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Rating: The world of Rock between the Seventies and Eighties is undergoing profound transformation processes: on one hand, we have the explosion of genres like Pop, Disco, and especially New Wave, which will revolutionize the "guitar-driven" way of conceiving music up to that moment; on the other hand, there is the rampant spread of the Punk movement (which later evolved in the USA into Punk/Rock).
As a result, two important effects emerge: the major Rock bands that were dominant until then, such as Led Zeppelin, The Who, and The Rolling Stones, experience a significant decline, progressively losing importance, and new bands are created working in the groove of the emerging Punk movement and the so-called "Heavy Metal," which had been becoming self-aware since the mid-Seventies.
From this blend of seemingly different genres, but which ideally shared a substantial rediscovery (in a much harsher key) of those musical canons that distinguished the glorious Rock'N'Roll of Chuck Berry, Elvis, Gene Vincent and company, a new way of doing Rock is created, primarily embraced by the umpteenth "Power Trio" destined to write a large part of the history of world Hard Rock up to 2015 (the year of its dissolution), the famous Motörhead.
Born in 1975 thanks to the insights of the brilliant yet picturesque Ian Fraser Kilmister (later renamed "Lemmy," dressed in a highly original manner as a Confederate soldier from the times of the American Civil War) alongside the excellent guitarist Eddie "Fast Eddie" Clarke and the underrated drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, all proudly of British origin, they have a quiet start in recording to then take off in the year of grace 1979 with the release of two authentic "milestones" like Overkill and Bomber, both produced by former Stones producer Jimmy Miller.
But the true consecration for the trio comes immediately the following year with the release of this legendary album produced by Vic Maille, which will lead them to their (deserved) worldwide success: I'm obviously talking about Ace Of Spades. Like an authentic steamroller, the three (who, on the album's stunning cover, are dressed as authentic Mexican "Gringos") churn out note after note, in the rhythm of Hard Rock, Blues, and a hint of Punk, starting with the compelling title-track "Ace Of Spades" which in less than 3 minutes reveals not only Lemmy's strong predilection for gambling in all respects (with the easily double entendre Ace Of Spades), but condenses utterly overwhelming sounds.
However, if you think that after such a lightning start the infernal engine of the trio might at least slow down, you're only deluding yourself: the following "Love Me Like A Reptile," with Taylor on drums masterfully reproducing the sounds of a real rattlesnake, indeed delivers emotions galore in almost 3 minutes along with a screaming double solo from a very on-fire "Fast Eddie."
The excellent "Shoot You In The Back" reveals, instead, Lemmy's passion for the good old Western movies of the past, and the following "Live To Win" is another nice Hard Rock punch directly to the listener's stomach who by now seems to have finally gotten acquainted with the band's solid and direct sound.
"Fast And Loose" is another fast and incisive track, followed by "(We Are) The Road Crew" in which Lemmy himself betrays another of his greatest passions, that of the strictly "on the road" life, where good Clarke showcases another couple of solos from his Fender Stratocaster, as commendable as they are cutting like a razor's very sharp blade.
"Fire Fire" and "Jailbait" are two more devastating tracks where Hard Rock and Punk blend in a really fitting mix, while "Dance" is a beautiful Rock'N'Roll flavored track which undoubtedly represents one of the absolute peaks of the album.
The equally fast "Bite The Bullet" then paves the way to what I believe is the album's highest point "The Chase Is Better Than The Catch," characterized by sounds very close to AC/DC with a Clarke once again confirmed in a state of grace, not only embellishing the song with ruthless riffs but also adding his cherry on top with another couple of high-quality solos, almost as if a certain Angus Young himself were playing them.
The extremely fast yet very fun "The Hammer," with its overtly Punk/Rock style, effectively closes the circle on this masterpiece of an album which represents, without fear of contradiction, the absolute creative peak of this group which, while remaining true to itself in the decades to come (despite various lineup changes but always with the iconic Lemmy at the center), would never be nearly matched by any subsequent work.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Ace of Spades (02:48)
If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man
You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me
The pleasure is to play, it makes no difference what you say
I don't share your greed, the only card I need is
The Ace Of Spades
The Ace Of Spades
Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil,
Going with the flow, it's all a game to me,
Seven or Eleven, snake eyes watching you,
Double up or quit, double stake or split,
The Ace Of Spades
The Ace Of Spades
You know I'm born to lose, and gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby,
I don't wanna live for ever!
And don't forget the joker!
Pushing up the ante, I know you've got to see me,
Read 'em and weep, the dead man's hand again,
I see it in your eyes, take one look and die,
The only thing you see, you know it's gonna be,
The Ace Of Spades
02 Love Me Like a Reptile (03:21)
Knew I had to bite you baby when I first laid eyes on you,
That moment turned me on, I can't believe it's true,
And I like to watch your body sway,
I got no choice, I'm gonna twist your tail,
Love Me Like A Reptile, I'm gonna sink my fangs in you
Thunder lizard, stony eye, you got me hypnotised,
Hot tongue breaks in and out and I can't believe my eyes,
And your soft white belly, next to mine,
Scaly baby, see you shine,
Love Me Like A Reptile, you're murder in disguise,
Black mamba, murderer disguised
Baby you're a rattlesnake, you know the way I feel,
Feel you crawling up my back, you've got no love to steal,
You know I've got my eyes on you,
You're petrified, gonna stick like glue,
Love Me Like A Reptile, shock you like an electric eel
03 Shoot You in the Back (02:38)
Western movies!
The riders ride, into the night,
Into the West, to see who's gun's the best,
They're all fools, to live by rules,
The rider wearing black,
He's gonna Shoot You In The Back
The horseman turns, the wound that burns,
The awful pain, the crimson rain,
Got realise, before he dies,
The rider wearing black,
You know he's gonna Shoot You In The Back
It's suicide, to live on pride,
You claim you own, your skin your bone,
Your own life, cuts you like a knife,
The rider wearing black,
He's gonna Shoot You In The Back
In the Western movies!
04 Live to Win (03:35)
You know you can't be hurt,
You gotta believe in your star,
They'll always treat you like dirt,
They can only push you so far,
They can't take it away,
If you've got something to say,
They might try and fence you in,
But you've only gotta Live To Win
I know it's hard, a natural drag,
It's a hassle to fight,
If you don't wanna be a slag,
If you believe you're right,
They've got the power now,
But soon it's our hour now,
We all know where we been,
We all been Living to Win
You mustn't shout it out loud,
Don't create a scene,
Don't indulge in being proud
It only feeds their scheme,
Break down the wall,
Live it up it's their time to fall,
Anarchy is coming in,
If you know we Live To Win
05 Fast and Loose (03:21)
Two o'clock in the morinin', baby
I know it's late, I know it's late
I'm young and I like the night
and I can make you feel all right
I've been around for quite a while
and I've learned how to make you smile
I know you won't refuse
You know I'm fast and loose
Two o'clock in the morinin', sugar
I know you're sleepin', you must be sleepin'
Why don't you invite me in
get yourself some original sin
I'll wake you up and stay in bed
don't get up, get down instead
I don't need no excuse
you like it fast and loose
no remorse
Two o'clock in the morinin', honey
let me in, baby let me in
you know me, you know I'm wired
I'm gonna stop you from feeling tired
I'm coming over and I won't be long
just let me finish writing this song
I'm gonna light your fuse
I know you like it fast and loose
fast and loose.....
06 (We Are) The Road Crew (03:10)
Another town another place,
Another girl, another face,
Another truck, another race,
I'm eating junk, feeling bad,
Another night, I'm going mad,
My woman's leaving, I feel sad,
But I just love the life I lead,
Another beer is what I need,
Another gig my ears bleed,
We Are The Road Crew
Another town I've left behind,
Another drink completely blind,
Another hotel I can't find,
Another backstage pass for you,
Another tube of super glue,
Another border to get through,
I'm driving like a maniac,
Driving way to hell and back,
Another room a case to pack,
We Are The Road Crew
Another hotel we can burn,
Another screw, another turn,
Another Europe map to learn,
Another truckstop on the way,
Another game that I can play,
Another word I learn to say,
Another blasted customs post,
Another bloody foreign coast,
Another set of scars to boast,
We Are The Road Crew
07 Fire, Fire (02:42)
Foxy do you have a light?
Can you light me up tonight?
I'd like to see you burn me down.
Why don't you let me light your fire?
Why don't you let me stoke you higher?
Fire, Fire! Holocaust!
Fire, Fire! Given up for lost,
Fire, Fire! Strike one, strike two,
Fire, Fire! I'm a match for you!
You're quick to learn,
I love to watch you burn,
Come any time I'll torch you out,
Only you can create the flame,
Only you can scorch my brain.
Fire, Fire! Conflagration!
Fire, Fire! Hellfire, damnation,
Fire, Fire! Strike six strike eight,
Fire, Fire! I think you're great.
You can't put me out,
But there ain't no doubt,
You ain't nowhere near safe with me,
You ain't the first to turn me down,
You ain't the first to turn me round.
Fire, Fire! Big black smoke,
Fire, Fire! Ain't no joke,
Fire, Fire! Strike nine strike ten,
Fire, Fire! Strike out again!
08 Jailbait (03:31)
Teenage baby you're a sweet young thing
Still tied to mommas apron strings
I don't even dare to ask your age
It's enough to know you're here back stage
You're jailbait
And I just can't wait
Jailbait, baby come on
One taste baby all I need
My decision made at lightning speed
I don't even want to know your name
It's enough to know you feel the same
Jailbait
And I just can't wait
Jailbait baby, get down
Hey
Love that young stuff
Tell you baby you know you look so fine
Send quivers up and down my spine
I don't care about our different ages
I'm an open book with well-thumbed pages
Jailbait
And I ain't too late
Jailbait baby, get down
10 Bite the Bullet (01:38)
Stepping out, I'm leaving here,
No use crying, crying in my beer,
Enough's enough, believe it's true,
Bite The Bullet, I'm leaving you
Said goodbye, I left a note,
But I don't remember, just what I wrote,
The same old words, to say we're through,
Bite The Bullet, I'm leaving you
So that's the way it always ends,
Get sympathy from all your friends,
Seems there's nothing, nothing else to do,
Bite The Bullet, I'm leaving you
11 The Chase Is Better Than the Catch (04:18)
You know I'm bad, the times I've had,
I've got a bad reputation,
I don't care, I get my share,
Don't feel no deprivation,
The more I get the better it is,
I like it fine, I like a little whizz,
Treat 'em like ladies, that's a fact,
You know The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
The silver tongued devil, demon lynch,
You know just what I'm doing,
I like a little innocent bitch,
You know I ain't just screwing,
I ain't.
I love you baby, know you're too much,
I like it fine, I feel your touch,
But your appearance don't hold no class,
You know The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
A little beauty, I love you madly,
Come on home with me,
I know you're hot, I know what you've got,
You know I want to shake your tree,
Come on honey, touch me right there,
Come on honey, don't you get scared,
Come on honey, let me get you in the sack,
You know The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
All right! Let me hear ya!
I can't hear ya!
12 The Hammer (02:44)
Let the killer go, don't let your mother know,
Don't go out tonight, don't even try to fight,
'Cos I can see, I've got the thing you need,
And I'm here to stay, it's gonna be that way,
Don't try to run, don't try to scream,
Believe me, The Hammer's gonna smash your dream
I'm in your life, just might be in your wife,
Could be behind your back, I might be on your track,
And it might be true, I might be onto you,
I'll scare you half to death, I'll take away your breath,
Don't try to see, don't try to hide,
Believe me, The Hammer's gonna make you die
There ain't no way, you'll see another day,
I'm shooting out your lights, bring you eternal night,
And your eternal tricks, begin to make me sick,
The only thing I know, is that you've gotta go,
Don't try to hide, don't look around,
Believe me, The Hammer's gonna bring you down
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Other reviews
By cliffburton86
Motorhead are dirty beasts, they stink, they are barbaric and crude.
We are Motörhead and we’re gonna kick your ass!
By autopilot
"Ace Of Spades" is probably the most famous and well-known album by that hellish machine called Motorhead.
‘...the dirtiest, meanest, toughest and leanest Motoralbum ever...’
By Mammuth
As soon as I heard this album, I loved it: the riffs are very hard, and very NWOBHM.
The title track, 'Ace Of Spades', starts with a bass riff that is now very famous and the other instruments join in.
