Search - Motorhead :: Better Motorhead Than Dead: Live At Hammersmith

You need this on your shelf

AMK | 11/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own a lot of live albums, and I own a lot of Motorhead, but this is something you need on your shelf. First, it's a band at the top of its game; as the 2004 release "Inferno", indicated, you really can get both older and better--"like cheese", as Lemmy observes. Second, this is pretty much the whole show, warts and all (not much of a pun intended)--however much people rightly applaud "No Sleep" as seminal Motorhead, they do tend to overlook the fact that it was cobbled together from several different gigs. Third, this is really well recorded, and it just sounds good.

The set is pretty much the standard gig on offer since "Inferno" and with three differences is the same as the live show from Germany on offer on the "Stage Fright" DVD from a few months earlier. The anniversary show contains "Love for Sale', `Bomber' and `Road Crew', and while two of these are standards, the first is new to my collection.

If I was going to buy only one thing, I'd get the "Stage Fright" DVD. First, of course, you get sound *and* visuals. Second, the larger hall and more enthusiastic crowd seemed to generate a better gig. To support that assertion--I wasn't at either, unfortunately--I'd point to the fact that you can hear Lemmy getting a little truculent with the crowd on this disc on a couple of occasions ["I don't come and throw drinks at you when you're working"]. The energy is high but not as it is on the DVD--and if you've seen any of the *other* DVD [stay with me now--that's the DVD of half a dozen of the tracks from this show available on the special UK anniversary edition of "Inferno"], you can see that the London gig is just too crowded, too hot and by the end, Phil Campbell looks as though he is going to pass out.

But this is Motorhead and you aren't just going to buy one thing, right, So get the DVD AND this, watch one on the TV and listen to the other in the car [or wherever you indulge your Motorhead needs]. This is a ***** purchase, especially at this price--the sleeve is nicely done, and the inserts are excellent. Here's to....forty years?!"

Motorhead - 'Better Motorhead Than Dead' (SPV)

Mike Reed | USA | 05/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Superb 2-CD Motorhead live release that was recorded on June 11, 2005 at the Hammersmith Apollo. Total of twenty-three blistering *ss-kicking tracks from the band's lengthy repertoire. In fact, 'Better Motorhead...' was put out to celebrate Motorhead's 30th anniversary since Lemmy was sacked from Hawkwind to form the ground-breaking ensemble. A couple of lesser-known cuts show up like "Shoot You In The Back" (off the 'Ace Of Spades' lp) and "Dancing On Your Grave" (from 'Another Perfect Day'). As for the highlights, you know they're here - in full force such as "Dr. Rock", "Love Me Like A Reptile", the vintage "Metropolis", the anthem-like "No Class", one of my favorite metal tunes (of all time), the awesome "Just 'Cos You Got The Right", "Killed By Death", "Bomber", the much appreciated encore of "Ace Of Spades" and "Overkill". Clocking in right at the 100-minute mark. Sound quality is great, but then again I am a live album nut. Comes housed in a nicely-assembled three-way digi-pack fold-out, along with a handy sixteen-page full color CD booklet. Sort of like a mini-program. Essential."

"In 1983, we released an album that you all ******* hated"..

Mike | San Jose, CA | 11/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The attraction here isn't "Ace Of Spades," "Killed By Death," "Metropolis," or any number of other tracks that have appeared on previous live albums. It's great to hear them, but the real reason to purchase "Better Motorhead Than Dead" is the mix of newer tracks and previous "forgotten classics."



I wasn't a Motorhead fan in 1983, so I can't back up Lemmy's claim that Another Perfect Day was universally despised. I know that ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson was a fish out of water in this band (how can you be the guitarist in Motorhead and say that you won't play any of the old songs in concert is beyond my comprehension), but the two songs chosen from that album ("I Got Mine" and "Dancing On Your Grave") fit in comfortably with the other 21 tracks in the set.



"Better Motorhead Than Dead" serves as both a good career overview for the new or casual Motorhead fan and another great live set for the faithful.



"