Customer Reviews

Policy

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Totally neglected by the media, this is by far some of the finest recordings by Martha Davis. This was intended to be the next Motels album, when the band dismembered. This is a fine collection of songs, of which the majority of the world was deprived. Anyone with the slightest interest in The Motels, would absolutely love this album.

Martha Davis was allegedly working on a musical as she was composing these songs for The Motels to record. Unfortunately, neither happened. The musical was never produced and the band broke up. But these songs remain and should have firerocketed Martha into solo stardom. Who knows why, but the CD disappeared with minimal notice.

That is too bad because "Policy" is a darn good album, to my ears, better than The Motels' "Shock." I even set up a contest for this at the time I was working at radio, and still have a cassette with Martha plugging the station and the contest. There were two surefire hits on "Policy" as well. "Tell It To The Moon" and "Don't Tell Me The Time" were both great pieces of pop that got a little radio play. ("Tell It To The Moon" was also one of those hook-laden insta-hits written by pop maestro Diane Warren and will likely be a hit for someone in the future.)

The darkness that permeated The Motels' songs also comes into play here. Both "Rebecca" and "What Money Might Buy" give their femme fatales some really meaty lyrics to shape up to. Sadly, this was Martha's only record. I am glad I have my autographed copy...and Martha, come back!

Track 11, Bridge of Sighs, is also on this CD. I haven't seen it listed on the few websites I've looked at, but it sure is there!

While no longer under the banner of the Motels, Martha's first solo album followed the sound the Motels had established during and since "All Four One." In fact, "Policy" was intended to be the band's seventh album (sixth to be released as "Apocalypso was shelved back in '81). Had the album been released as a Motels album it might have done better in the states. Australia, however, had little difficulty recognizing Martha's talent, whether it was under the banner "Motels" or her own name. The single "Don't Tell Me the Time" hit the Top 10 down under. Several other singles spawned from the album for the Australian audience. Meanwhile, back in the U.S.A., "Don't Tell Me the Time" barely cracked the Top 100 singles list. Only "Just Like You" found enough airplay on FM Radio to solidify a position at #15 on the FM Radio charts. Unfortunately, because the album was released as a Martha Davis solo and not a Motels' album, the songs on the album often get overlooked for compilation projects. The album has never been rereleased since its intial release which is s shame since it contains some great songs that deserve to be heard: "What Money Might Buy," "Rebecca," "Lust," and "Heaven Outside My Door," as well as the hits "Don't Tell Me the Time," "Tell It to the Moon," and "Don't Ask Outloud." Hopefully, as they are rereleasing full-length Motels albums in 2 packs, they might consider a "Shock" / "Policy" release.

I was happy to find this floating around out there. I have 2 copies of this on cassete and was excited to finally get this on cd. ive always thought the motels were a very underrated band. Martha Davis has definetly one of the best vocals in rock. Also she seemed to surround herself with the best talent.One thing about this disk is that the first 5 or 6 songs on this disk are very good where the rest of it kinda falls off and are not as catchy as the rest.Still though it is a must 4 fans who love her and her band. It is a shame she waited to long to put her latest effort out 10 plus years later and was also a very good release. It sure would be nice 4 her and her record label to put out a best of motels/davis video catalog out . wishful thinking...