Paradise Motor Inn - Paradise Motor Inn

​Paradise Motor Inn

​Paradise Motor Inn
self-released; 2016

3.5 out of 5

BY Ted Rogen
​

Joel Sargent (vocals/guitar/bass/harmonica), Stuart Vanderplank (vocals/guitar/lead guitar/bass), Hamish Carrington (lead guitar/bass), Peter Whitehead (drums) are a band called Paradise Motor Inn from Australia that have been around since 2011. The band has been told they sound similar to Pink Floyd and Modest Mouse. That sounds about right when listening to their self-titled debut Paradise Motor Inn but is only applicable to specific songs.

The band opens with “Take A Walk” which is a catchy, pop song. It’s a solid effort but held back by the sub par production. The music needed more separation and the vocals lay on top of the mix here. 

​Luckily the mix sounds much better on the next song “Adelaide.” The Pink Floyd comparisons become quite obvious on this song. Everything from the guitar playing to the epic crescendo has a hint of Pink Floyd. 

“Blues Man” is an upbeat song with some of the catchiest vocal melodies that sound much closer to Sublime than Pink Floyd this time around. The band displays some songwriting skill on “Cocoon” as well as scattered vision.

A highlight was “Mundane.” I especially enjoyed the vocal arrangements towards the beginning. As the song progresses it becomes quite epic going into Pink Floyd territory once again. “Streets Can Talk” is another success with some slick drumming and other parts that plain out rock. They close with “Benders Song” which is an epic sprawling eight-minute track.

Music that tries to be this epic works better when it's polished and sounds like it was recorded at a professional studio. I have to say that this recording doesn't reach it's full potential. All in all some of the songs shine through and the lo-fi approach works better for the songs that sound more aligned with bands like Modest Mouse and Built for Spill.

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