Artist: Memory Motel
Title: Wasted Days / Lost Souls
Released: August, 2012
Label: (self-released)
Format: 7” vinyl (limited ed. of 500 in color!)
Genre: space rock, garage rock, folk, trip hop
I’m sure the aforementioned genre description is throwing you for a loop. Trust me, it’s all of that combined and more.
This is the band Memory Motel, a young band (most of the members have yet to reach 20 years old) and yet they have this uncanny knack for blending numerous styles together to create an amazing two song single. This 7 inch will be their debut on the physical format, pressed on colorful splattered vinyl, limited to just one pressing of 500 copies.
Side A: “Wasted Days” is our opener. This piece strongly exemplifies the blending of the genres; maybe we’re seeing a birth of a newer genre here… who knows. Either way, this’ll be THE piece all future tracks of this type from any artist will be judged. The instrumentation is flawless and so expertly crafted, blended and brewed that it’s taken me well over a week to form the right words for it. And just what are those words? Effortless, skilled, perfect and cosmic. Lyrically, this is a strong track. So, you get the best of both worlds here, musically. You can’t ask for anything more.
Side B: “Lost Souls” leans a lot more on the guitar and the vocals. It’s a real change of pace after the A-side, but that actually works. Soon, the affects and cosmic instrumentation roars in and ebbs softly away, allowing for the guitar and vocals to return. This pattern continues through the track, acting like the tide coming in and out from the shore. The lyrics here are quite poetic but easy to follow. It’s easy to see what’s going on here and it’s quite a relatable track. Perfect.
Final thoughts?
The band shows amazing talent despite being so young. Seriously, I wish my music sounded that good when I was their age. Comparatively speaking, it’s like putting The Flamin’ Lips, BRMC, Pink Floyd and a drop of Night Kings together in a blender, and then adding a bit of outer space. If this single doesn’t generate a lot of attention, then I’ll be quite surprised. This is something you shouldn’t pass up.
4.9 out of 5.
