30 odd years since Lemmy split with HAWKWIND and some 20-odd subsequent albums you pretty much know what to expect from a new MOTÖRHEAD release; hard n' heavy, down and dirty rock delivered with the subtly of a sledgehammer. Once again all those vital ingredients are in place and mostly up to the required standard as well. A bonus for an old rocker like myself is that a vinyl version is readily available too so I got to walk out the store with a proper sized bag like the old days!

"Sucker" is one of the best album openers I've heard in a long while. High speed and full of vitriol, it's a great statement of intent that sets the scene for an opening barrage of 5 typical MOTÖRHEAD tracks with the heavy swagger of "Under The Gun" particularly standing out. The song that really sets itself apart from the pack on this album is, amazingly enough, a power ballad! "God Was Never On Your Side" sees Lemmy deliver a superbly heartfelt vocal with the feeling really hitting home in every beautifully sung (yep sung!) verse and every growled chorus. Of course long time 'head fans will know that they've slowed it down from time to time in the past; I read somewhere on the internet that this is the 8th MOTÖRHEAD ballad, but this time he's also brought in 80s glam rock guitarist CC DeVille to play on it! Back up to speed on side two (or the second half of the CD if you prefer) with "Christine" showing herself as an excellent slab of rock 'n roll. Of the final four tracks the more industrial sound of "Be My Baby" proves to be the albums low point with the repetitive lyric just not working for me whilst" Sword Of Glory" is a corker. Messages abound on the closer "Going Down" as Lemmy proudly states "We got all the aces & we got them up our sleeves".

Only the afore mentioned "Sucker" and "God Was Never...." may make it onto future Best Of's but this is a consistent album accessible enough for anyone who's not heard much MOTÖRHEAD before to get into whilst having plenty to interest the long time fan. I've had the album a few months now and it hasn't yet been consigned to the shelves for posterity. Lemmy & Co. in fine form and just as relevant in 2006 as in 1976.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE:www.imotorhead.com

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