Motorhead
We Are Motörhead


4.0
excellent

Review

by south_of_heaven 11 USER (76 Reviews)
September 16th, 2006 | 33 replies


Release Date: 2000 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Ushering into the new millennium, Motorhead shows no signs of slowing down on 'We Are Motorhead'. The album is strong throughout, with great tempos, muscianship, and of course, unmatchable vocals from the bands frontman, Lemmy.

Once upon a time, in a land across the sea, a young man was struggling to find his way. He was named Ian Fraiser Kilmister. Now, this young boy wasn't the best looking dude in school, and what's on every guy's minds? Girls. But how to get them? He just couldn't figure that one out. Poor Ian. Till one day he noticed another young lad surrounded by girls. He looked at him and tried to figure out what was so special about him, and then it hit him: That smart-boy had brought a guitar school! So the next day, Ian borrowed his mother's guitar and took it to school, and he was also surrounded by girls.

So began the story of the legend; Lemmy Kilmister and his infamous band, Motorhead.

"In those days just having a guitar was enough....that was it". - Lemmy

The rest...well, I highly doubt little Ian could've foreseen it. Devoted fans. Nearly 20 albums. Sold out shows. And for little Ian's own pleasure, a never ending amount of groupies. Yes, this is Motorhead, the band that dressed up in Santa Clause outfits, got piss drunk, and flicked people off. The same band that's been called "The loudest loons in the universe!" (Guinness Book of World Records). And while they've had their dips here and there, like with the album "Sacrifice", these bad boys have been able to stick true to their roots of being rude, fast, and heavy. They've been handed the medal for inventing 'Speed Metal', and they're some of the founding fathers of the 'Hard Rock' genre. And throughout constant line-up changes, one man has been through it all: Lemmy. He's been there since the beginning. From the 4-man, to 3-man, back to 4-man, and back to 3-man line-ups, Lemmy has never abandoned his spot as the distortion loving bassist and the primitive sounding vocalist. So it should only be far to say that this is HIS band, for without Lemmy, Motorhead wouldn't be who they are today.

And what could've been a better possible way for these fellows to kick start the new millennium with some good ole fashioned dirty Rock 'N' Roll? This is "We Are Motorhead", and it sums up their career this far as being one of the premiere names in the Rock industry and proves to the world that they can expect to see Motorhead drinking beer and playing loud in the coming years.

Kicking off with the un relentless "See Me Burning", Lemmy and co. are out to show us that they have no intention of going into a retirement home anytime soon. Mikey Dee's drum solo/intro is incredible, as it features some blasting double bass patterns. The song is crunched-heavy, featuring mainly thick palm mutes and flowing guitars during the bridge. It's urgent right from the beginning, and never lets up the feeling that it wants to get somewhere fast. "Slow Dance" takes the exact opposite approach, as it is what the name implies. A chugging, head banging rhythm section dominates the song with Mikey D sealing it all with some tight-nit drumming. The song is noticeably slower than "See Me Burning", but it's a definite thrasher all around. "Stay Out of Jail" brings back in the speed element, with an opening riff that seems to have been injected with a shot of 'Blues' before it cuts itself off to flow right into a straight-up punk-esque verse. It's got the most melody out of all the songs so far, courtesy of Phil's unique guitar playing. Now, if Motorhead was gonna do a cover, it better be good, cause I don't think I could ever see them working out something other than their own. Well, I was kinda wrong. "God Save the Queen" is a cover of a Sex Pistols song, and all that punk-anarchy energy is transferred perfectly over. It's also one of the best songs of the album...ironic, huh?

Groove era Motorhead has always contained some of my favorite songs, like "One to Sing the Blues", so when I heard "Out to Lunch", I knew I was in for a treat. It's got that old-school 80's rock vibe just screaming out about it, with a slightly banshee-screeching guitar. The next song is the only one that I don't really care for on this album, "Wake the Dead". It's undeniably heavy, but it doesn't seem to want to take off in any direction other than that. It just pounds away, and there's no sense of power or anything throughout which makes it stick out like a sore thumb in the 'sub-par' category. Lemmy does have a kickin' bass lick that he throws in every now and then as some sort of redeeming factor. And as a staple with later releases, they've got a balled-type song. And just like all of the others, this one is a gem. "One More F*cking Time". It features a serene guitar that floats all over the song, and during the chorus the distortion is kicked up to make it into more of a Power-Ballad. It's a wonderful change of pace. And then coming straight out of the undisturbed atmosphere set by "One More F*cking Time", "Stagefright/Crash and Burn" comes blasting away with a blasting guitar and Mikey Dee giving his bass drum a complete workout. The same intensity is featured throughout the album, making it one hell of a thrasher. "(Wearing Your) Heart On Your Sleeve" is virtually the same way, which makes the two great to listen to together for a quick one-two punch of power. The final song, and also the title track, is also the best on the album. "We Are Motorhead" sounds like something that could've been straight off of "Ace of Spades". Lemmy's plugging bass intro is almost virtually the same as on the song "Ace of Spades", and it's more punk-feel gives it that true old-school Motorhead feel. It's the shortest song on the album, but it's also the one that'll get your blood pumping faster than anything else featured on this album. A perfect way to close the album.

Now, Phil Campbell is a talented guitarist. His solos off of albums (combined with Wurzel's) like "1916" and "Rock 'N' Roll" were downright sick. So when he got into a slump on "Sacrifice" and put out horrible ones, and even songs that didn't have them, I became to doubt him. And sure enough, after "Sacrifice", the sub-par playing was carried over to "Overnight Sensation". But not on here. On this album, Phil unleashes his talent, flinging off some of his best work. Most of these solos here are your typical 'shred-till-you-drop' type solos, with no thought on melody. Tracks like "See Me Burning" and especially "Stagefright/Crash and Burn" feature long-drawn out insane solos from Phil's fingertips. And when they do get melodic, like on "One More F*cking Time", it's just sheer beauty mixed with aggression. The only track that really doesn't feature a solo would be "Wake the Dead", but I already wasn't too fond of the riffs to begin with so it doesn't bother me that much.

And Lemmy...ohhh Lemmy. How you haven't changed. Nor has his band. His voice is still as rash and self-confident sounding as ever. His throaty shout dominates this album more so than in the past, since most of these songs have a bit more grit to them. One listen to the opener, "See Me Burning", and you know Lemmy is back in business. There's hardly any melody here, just Lemmy clearing out the old-vocal pipes. And when he does actually sing on "One More F*cking Time", the result is a more than just average; it's near perfect. Believe it or not, the guy has a very calm, low-keyed singing voice that perfectly matches Phil's guitar. And his lyrics are still as rip-roaring as ever. "See Me Burning" has Lemmy proudly exclaim "Come on over later, bring your sister, I swear to you she won't be in the way". One can only wonder what Lemmy wants to do with those two girls. But the absolute best lyrics, and possibly of all time for Lemmy (maybe tied with "Brave New World") are off the title track. They're self-loathing, egotistical, and just openly blatant. "We bring you attitude and razor teeth to bite, We bring machine gun law and we're the ones to blame. We are the ones you need, the ones that you despise. We are the ones who wanna poke you in the eye.".

"We Are Motorhead" rushed these guys straight into the new millennium with no signs of slowing down. Phil's riffs and solos are great, Mikey Dee's drum work is fantastic, and Lemmy shows that not even age can suppress him. And with only one weak track ("Wake the Dead"), it's not hard to recommend this album to any fan of Hard Rock/Metal.

Overall Rating - 4/5


Oh yes, I saved the best lyrics for last from the title track, it seems up Motorhead's career brilliantly:

"We are Motorhead...Born to kick your a*s!"


Tracks to check out
See Me Burning
One More F*cking Time
We Are Motorhead



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user ratings (220)
3.5
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Mikesn
Emeritus
September 16th 2006


3707 Comments


Hahaha I like the first paragraph. Good job.

south_of_heaven 11
September 16th 2006


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Chan you're good.



Mike: Thanks homes. Only thing I don't like about you is everyone sees your BLS review featured, and thinks the one I just submitted is yours, so no one clicks on it. :angry:



On my new rating scale, this would be equivilant to a 4.5. I'm trying to keep my ratings down so I don't 'bloat' up albums.This Message Edited On 09.16.06

Neoteric
September 16th 2006


3243 Comments


I'm going to see Motorhead in November, can't wait XD

south_of_heaven 11
September 16th 2006


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I am going to find you, beat the crap out of you, and steal your tickets Neoteric...



and probably any money you have on you etc. etc.

Neoteric
September 16th 2006


3243 Comments


I am going to find you, beat the crap out of you, and steal your tickets Neoteric...



and probably any money you have on you etc. etc.
I'm going with my guitar teacher and a metal nub hehe. And I never have money on me =(This Message Edited On 09.16.06

MyRamona
September 17th 2006


1098 Comments


Neoteric where are you seeing them, please say Brixton .......................Sorry South of Heaven, this'll only be the second time in the space of 4 months but ya know...

manosg
Emeritus
January 15th 2014


12710 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

A definite improvement over the previous three albums. It has 2-3 standout tracks but album's nothing special overall.

BigHans
January 15th 2014


30959 Comments


We are Motorhead, and we play f*cking Rock N Roll

virpi
September 4th 2015


221 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

"Wake the dead" isn't too bad. It's Motörheads closest approach to progressive rock. Otherwise, I agree with the review. Kick-ass album!

zakalwe
December 29th 2015


40176 Comments


We are Motörhead

Cheers Lem.

forkliftjones
January 22nd 2016


758 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Definitely better than Snake Bite Love.

manosg
Emeritus
January 23rd 2016


12710 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

For sure. The best since Bastards for me.

RunOfTheMill
February 10th 2016


4593 Comments


Great album, but feels a little easy for them. I haven't listened to Snake Bite Love or Overnight Sensation yet, but I'd take this over Sacrifice

manosg
Emeritus
February 10th 2016


12710 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Easily. Overnight Sensation definitely has a couple of jams but overall it's kinda weak for me.

forkliftjones
February 27th 2016


758 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Stagefright - Crash & Burn rules hard

Sabrutin
December 13th 2016


9843 Comments


Love this, expected a bit more love in the thread.

Album's very 'eavy and not really 'umble

wham49
December 13th 2016


6348 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I think the lack of love comes from it not being a album complete with great songs, I like the album, but there are so many better Motorhead albums that this gets lost a little in the shuffle

Sabrutin
December 13th 2016


9843 Comments


I can understand it with a discography like this but personally I think this is great from start to finish and the music hits like few other of their albums, it's such a "sharp" sounding album. Out to Lunch is just furious

manosg
Emeritus
December 13th 2016


12710 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Guilty as charged. I've only jammed this one 4-5 times and the last one must have been a couple of years ago. Your comments made me want to revise it soon.

wham49
December 13th 2016


6348 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

agree Subrutin, it is great, like I said lost in the ozone alittle, but has great aongs as does every Motorhead album, or just about, I feel the same way about Overnight Sensation



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