Last one out of the review bag this month just scrapes in under the wire from Soundclick newcomers Exit Motel. No idea what it's all about but there's plenty of info on their SoundClick webpage or their own site from which I've gleaned they are a duo (Matt Clark and Rich Patmore to be precise) and hail from Eastern England. Their music certainly doesn't sound in any way English though; in feel this is steamy rock of the eternal kind. The only dead giveaway are the lyrics and the deadpan delivery used to put them across (think Cure and you won't be far wrong).

There are some remarkably good brit alt bands, and in performance terms, Exit Motel sound like they belong; having a very classy arrangement to back up the musical dexterity. There is a tremendous laid back feeling to the track which at first I found a little off-putting, repeated plays put paid to that though. Just a question of getting used to. The more I got into the track the more I had to hand it to Exit Motel for a terrifiic arrangement that gives you glimpses of past history from 10cc to - as I mentioned before - The Cure.

Coming from a live band, you'd expect a certain amount of cohesion, and that's certainly the case if Hospital Man is anything to go, Exit Motel have their own particular take on this genre and it's surprisingly fresh sounding. Definitely a band I would want to go out and see, they'd certainly make for a lively evening. As such Hospital Man is a worthy introduction to this band and although it's the only track available on Soundclick right now, I'm sure it'll be followed by many others. Hospital Man is a study in how to make rock that's light but still has plenty of bite, and an indication of how they may be newcomers to Soundclick but not newcomers to making their music. Well worth going for a listen, right now.

Alternative rock that works. Highly Recommended.

Less is more for this classy band

This is in a different league. Based here in the new city they may be, but when we say it is not a local release as much as something that could have been delivered to our desk via a major label, we are simply stating facts.

There is just such and easy air of professionalism about this work, from the song structures and lyrics through to the all important production, and into the presentation. Flights of Gravity is a classy piece from start to glorious finish.

It's bold, it takes musical risk after another, and they all work out just fine. Exit Motel is the meeting of minds belonging to Matt Clark and Rich Patmore with a smattering of outside aide when necessary, and theirs is a true melding of styles, not a clash of genres in the hope that something will work. Knowledgeable, thought out and brilliant through its less is sometimes more approach.

It's a record that knows how to be emotive, when to rock steady and when to calm it right down. This isn't a work in progress, it's a finished splendour that proves that rock music - a here a great many of its facets - can be clever.

What's more this stuff transfers into the live arena without losing any of its cohesion or grip. Exit Motel have made an album that deserves to fly high.

You simply have to hear this, and thanks to the professionalism at work in the ranks you can purchase online from Amazon.co.uk. We can't suggest stongly enough that you go get hooked up with a copy

11 tracks of pure Exit Motel

A long time ago, in a venue far, far away, I saw local duo Exit Motel play acoustic. I loved them ... Then I saw them at The Pitz with their instruments filled with electricity and they totally blew me away. I loved them even more. Now they’ve released their debut album. Here’s what I think about it …

I can’t remember how many times I’ve seen them play … but it’s lots. Acoustically anyway. But I’ve only seen them play at The Pitz once, and the entire dynamic of the sound was completely different. Adding in Bass and drums and using real electric guitars instead of plugged in acoustics completely changed the sound, and I remember standing at the back thinking, “Oh my, this is it”. They really were that good and everyone around me agreed.

When they told me that they were going to 4D Studios to record their new album under the watchful eye of Paul Ford, I knew it would be a landmark for them, so I waited with eager anticipation. They wrote, they recorded, they mastered, they created the CD Artwork, they got it pressed … 10 months later they posted a promo copy through my door! I ripped it straight away then put the original CD in the car and drove to work.

My first impressions were “This isn’t your normal Exit Motel”. It wasn’t just Rich and Matt and their guitars … this was something different.

The production values are excellent, both Matt and Rich use their vocal power to harmonise beautifully, and the addition of drums, bass, even keyboards in places produces a sound mix that just works.

The highlight for me is “Lost Inner City Estrange” which has been remixed and now has a really rocky ending to it that made me think, “yeah, that’s how it should sound”. Anyone who likes Exit Motel knows this song … but when you hear the album version you’ll just get it. However, I think my favourite track on the whole album has to be “Gravity Fields”. This starts with some beautiful twiddles, pulls in their perfect harmonies and just goes … at the end of it, I can guarantee you’ll play it again … and again … and again. It’s almost addictive!

I like all of it really. Each track stands alone, but follows the original concept for the album. This album is the essence of Exit Motel, and is a damn fine piece of work. I’ll put it like this … if you like grown up, alternative rock that’s just off the mainstream … if you like thoughtful, well structured music … if you like great harmonies … you really are going to love this album.

Buy it now and get it in the car, drop it onto your iPod, keep it on your computer as your surfing soundtrack … you’re going to love it!

"This is really very weird. The verses are sparse and leave a dry flavour, whilst the chorus is beautifully twisted, with a crazy chord progression and slippery melody to boot. It all comes across as experimental, although you do have a sense that it's under control."

"...theres so much going on in this track, its hard to pin it down. the guitar offers up numerious flavors from the beatles, to funk, to robert frippish riffs and solos (a solo, i might add, that is way too cool for the room). the drums hold the track together nicely. the vocals are emotive (without being over the top), and nicely done. and just when you think you know where the tune is going, it veers off ... into a very tastefull and interesting outro section. this is an amazingly tasty track, arranged in such a way as to keep the listener interested in whats going to happen next, as well as to keep one's head bobbin on time to the music.... great song, highly reccomended."

"...that was an awesome count in, I love that slow groove to the song, its awesome..."

And finally, you can't please everyone...

"To be honest, I don't enjoy this song too much. The main guitar riff really doesn't seem very inspiring..."

Both long term established musicians, Rich Patmore and Matt Clark have lived in Milton Keynes for many years. I met up with them recently to find out more about their music, and why they believe that any band has got to have a plan. I always like to find out how people get their start in music. Rich and Matt arrived at today by slightly different routes.

Rich started playing guitar at an early age as his older sisters played a little and he occasionally picked it up and strummed out random noise. In his early teens, it all clicked in his head and after he realised what frets were for, he started making some music. Matt came to it from a different angle and formed a band with some school friends. Playing since he was eight, along came the band ‘Lupa' and away it went from there.

The urge to write, the urge to play and most importantly, the urge to express themselves through music is just too important to them in the early days. Matt said “I had to work twice as hard as everyone else to achieve the same thing, so it’s not natural for me, but it just had to be done”. They both agreed that they’re not into ‘widdley guitar parts’ and wouldn’t consider themselves technical musicians. But that’s not what appeals to them. They just want to write and play music. More...

A Great Opening Set at Sabotage -

Introducing a range of new songs into their set, you can tell that Rich and Matt practice what they preach when it comes to their music. It's the first time I've seen them live since I interviewed them and they really have made a major effort with their writing and performance. Playing a tight set with some energetic, driven acoustic music, they put all their efforts into it, and it totally paid off.

You could feel the energy and emotion they put into their harmonised vocals, and introducing a rock guitar sound into the underlying music pushed their already high standards beyond its usual level. Despite a major equipment failure during one of their songs, which I may add they dealt with professionally and without skipping a single note, Rich and Matt played confidently and the introduction of drummer Bud into a couple of the tracks added a richness to their already unique sound.

Kudos to Exit Motel for a great opening set at Sabotage.