Search - Motorhead :: On Parole

If you're working through the canon....

AMK | 12/26/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Well, obviously you wouldn't start here but if you are working your way through the complete catalogue, then you want to see baby's first steps. And they are rather unsteady, but as every journey starts with baby steps--ok, enough of the metaphors.

Frankly, I bought this because I love the Pink Fairies as much as I love Motorhead. I'd have to say though that Larry Wallis was holding this project back, with a guitar sound stuck in the 60s rather than reflecting the punk energy that was appearing in London at the time. So, this is all pretty tame and never threatens to generate much heat. Its also funny to hear Lemmy sing, rather than growl as we love him today, on prototype versions of the song 'Motorhead'. So that's what the first verse is about--who knew?"

HEAD GETS READY TO BUZZZ....

wally gator | USA | 02/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a remaster of Motorhead- On Parole.It was recorded in 1975 but was not originally released until 1979. The album was completely re-recorded in 1976 as Motorheads self titled debut. The songs on that release were completley rearranged and sound absolutely nothing like they do on this album.

What I find interesting in this disc, is the fact that, even though it wasn't really quite Motorhead yet, you can still understand the urge to make the music LOUD. The idea was there, it just hadn't really developed yet. In fact, alot of this old school Motorhead recording almost sounds closer to Hawkwind stuff, which was that british acid/prog/revolving door band that Lemmy was in prior.

Many of the tracks have alot of weird fills in them... stuff that one may assume they would never hear on a Motorhead album... such as, high pitch backing vocals, or lazer beam sound effects. VIBRATOR is this cheeky snotty brit punk thing happening. Almost glitterish, with a different lead vocal, but you know the band was having a blast recording it anyway.. It makes me chuckle a little. IRON HORSE starts off with a pretty extensive rasta section. Live At Hammersmith this is not.

Still though, I enjoy this record. Even though the songs are alot cleaner than the Head you may know, for 1975 this is some pretty loud stuff. I would still kill to see more bands play music like this these days. It definately is not as frenetic and blood pumping as albums to follow, but the buzz had to start somewhere. I say, make sure you have Motorhead/Motorhead first, because they really got it right the second time around. However, sometimes I really like these recordings too. It all rocks man. It's Motorhead!"

The Pink Motorhead Fairies heavy greasy rock LP.

D. P. Fisher | Los Angeles, CA USA | 10/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This to me is the only Motorhead LP that matters. Of course I'm a big Pink Fairies nut so that might be it. You get Larry Wallis from the great Pink Fairies on guitar. It sounds like the Pink Faiies if Lemmy had joined up in '75. Anyway a great greasy slab of drunken Hell's Angel biker rock. Rock on."