Motorama - "Calendar"

Artist: Motorama

Album: Calendar

Label: Talitres

Release Date: November 6^th, 2012

Review by: Sean Kayden

It’s not everyday where you come across a musical group that absolutely blows you away. Granted, there are many acts one may enjoy, but I’m talking about hearing a song (and eventually the entire album) that makes you feel like your listening to music for the very first time in your life. I strongly believe this moment of sheer enlightenment or bliss or whatever you want to call it happened to me. I present, Motorama, a band hailing from Rostov-on-Don (Southern river port), Russia. Their sound is considered to be post-punk rock, but you’ll unmistakably notice the ‘80s new wave style blended into their unique style. However, to lump them into any genre isn’t fair. Their music speaks louder and means more than the confinements to any specific type of category. The strange thing is the band’s lyrics are all in English. They’re completely unknown stateside and are signed to a French label. As far similarities go, the band’s music evokes the sounds of The National, Interpol, and Joy Division with a dash of chillwave sprinkled on top. These obligatory comparisons are drawn on the basis of the singer’s strong vocal resemblance to the lead singers of these bands. The vocals are stark, deep, and carry much emotional weight. However, what really stood out to me were the wondrous arrangements that are dreamy, light, and float effortlessly in each and every song. Like I previously mentioned, Motorama will completely surprise you on every track. Their sound is sweet and while it gallops fluently, it will draw you in like a strong vortex.

“Calendar” features ten remarkable tracks. The consistency of the album is astounding. That’s not to say the band plays anything too safe because they hardly ever do. Their talent of crafting soothing and peaceful melodies is rather astonishing. Rarely can a group put you in a perpetual reverie state like the way this five-piece band does. There is no denying how their sound induces a strong presence, one that needs not to be ignored or freely dismissed. If you’re looking for some of the best music offered in any country, look no further than Motorama. These guys will shock you on how great they are. Of course everything is subjective, but I’m telling you, if you’re a fan of any kind of rock music, Motorama is your next favorite band. Listening to their sophomore album, “Calendar” is like heading to unknown terrain. You don’t know what you’ll discover, but when you do find that something, you’ll realize it’s exactly that very thing you’ve been missing all along. Motorama is the band absent from your car’s CD player, your computer’s hard drive, and your mp3 player’s playlist. Don’t go another day without listening to this exceptionally unmatched band. 

To identify which songs precisely are a highlight from the album is not an easy task because every song is simply marvelous. The opening track, “Image,” is an excellent example of how the record will sound throughout. With it’s danceable, jangly like rhythm, you’ll get easily lost within the music. Despite how an individual song may open up sounding, Motorama always switches gears and shifts their resonance into something quite heavenly. “Rose In The Vase” is completely stunning. This masterpiece has an exquisite rhythmic sound and a deeply melancholic tone. “Calendar” brings you an arsenal of pensively twee pop tunes. There’s no lack of warmth, heart, or soul. Everything found on the album was unexpected pleasure matched with unparalleled beauty. With some of the best sounding arrangements I’ve ever heard, Motorama’s follow-up album, “Calendar,” is an extraordinary accomplishment on all levels of production. This isn’t just the best album of the year, but one of the greatest albums in quite sometime.

Grade: 9.7 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Rose In The Vase”, “In Your Arms”, “Young River”, “Sometimes”

Published By Mountain Views News on November 17th, 2012
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n46/p11.htm