On Parole
| On Parole | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg)
United Artists 1979 release
|
||||
| Studio album by Motörhead | ||||
| Released | 8 December 1979 | |||
| Recorded | September 1975 & December 1975 – February 1976 |
|||
| Studio | Rockfield Studios, Monmouth, Wales | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll, hard rock | |||
| Length | 36:59 (Original) 52:27 (Reissue) |
|||
| Label |
United Artists (1979) Liberty (1981) Cleopatra (1991) EMI (1997) |
|||
| Producer | Fritz Fryer, Dave Edmunds | |||
| Motörhead chronology | ||||
|
||||
| 1981 LP | ||||
.jpg)
Liberty Records Vinyl LP reissue
|
||||
| 1991 CD | ||||
_1991_reissue.jpg)
Cleopatra Records First CD reissue.
This CD cover has the original line up of Lemmy, Larry Wallis and Lucas Fox.. |
||||
| 1997 CD | ||||
.jpg)
EMI CD Remastered reissue with bonus tracks
|
||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
On Parole is the first recording made by the band Motörhead. It was left unreleased at the time of its completion in 1976, and it was not released until over three years later, on 8 December 1979, after the commercial success of Overkill and Bomber that same year. It was released without the band's permission, and they consequently distanced themselves from it upon its release.
Originally intended for a 1976 release date, United Artists was not convinced of the album's commercial potential and did not want to release it at the time. It would remain unreleased for over three years until Motörhead had made a name for themselves with commercial success of their three previous albums, and United Artists decided to cash in on this after the fact. As a result, it was not considered an official release by the band at the time and they did not want it released, as they had moved on, first to Chiswick Records and then Bronze Records, since then.
It is still a contentious entry, in whatever format, within the band's catalogue. This is due in main to the original line-up having already changed prior to its completion in the studio, the obvious sound differences to their previous three albums, and Motörhead's stated opinions about how United Artists behaved as they did in 1976 towards them. Fans, critics and the band themselves remain divided as a result, hence its position in the 'Compilations' section of their discography.
Motörhead signed with United Artists when Andrew Lauder, A&R man for Lemmy's old band Hawkwind, secured them a record deal. This is the only album to feature the band's original line-up of Lemmy on vocals and bass, Larry Wallis on guitar and vocals, and Lucas Fox on drums. During the sessions, original producer Dave Edmunds relinquished his duties, being replaced by Fritz Fryer. Drummer Fox was then replaced by Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, a casual acquaintance of Lemmy's from the 'bikie' drug scene, who had been persuaded to drive him to Rockfield Studios and "bring his drum kit", as he had boasted to Lemmy that he played. Taylor then overdubbed all of Fox's tracks except for "Lost Johnny", as he was being held in custody following an arrest for alleged drunk-and-disorderly conduct when that session was due to take place, and the session time had run out by then.
...
Wikipedia