Search - Motorhead :: Best of Motörhead: Deaf Forever

A difficult one to review - between three and four stars

Paul Lawrence | Australia | 06/11/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Chutzpah. Charisma. X factor. Some have it wihle others don't. And lets face it we all know it doesn't always follow talent. But Lemmy has it - whatever IT is. And that's lucky for him because much of his product has been everything louder than everything else numbskull pub metal and while that has it's place it's rare that someone of Lemmys's vintage is permitted such indulgence. Only AC/DC are in the same happy position.



Anyway, onto the disc at hand, and we find a cluster of 20 tracks outlining the unreconstructed blunt instrument blows of Motorheads catalogue. From hits like Ace of Spades to Bomber to tracks that really seem excuses for humour the album wanders along to the strains of the mans one tone vocal stylings. And it's hard to remain unmoved by the way the songs cannon into you. But you do yearn for some variety to provide some respite from the punk ethic infused working mans metal.



For long time fans it's about completism - just a glance at the track listing will probably settle the deal. Though if you have the entire back catalogue you can probably burn your own greatest hits for highway drivin' abuse. For a newcomer like me it proved a useful addition to my collection. But it's not inspired me to run out and buy all their albums and even I knew before buying it that this collection was missing a vital track - Killed By Death. I mean even all girl Swedish band Crucified Barbara cover it. Then again since they opened for a Motorhead tour that probably isn't as weird as you may at first think!



Regardless, the package is devoid of lyrics but it does have an essay by journo Neil Jeffries which isn't too big on real info but a nice diversion of anecdotes to muse on while your subjecting your stereo to a good workout."