The Motels - Shock (1985) (1990)

The Motels - Shock (1985) (1990)

Released on Capitol Records in 1985, Shock was the Motels' fifth studio album (not including their unreleased Apocalypso album from 1981). "Shame," the lead single, peaked at No. 21 on the Pop Singles Chart. The title track was remixed and released as single, peaking at No. 84 on the Pop Singles Chart. Produced by Richie Zito, the album reached No. 36 on the Pop Albums Chart. Soon afterward the Motels disbanded and Martha Davis went solo, releasing her Policy album in 1987. Reissued on CD in the US in 1990, Shock is long out of print and difficult to find.

With Shock, the Motels attempted to move squarely into the MTV-sponsored pop/rock mainstream, adding harder guitars and bigger hooks. Although their makeover isn't entirely successful, the best moments on the album -- "Shame," "Cries and Whispers" and the title track -- are enjoyable mainstream rock.

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Line-up

Arthur Barrow - Synthesizer, Fretless Bass
Martha Davis - Guitar, Vocals
Brian Glascock - Percussion, Drums
Michael Goodroe - Bass
Martin Jourard - Keyboards, Saxophone
Guy Perry - Guitar
Scott Thurston - Guitar, Keyboards

Tracklist:

01 Shock 04:32
02 Shame 04:14
03 Hungry 04:22
04 Annie Told Me 04:23
05 Icy Red 04:33
06 New York Times 03:59
07 State of the Heart 04:45
08 My Love Stops Here 03:49
09 Cries and Whispers 04:12
10 Night by Night 04:42
11 Hideen Track - Shock (Single Remix) 04:11

The Motels - No Vacancy (Best Of) (1990)

The Motels - No Vacancy (Best Of) (1990)

Led by the charismatic Martha Davis, The Motels were one of the most successful and acclaimed bands to emerge from the fertile Los Angeles new wave scene, reaching the Top Ten in 1982 with their biggest hit, "Only the Lonely." Davis formed the group in 1972 while living in Berkeley, CA, recruiting guitarist Dean Chamberlain and bassist Richard d'Andrea; originally dubbed the Warfield Foxes, they became the Motels upon relocating to L.A., but despite interest from a number of record labels, the group suffered through endless lineup changes, finally disbanding in 1976. Davis soon formed a new Motels roster with guitarist Jeff Jourard, his saxophonist/keyboardist brother Marty, bassist Michael Goodroe, and drummer Brian Glascock; signing to Capitol, in 1979 the group issued their self-titled debut LP, scoring a minor hit with the ballad "Total Control." Guitarist Tim McGovern, formerly of the Pop, replaced Jeff Jourard prior to the release of the 1980 sophomore effort Careful. After Capitol rejected the Motels' third album, All Four One, McGovern exited, and the group re-recorded the album with guitarist Guy Perry and assorted session musicians. This time the label relented, releasing All Four One in 1982; the album eventually went gold on the strength of the atmospheric "Only the Lonely," which ascended to the number nine spot...D. Jellinc

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Tracklist:

01 Danger 3:24
02 Only the Lonely 3:16
03 Celia 3:05
04 Shame 4:09
05 Careful 3:29
06 Suddenly Last Summer 3:40
07 So L.A. 3:35
08 Cries and Whispers 4:09
09 Icy Red 4:28
10 Apocalypso 3:30
11 Total Control 3:51
12 Take the L 3:40
13 Trust Me 3:24
14 Remember the Nights 3:06
15 Bonjour Baby 3:25
16 Little Robbers 3:54
17 Annie Told Me 4:18
18 Kix 2:14
19 Whose Problem? 3:54