1071. Motörhead / Overnight Sensation. 1996. 3/5

For the first time since the early 1980’s, Motörhead reverted back to being a three piece with the departure of Würzel following the recording of Sacrifice. Along with this the band was still faced with being unfashionable in the current music climate, and the minor changes made to their sound over the past few albums either pleased fans or put them off side. In reference point the title of the album, Overnight Sensation perhaps says as much about the time as anything else.

For me this album splits itself into three compartments. There are the usual, ‘average’, ‘everyday’ Motorhead songs, the ones you know will be a part of every album the band records. Then there are the exceptional songs, the ones that have the right energy and drive that electrify the album. And there are also a couple that stretch the boundaries of the band, and as a result the listener.
“Crazy Like a Fox” is just the perfect Motörhead template, based around a great riff throughout and the underlying rhythm at that pace that makes great hard rock songs perfect for listening to. The title track “Overnight Sensation” fits into this category as well, just a perfect Motörhead hard rock sound. There’s nothing new, but when you hear them you know what band it is. “Murder Show” is one of my favourites, because it has the upbeat, jiving riffing, soloing and singing that make it a pleasure to put on an album and let it entertain you. Short, sharp and memorable.
“I Don’t Believe a Word” is as intriguing a song as it was on its release on this album. Can you call it a ballad? I guess it really is, and though Motörhead’s past examples of such songs are ones that I have never really taken to, this one still grabs me every time I listen to it. The bass line throughout, accompanied by the stagnated riff and the solid drum beat make for an interesting song – but it’s just too damn long! At over six minutes, it does wear thin after a while and it loses a lot of what it builds up through the first half of the song. Strangely enough “Shake the World” mixes things up too, with Mikkey Dee utilising the double kick most of the way through the song which is mirrored by the guitar riff which makes for an unusual and unique sounding song for a Motörhead album.

The rest of the album is pretty much what you would expect. “Civil War” is a good solid opening song. “Eat the Gun” and “Love Can’t Buy You Money” are also good tunes that perhaps just shade the others.
Along with the return to the three piece, Motorhead managed to retain or regain, depending on your viewpoint, the sound that had brought them their fanbase. As could be said about many of their albums, there is nothing overly new or experimental here apart from the two songs mentioned, meaning if you like the band you’ll find enough here to tickle your fancy.

Rating: “Something in humanity is real keen to know, these days everybody gets to go to the murder show”  3/5