Ace Of Spades – Motorhead

VITAL STATISTICS

ALBUM: Ace Of Spades

BAND: Motorhead

MEMBERS: Lemmy Kilmister (Vocals, Bass) , ‘Fast’ Eddie Clark(Guitar) , Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor (Drums)

RELEASE: 1980

GENRE: Traditional Heavy Metal although they can be considered the forerunners to Speed/Thrash Metal.

FULL-LENGTH: 36:42

LABEL: Bronze Records (Originally)

It’s only fitting that my first review is of a classic heavy metal album, and one I’ve grown to like quite a bit. This is probably Motorhead’s most popular album and most likely the best. The album is the 4th by the British band which went on to become one of the top album’s of that year. Now for the in-depth review.

1. ACE OF SPADES (2:49)

VOCALS- The immortal title track is lead by Lemmy at his finest. The Lyrics are composed of a gambling theme lead by the iconic Ace Of Spades. For the most part the lyrics are short, sharp and have a good rhythm which is why this song seems to stand out from the album. Lemmy displays his awesome gravelly voice which has earned him so much recognition from the metal fraternity and my god is it good in this track.

Lyrics – 7.5

Delivery – 9.0

Composition – 8.5

GUITAR- ‘Fast’ Eddie Clark gives a solid performance in this track. His solo and couple of slight breakdowns are strong yet subtle, not over the top, but few none the less. The basic rhythm of the song is fast and rough which is fantastic. The song, while balanced seems suited to the guitar.

Melody – 6.5

Rhythm – 8.0

Composition – 9.0

BASS- Probably Lemmy’s strongest performance on this album and it’s right off the bat. He keeps the tempo going and really drives the song. He plays just and fast and rough as ‘Fast’ Eddie.

Rhythm – 7.5

Composition – 8.0

DRUMS- Phil is in some incredible form during this album and this song demonstrates it perfectly. He keeps the fast rhythm impeccably and drives it along with Lemmy.

Rhythm – 8.0

Composition – 8.0

VOCALS – 25/30

GUITAR – 23.5/30

BASS – 15.5/20

DRUMS – 16.5/20

TOTAL – 80.5

2 LOVE ME LIKE A REPTILE (3:23)

VOCALS- The lyrics deal with snake love of some kind, not really into that. The song doesn’t quite flow as well as the previous song for example. Its lyrics are longer and more obscure with a different tempo to the song. In saying that, Lemmy still performs strongly, making the lyrics likeable.

Lyrics – 5.5

Delivery – 7.5

Composition – 5.5

GUITAR- A strong showing by Clark. The rhythm is nicely played with a catchy and powerful riff. The solo is also very strong with a nice outro. For the most part, the song is guitar driven.

Melody – 8.0

Rhythm – 7.5

Composition – 6.5

BASS- Lemmy plays solidly, with an ok drive.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.5

DRUM- Phil plays with the same solidity as Lemmy. Good work overall.

Rhythm – 6.5

Composition – 7.0

VOCALS – 18.5/30

GUITAR – 22/30

BASS – 12.5/20

DRUMS – 13.5/20

TOTAL – 66

3. SHOOT YOU IN THE BACK (2:39)

VOCALS- This song gives an explanation to the influences of Motorhead, especially the album cover. The Western theme in the lyrics are decent, as well as the delivery and composition.

Lyrics – 6.0

Delivery – 6.5

Composition – 7.0

GUITAR- Decent guitar work during this song. It does fit the other components well though.

Melody – 6.0

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.0

BASS- Lemmy lowest point on the album. The bass doesn’t stand out during the track and feels like it needed more emphasis.

Rhythm – 5.0

Composition – 5.5

DRUMS- The strongest part of this track. Phil outlays some good fills and plays with a slowish tempo but drives well on the whole.

Rhythm – 7.0

Composition – 6.0

VOCALS – 20.5/30

GUITAR – 18/30

BASS – 10.5/20

DRUMS – 13/20

TOTAL – 62

4. LIVE TO WIN (3:37)

VOCALS- By this song you start to see a trend in the vocals. They rhyme and they follow a similar tempo. The lyrics and structure are pretty basic. Thank god for Lemmy who keeps making the songs solid.

Lyrics – 5.5

Delivery – 6.0

Composition – 6.0

GUITAR- Decent rhythm work from Clark. What makes the song stand out is the second solo which is very good.

Melody – 7.0

Rhythm – 6.5

Composition – 6.0

BASS- Fantastic work by Lemmy during this song. The bass intro is very solid and the bassline as a whole is very good. The bass drives the song perfectly.

Rhythm – 7.0

Composition – 8.0

DRUMS- Phil works a nice tempo with some ok technique and drive, but is overshadowed by Lemmy’s bass work.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.0

VOCALS – 17.5/30

GUITAR – 19.5/30

BASS – 15/20

DRUMS – 12/20

TOTAL – 64

5. FAST AND LOOSE (3:22)

VOCALS- Some very good work here by the band. The lyrics delve into the realm so often used, youth. Difference being that the lyrics are quite energetic. An overall strong performance.

Lyrics – 8.0

Delivery – 8.0

Composition – 7.5

GUITAR- ‘Fast’ Eddie is at it again. A great riff with nice tempo. The solo is fairly strong but the riff is where it’s at for this track

Melody – 6.5

Rhythm – 8.0

Composition – 7.5

BASS- Unfortunately, Lemmy only puts in a decent performance. The bassline is ok and he drives well enough, but being a bassist myself, I prefer to see a bit more emphasis.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.0

DRUMS- The drums have a nice tempo in this song with a great beat. Phil shows some real good technique during the track. He follows the guitar quite well and is the primary drive for the song.

Rhythm – 7.5

Composition – 7.0

VOCALS – 23.5/30

GUITAR – 22/30

BASS – 12/20

DRUMS – 14.5/20

TOTAL – 72

6. (WE ARE) THE ROADCREW (3:12)

VOCALS- This is a song that a strangely like. Seems to be a ode to the roadcrews of music. The lyrics are short and repetitious, and as always Lemmy deals out a good performance.

Lyrics – 7.0

Delivery – 6.5

Composition – 7.5

GUITAR- Some powerful guitar work in this song. The Tempo is the winner here because the riff is pretty basic but the breakdowns are quite good with a effects-driven solo. The track is composed well.

Melody – 7.0

Rhythm – 7.0

Composition – 7.0

BASS- Very similar to the guitar. Basic bassline but with a great rhythm and tempo which helps to drive the song.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.5

DRUMS- Solid work here with a strong drive.

Rhythm – 7.0

Composition – 6.5

VOCALS – 21/30

GUITAR – 21/30

BASS – 12.5/20

DRUMS – 13.5/20

TOTAL – 68

7. FIRE FIRE (2:44)

VOCALS- Lemmy performs solidly, as usual. A fire theme which is pretty basic to be truthful. Don’t like the backup singing during this track.

Lyrics – 6.0

Delivery – 6.0

Composition – 6.0

GUITAR- Decent work by Clark. The riff is fairly ok but it does have a nice rhythm. Clark does perform a very nice solo during.

Melody – 7.5

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.0

BASS- Not the best work here by Lemmy. Solid rhythm but a basic line.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 5.5

DRUMS- Solid work on the drums by the ‘Philthy Animal’. He warms up quite a bit at the end.

Rhythm – 6.5

Composition – 6.0

VOCALS – 18/30

GUITAR – 19.5/30

BASS – 11.5/20

DRUMS – 12.5/20

TOTAL – 61.5

8. JAILBAIT (3:33)

VOCALS- Another youth inspired song. Lemmy does his usual strong work. The track has a good rhythm and is fairly short lyrically. Solid work.

Lyrics – 6.5

Delivery – 7.5

Composition – 7.0

GUITAR- One of Clark’s strongest efforts. The track has a nice riff, and leads well. The first of the solo’s is alright, it’s the second that is classic Motorhead.

Melody – 7.5

Rhythm – 7.0

Composition – 7.0

BASS- Another ok bassline , doesn’t stick out again.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 5.5

DRUMS- Nice tempo and drive. Phil does really strongly during the song. Nice little bit of double kick during the solo.

Rhythm – 7.5

Composition – 6.5

VOCALS – 21/30

GUITAR – 21.5/30

BASS – 11.5/20

DRUMS – 14/20

TOTAL – 68

9. DANCE (2:38)

VOCALS- Probably the worst song vocally on this song. Lemmy doesn’t seem to be into it and it just seems bland.

Lyrics -4.5

Delivery – 5.5

Composition – 5.0

GUITAR- This is actually a strong guitar track. It has a decent riff and fantastic solo’s make the song very listenable. It saves the song. There is drop-offs in the verses though.

Melody – 8.5

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.0

BASS- Solid bassline that drives well enough.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.5

DRUMS- OK drum work with a decent tempo.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 5.5

VOCALS – 15/30

GUITAR – 20.5/30

BASS – 12.5/20

DRUMS – 11.5/20

TOTAL – 59.5

10. BITE THE BULLET (1:38)

VOCALS- Solid vocals by Lemmy. Very short though.

Lyrics -6.5

Delivery – 6.0

Composition – 6.0

GUITAR- Strong riff and a decent small solo but is outshone by Lemmy on the bass.

Melody – 6.5

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 5.5

BASS- Lemmy does really well on this track. The bassline is strong and follows the riff nicely. He dominates the song for the most part.

Rhythm – 7.5

Composition – 7.5

DRUMS- Solid work on the drums as usual. Nice tempo for a short song.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.5

VOCALS – 18.5/30

GUITAR – 17.5/30

BASS – 15/20

DRUMS – 12.5/20

TOTAL – 63.5

11. THE CHASE IS BETTER THAN THE CATCH (4:18)

VOCALS- A sex based song. It’s pretty slow for Motorhead but strong nonetheless.

Lyrics -7.0

Delivery – 7.0

Composition – 6.5

GUITAR- Once again, Clark deals out a decent riff with a nice tempo. A strong solo is present as always and a nice outro ends the song.

Melody – 7.0

Rhythm – 7.0

Composition – 6.5

BASS- Lemmy does really quite well on this song again. He even manages to show some deviation in the verses. He drives the song pretty well and plays some good stuff during the breakdown.

Rhythm – 8.5

Composition – 6.0

DRUMS- OK drive with a slow tempo. He does alright for the most part.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 5.5

VOCALS – 20.5/30

GUITAR – 20.5/30

BASS – 14.5/20

DRUMS – 11.5/20

TOTAL – 66.5

12. THE HAMMER (2:43)

VOCALS- A rhythmic song to end the album. Lemmy dials out a strong performance once again.

Lyrics -6.0

Delivery – 7.0

Composition – 6.5

GUITAR-Clark does an ok job on this track. Pretty basic riff with a ok solo.

Melody – 6.5

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.5

BASS- Basic bassline to finish up. Strong tempo though.

Rhythm – 6.0

Composition – 6.0

DRUMS- Good work by Phil. Fast and strong tempo and shows some great technique on the skins.

Rhythm – 7.0

Composition – 7.0

VOCALS – 19.5/30

GUITAR – 18.5/30

BASS – 12/20

DRUMS – 14/20

TOTAL – 64

ALBUM VERDICT-

A very strong album. All songs are solid perhaps possibly one. The album’s best is obviously the title track, that being Ace of Spades and by a fair way. Overall, I give the album a solid score that other albums can try to match up to. I did modify the score slightly due to it’s legendary status but it’s still a classic album that cannot be underestimated.

OVERALL- 71

STATISTICS

VOCAL SCORE- 238.5/360 (66%)

GUITAR SCORE- 244/360 (67%)

BASS SCORE- 155/240 (64%)

DRUM SCORE- 159/240 (66%)