Rock 'n' Roll Kentucky

Rock 'n' Roll

Motorhead

GWR Records, 1987

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 07/22/2004

If Lemmy Kilmister and Motorhead proved anything in 1986, theyshowed they were survivors. They had withstood legal challengeswhich kept them from the recording studio and a major lineup changewhich replaced almost the whole band. The answer to thesechallenges was Orgasmatron, quite possibly one of the best albums Motorheadhas ever recorded.

But change is a constant in Motorhead's camp, and following thisalbum's success came the departure of drummer Pete Gill, and thereturn to the fold of Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. But how doesone follow up a classic album? If only bands knew the answer tothat question. In Motorhead's case, the follow-up disc, Rock 'N' Roll, was a letdown, though not without merit.

Two tracks immediately stand out on this disc. The first is therollicking good time "Boogeyman," which incorporates Kilmmister'slove of 12-bar blues and the speedfreak nature of heavy metal intoa track which will have your foot tapping and your head slamminginto the table. Likewise, "Eat The Rich" is an irreverent look atlife with a touch of humor that only Kilmister could deliver.

The trouble with Rock 'N' Roll is that the remainder of the disc sounds likeit wasn't completely thought out, and was completed before the bandhad sufficient time to plan their next move. Tracks such as"Blackheart," "Dogs," "Traitor" and "Stone Deaf In The USA" allsound like they had some promise, but their potential was to remainunfulfilled.