Review: Mother Island ‘Motel Rooms’
If you were looking for a little something light and summery to take you away during these hectic times, then Mother Island’s new album Motel Rooms could well be the cure for you. Describing themselves as a ‘whimsical and lunatic space where five musicians resurface their primary and dawning influences, truly A Magic Theatre, For Madmen Only, with a love for Italian movies of the 60’s and a deeply surf-oriented flair’.
Motel Rooms is the brand new, third full length record by Vicenza’s psych rockers Mother Island, and it’s a quirky little gem of an album, the perfect escape for these times of uncertainty, when we all need a little summer sun in our lives. There’s an overwhelming feel of Americana in the sound, and for me it’s reminiscent of Sallie Ford, which is no bad thing, as Sallie Ford is truly a genuine purveyor of Americana at its finest.
Motel Rooms is a ten track feel good album, and this feeling runs through the whole thing, it’s a pleasure to listen to, it’s not in any way heavy or aggressive, there’s no morbid tracks about mortality or political agenda anthems about smashing the system, it’s just the perfect escape from all of the negativity that has become the staple of most modern music.
Right from opener Till The Morning Comes, the love of Americana and the surfer lifestyle is apparent, it seems to sway into Alison Mosshart and early The Kills territory at times, which is fine, as Alison Mosshart is the shear embodiment of uber cool, and this tune is no different. There are also comparisons that can be drawn with Dusty Springfield vocally, and at times even Debbie Harry as track two, Eyes Of Shadows, has tones of Blondie all over it.
Motel Rooms is a lovely distraction from the current situation throughout the world, it’s fresh and vibrant, and a real treat for anyone wishing to forget their worries and just drift away…
The running theme is light and breezy, and in particular, a favourite moment of mine on the whole album for this is track four, Summer Glow, where the essence of this is captured wonderfully. As with all great music, there are layers, and a darker moment is track five, We All Seem To Fall To Pieces Alone, which is more atmospheric and emotive. It’s a contrast to the rest of the album, but in the best possible way as it isn’t out of place, and fits nicely amongst all of the lighter songs.
Track nine, Dead Rat sways into the realms of The Style Council, or even The Jam, it’s a little more retro sounding, calling out to the spirit of the early eighties at times. Closing track, Lustful Lovers is a far more sultry animal, it’s an incredibly sexy tune, and it’s the highlight of the whole album for me, it has me dreaming about dimly lit rooms, with a glass of red wine, and someone special for company.
Motel Rooms is a lovely distraction from the current situation throughout the world, it’s fresh and vibrant, and a real treat for anyone wishing to forget their worries and just drift away.
Label: Go Down Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
