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Talk about being productive! In 1979, Motörhead put out Bomber and Overkill, which turns 30 today. Bomber had better artwork, but Overkill had better songs. It was the first major statement by Motörhead’s classic lineup: Lemmy, “Fast” Eddie Clarke, Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor. Their eponymous 1977 record was a punky rush job. Bouncy and bluesy, Overkill worked through hard rock influences; “No Class” is suspiciously similar to ZZ Top’s “Tush,” released four years earlier. In vehicular terms, Motörhead operated on two and three wheels. Only on the following year’s Ace of Spades did the four-wheeled “Motörhead sound” emerge.
(I Won’t) Pay Your PriceNo ClassTush (ZZ Top)
Still, Lemmy was already kicking ass. “(I Won’t) Pay Your Price”: “I’m gonna count to three and if you’re still here / I’ll get a gun and blow away your knees.” “Capricorn”: “I always knew / The only way / Is never live / Beyond today.” But the tough guy could dispense tough love, on the anti-drug “Stay Clean.” “Metropolis” was meandering and strangely disconnected: “Metropolis is something new / Ain’t nobody got their eye on you / I don’t care, I don’t care.” Many have copped Motörhead’s style, but few have gotten the substance right. Beneath the warts, white boots, and low end fuzz lay a whole lotta soul.
The Bomber artwork better than the exploding skull? Surely you jest. I don’t know whether it’s the surprising choice of a cool blue background or what, but Overkill has always been my favorite Mot
I agree. There’s a lot of humanity in Motorhead lyrics that those that just copy the angry snarl on the top usually miss.
Classics all, and I would also add that “No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith”, with a lot of songs from those albums, is the best live album ever made (or, one of them, at least).