Nite Songs

  We reviewed One Thousand Motels' debut album 2% Out Of Sync  back in January ( link here if you need a reference point) although it actually saw the light of day late last year. Either way though, it's clear that Chris Constinatou and Rat Scabies are both intent on making hay while the sun shines - six odd months for a turnaround period is impressively quick. While their debut had a sort of psychedelic feel to it, the opener here When The Rabbit's Got The Gun  sounds more like an old Edwin Starr soul number - bit unexpected but I'm not complaining. Dark Harvest is harmonica honking blues rock with some unhinged Screamin' Jay Hawkins style vocals over the top of it while the funky strut of Brand New Headline  and Reel Me In (the latter complete with a Stax style horn section over the top) see them setting the ground nicely. This soul/funk sound might not be what you were expecting from a couple of punk veterans like Chris and Rat but I'm impressed with how wel...

  Featuring the talents of Rat Scabies on drums and former Adam & The Ants bassist Chris Constantinou, both last seen hooking up together in the Mutants, One Thousand Motels see the pair eschewing the guest stars approach of the three Mutants albums for a more back-to-basics approach. There's a weird fuzzy psychedelic sort of vibe to this album which reminds me of Queens of the Stone Age (though thankfully the version before Josh Homme got drunk on his own armpit stench and they didn’t so much jump the shark as do a triple pike with somersault over it) more than anything. I can also hear Screamadelica  era Primal Scream on the tripped out likes of Definition  and the vocals on the laid-back Gone  and Gerry's Ashes  could almost be Andrew Eldritch after an overdose on Horlicks. It's maybe telling though that One Thousand Motels sound at their best when they inject a bit of urgency into their sound - the Beatles-y Rain  and Kill Me If You Love me  ar...