Fool's Paradise
The Head Cat
(Rock-a-billy)
Fool's Paradise, the debut record by Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister's new rockabilly side project the Head Cat, confirms one fact we discriminating music listeners have always known: before they were metal, before they were even hard rock, Motorhead was rock'n'roll, pure and simple. It's just a damned shame that we have to sit through the title track first. A nails-on-chalkboard karaoke ballad of the worst variety, Lemmy's frog-voiced rendition of "Fool's Paradise" plays like an endurance test for true believers and masochists; in a word, hearing the legendary anti-vocalist strain to hit notes amidst unmercifully muted acoustic guitar and piano is excruciating, something which the rest of the album fortunately never is.
Instead, the 31 minutes of Fool's Paradise not wasted by its opening salvo ends up being a fun little record; not enough to match the individual accomplishments of its contributors (ex-Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom and rockabilly revival guitarist/producer Danny B. Harvey fill out the lineup), and certainly not enough to equal the original versions of classic songs by Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly, but not in the least without its charms. Granted, Lemmy's inimitable croak doesn't always fit the music (do I really need to bring up the title track again?), but when coupled with hard-luck rockers like Cash's "Big River" and Lloyd Price's "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," it's a natural combination. And when the material calls for a softer touch, as on the album's nine (!) Buddy Holly covers, the Head Cat is able to step up to the plate more often than not: the enthusiasm Lemmy brings to "Not Fade Away" in particular, botched count-off and all, is infectious.
When all is said and done, of course, shaking off the inevitable "vanity project" tag will be virtually impossible for the Head Cat. Only those with a larger-than-average passion for novelty music, Motorhead or (less likely) rockabilly will actually want to listen to the dude who sang "Ace of Spades" tear through a half hour's worth of '50s rock covers; there's just no way around that fact. But if you're brave enough to give Fool's Paradise a shot, its ramshackle energy just might win you over. This isn't pleasant "Golden Oldies" rock'n'roll; it's the sound of a ragged bar band at last call, limping to the end of their set on nothing but nicotine, liquor and pure adrenaline. Turn it up loud and what the hell, maybe you'll be in a fool's paradise too.
MySpace Page
Buy It on Amazon
See Also: Lemmy, if you're reading this, might I suggest your next side project?
(Rock-a-billy)
Fool's Paradise, the debut record by Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister's new rockabilly side project the Head Cat, confirms one fact we discriminating music listeners have always known: before they were metal, before they were even hard rock, Motorhead was rock'n'roll, pure and simple. It's just a damned shame that we have to sit through the title track first. A nails-on-chalkboard karaoke ballad of the worst variety, Lemmy's frog-voiced rendition of "Fool's Paradise" plays like an endurance test for true believers and masochists; in a word, hearing the legendary anti-vocalist strain to hit notes amidst unmercifully muted acoustic guitar and piano is excruciating, something which the rest of the album fortunately never is.Instead, the 31 minutes of Fool's Paradise not wasted by its opening salvo ends up being a fun little record; not enough to match the individual accomplishments of its contributors (ex-Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom and rockabilly revival guitarist/producer Danny B. Harvey fill out the lineup), and certainly not enough to equal the original versions of classic songs by Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly, but not in the least without its charms. Granted, Lemmy's inimitable croak doesn't always fit the music (do I really need to bring up the title track again?), but when coupled with hard-luck rockers like Cash's "Big River" and Lloyd Price's "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," it's a natural combination. And when the material calls for a softer touch, as on the album's nine (!) Buddy Holly covers, the Head Cat is able to step up to the plate more often than not: the enthusiasm Lemmy brings to "Not Fade Away" in particular, botched count-off and all, is infectious.
When all is said and done, of course, shaking off the inevitable "vanity project" tag will be virtually impossible for the Head Cat. Only those with a larger-than-average passion for novelty music, Motorhead or (less likely) rockabilly will actually want to listen to the dude who sang "Ace of Spades" tear through a half hour's worth of '50s rock covers; there's just no way around that fact. But if you're brave enough to give Fool's Paradise a shot, its ramshackle energy just might win you over. This isn't pleasant "Golden Oldies" rock'n'roll; it's the sound of a ragged bar band at last call, limping to the end of their set on nothing but nicotine, liquor and pure adrenaline. Turn it up loud and what the hell, maybe you'll be in a fool's paradise too.
MySpace Page
Buy It on Amazon
See Also: Lemmy, if you're reading this, might I suggest your next side project?
<< Home