Customer Reviews

Motor Motel Love Songs

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Some of you may know Jason Collett as a member of the surging indie rock group Broken Social Scene. While their album You Forgot It In People is a fantastic rock record, Motor Motel Love Songs showcases Jason Collett melting his groups sound down to a much softer, gentler, sweeter, more laidback pop/rock/folk album.

Jason opened up for his band at the First Unitarian Church in Philly when I saw them. As soon as he started playing, I knew I had to get his record. The track that stood out the most for me live was All I've Ever Known, and indeed, it's a great track on the cd as well. Other notable tracks include the soft rocking Gabe, the beautiful Airport, and the blissful Blue Sky, my favorite song on the album.

For fans expecting something like You Forgot It In People, beware. It's nothing like it. But in it's own right, it's a fine little record with quality production and more than enough good songs on it to make it worth a listen and/or a purchase. And if you get a chance, definitely see Jason and Broken Social Scene live, they put on a phenomenal show.

Yup it can be a bit sappy, sometimes slow and melancholy, but I like that sometimes. Plus it has enough really good up-tempo stuff that you can put the top down, press down on the gas and realize this life ain't so bad.

Check out #1, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 13. All really good.

Plus my 6 yr old likes it too.

I didn't like this album at first. A couple songs were a bit too mellow for my tastes, but the more I listen to it, the more I like it. Collett has an incredible voice that is perfect for these melodic folk/rock ballads. Some of my favorite Collett songs still come from his Idols of Exile album, but songs like "Bitter Beauty" and "Lucky Star," both more upbeat, come pretty close. "Gabe" and "Stormy Woman Salty Girl" are great soulful ballads.

Mellow, melodic, suffused with country and folk elements, but definitely in the rock camp, filled with lyrics that drift by without seeming to say anything overly concrete... This is a consistent favorite in our music carousel, just the perfect thing to play when nothing else seems right. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue music reviews)

I must admit that I find the lead off track to be one of the best pop songs that I have heard over the past five years. The majority of the tracks are very solid, though I must admit that I was disappointed by the production on "Tiny Ocean of Tears".

All of that said, I really can't stop listening to it. For an album that I stumbled upon one day, it is one that has made it into heavy rotation on my stereo.

Take a chance. I doubt that you'll be disappointed.

Broken Social Scene's lead singer Jason Collett's debut album Motor Motel Love Songs is a great secret. While many people will have heard of him, that won't take away the singer/songwriters integrity. The John Mayer/Gavin DeGraw-esque soft rock that so many fail at is Collett's saving grave. "Bitter Beauty" is a fantastic track, as are "Airport", "Blue Sky" & "Gabe". Lyrically Jason is indeed gifted, but many of his songs lack single potential. While they may be good songs, its just not something that I would ever imagine hearing on the radio. None the less, its still a solid album that is worth checking out.

Several people have told me about Jason Collett, so I decided to give him a listen. I was told because I really like Elliott Smith that this guy would blow me away. That being said, the people who recommended this guy to me should be beaten with a garden hose. Now, I understand that it's cool to jump on the Bob Dylan bandwagon, but these Bob Dylan impersonators have got to cut the crap. Dylan is a legend; there's no denying that, but imitating him to the degree these artists do is painful to listen to. His SON didn't even try as hard as Jason Collett does to impersonate him.
I never thought I would wanna hear another Wallflowers song again, but I need something to cleanse this crap out of my system.

Comng from a BSS alum, his is about the sappiest album I have ever heard. If you are looking for inventiveness, goto "apostles of hustle." This album makes Pete Yorn look love lost. Snooooooooze. With all the great singer/songwriters out there this is one that will surely be lost in the crowd.