Motoroma - Alps

This reissue has enabled me to hear Motorama's debut album, well after subsequent Motorama releases on the Talitres label of Bordeaux. This release is much better than the Bordeaux wines this year, and from last year as well. Connoisseurs rest aware, as Motorama offers a near perfect blend of the Merlot and Tannat grapes as it were. They are smooth on the surface, with a long and stubborn aftertaste. Being pop music though, Motorama's sound has ripened from New Order and Big Country riffs and licks. There are no gloomy themes though, but mountainous pop songs which linger on and meander like a non-suicidal Ian Curtis. The vocals give away that Motorama are Russian, from Rostov they are, but their poetic and still slightly symbolical lyrics, as nice as they incomprehensible, are restricted to words of imagery and of universal meaning, and this does not spoil the moment. A wonderful amount of mystification graces 'Alps'. It celebrates melodies and catchy hooks (New Order pun fully intended) plus light-weight orchestration. Motorama's ear-ringing jingling has an affectionate punch. There are plenty of great tunes there for the picking. You'd be far-fetched to find tracks as gorgeous on a New Order or Big Country album.'Alps' is absolutely tantalising. After three or four listens, you won't even recognize the 1980's riffs and hooks, but you will be following its melodies.

Track Listing:-

1 Nothern Seaside
2 Warm Eyelids
3 Compass
4 Letter Home
5 Wind in Her Hair
6 Ghost
7 Alps
8 Ship
9 Hunters
10 Normandy
11 Empty Bed
12 Far Away from the City