Search - Motels :: Little Robbers

Little Robbers steals the show

12/15/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With new found national and international success, The Motels forged on in 1983 with their fifth album (fourth to actually be released) "Little Robbers." The production for album 5 proved to be more refined than "All Four One," but the basic elements were intact. Leading the album to chart success was the first single, "Suddenly Last Summer" that made the U.S. Top 10 and went to #1 on the U.S. FM Radio list. "Remember the Nights" followed, landing in the U.S. Top 40 and reaching to #10 on the U.S. FM Radio list. While on tour to promote the album, Martha fell ill with cancer and the tour was cancelled. Capitol decided not to release any more singles from the album, but two songs received strong FM Radio play: "Little Robbers" (#18 FM Radio list), and "Trust Me" (Top 100 FM Radio list). Any of the songs could have been potential singles, which is probably why non-album tracks were used for the b-sides of the two singles. "Tables Turned" is a beautiful rock ballad that Martha sings with the utmost seductive passion, yet she is able to turn around and rock out on the opening song for the album, "Where Do We Go From Here?" While more polished than "All Four One," the album is a definite statement on how powerful The Motels sound was and is. It earned the band a gold record in the U.S., Cananda, and Australia. -- One sad note, while I am grateful One Way Records rereleased the album on CD, they did not include the two b-side tracks "Some Things Never Change" (b-side to "Suddenly Last Summer") and "Killing Time" (b-side to "Remember the Nights"). Two song definitely worthy of inclusion.-Alan"

Martha Davis and The Motels were astounding

R. Lindeboom | Paso Robles, CA USA | 04/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"and this is arguably their best record. 'Remember the Nights' was one of the best songs of the 80s and 'Suddenly Last Summer' is pure Motels and anyone wishing to explore their music would be well-served by starting here. (Though all of their albums are brilliant and the same kind of argument could be made for any of them -- this record is just my personal favorite.) Hopefully, there are some live tapes of The Motels out there somewhere which will one day show up on DVD, I'd be a buyer. As one of the best bands of the 80s, I'd love to see The Motels in action."

Ah the memories!

Mark Miller | Boulder, CO. | 01/20/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I came of age during the 1980s and The Motels are part of the "soundtrack of my life." I used to hear "Only The Lonely" (the track that put them on the map, in my opinion), "Suddenly Last Summer," and "Remember The Nights" on pop radio and they've been on my "favorites list" ever since.



I got "Little Robbers" because it had two out of the three of my favorites, and I liked a couple of the other samples I heard on here.



Of the titles on this CD, "Remember the Nights" is my favorite! It's energetic, and colorful, telling wistfully of wonderful, romantic getaways.



After listening to the CD, I also came to like "Where Do We Go From Here," and "Monday Shut Down" (which apparently doesn't exist on any other Motels CD).



The title track, "Little Robbers" is a playful party tune and it's enjoyable.



All in all I liked half the tracks on this album, which isn't bad."