll is more for the established fans as newcomers should seek an older release before jumping into the area of the catalog. While it is a heavy album it does not fall in line with the same year releases as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. If you liked your rock fast and loud, Motorhead would be interested in giving it to you, but if thrashing Metal or hair bands were your cup of tear you would be smart to keep moving.

Bonus CD: Cradle To The Grave, Just 'Cos You've Got The Power. Live At The Monsters Of Rock 8/16/1986 (Iron Fist, Stay Clean, Nothing Up My Sleeve, Metropolis, Doctor Rock, Killed By Death, Ace Of Spades, Steal Your Face, Bite The Bullet, Built For Speed, Orgasmatron, No Class, Motorhead).

Those who have seen Motorhead in concert in the past realize that this is the best way to experience them. The inclusion of the "Monsters Of Rock" appearance from 1986 makes this re-issue all the more worth it. The concert CD is loaded with Motorhead standards and tracks from the album that preceded this one. Sanctuary has done an amazing job with these releases and they make fine additions to your CD collection.


Track Listing
1) Rock 'N Roll
2) Eat The Rich
3) Blackheart
4) Stone Deaf In The USA
5) The Wolf
6) Traitor
7) Dogs
8) All For You
9) Boogeyman

Added: September 19th 2006
Reviewer: Ken Pierce
Score:
Related Link: Motorhead Website
Hits: 2746
Language: english

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Motorhead: Rock 'N' Roll (remaster)
Posted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2006-09-19 16:56:41
My Score:

Motorhead's follow-up to Orgasmatron sees the return of Philthy Animal Taylor to the drum fold. Rock 'n' Roll is another in a long line of raucous releases from the British metal legends. However, while its predeccesor contained many memorable and heavy, groove laden metal thumpers, Rock 'n' Roll is a much rawer album, as the band lessens up on the groove a little and gets a tad more down and dirty. Depending on your tastes will depend on your appreciation of this 1987 effort, which arrived to mixed reviews upon its release. Sure, there's no shortage of manic riff mongers here, such as the anthem "Eat the Rich" (perhaps the albums best and most memorable track), the raging "Stone Deaf in the USA", the kick ass "Traitor", and the guitar onslaught of "Boogeyman". For these ears, the guitars of Wurzel and Phil Campbell were not as heavy as the album before it (could have been the production of Guy Midmead) and overall this one seems to lack that "thump" that the band is always known for. Still, for uptempo speedy metal rockers, it's still Motorhead through and through.

While the overall Rock 'n' Roll album is just above average, the package here put together by Sanctuary Records is a real treat, as are all the Motorhead remasters. Included is a bonus disc with a live concert from 1986's Monsters of Rock Festival at Castle Donnington, which includes a great set list of Motorhead classics old and new. In addition, the booklet features an insightful essay from Malcolm Dome, lots of live pictures, and information about the recording. So, throw away your old copy of Rock 'n' Roll and pick up this great sounding and great looking reissue.



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