Motorpsycho - You Gotta Hang On To The Trip You're On...

Three reviews of Let Them Eat Cake in a row taken from the
e-zine
POP PALACE, 2000.
English. Found at the pop palace-site.

Motorpsycho - Let Them Eat Cake

Norway's Motorpsycho really cover a lot of varied musical ground in the space of nine songs, but fine arrangements and production remain constant throughout this album. The first two tracks 'The Other Fool' and 'Upstairs- Downstairs', feature lush horn and string arrangement, leading right into the obligatory Brian Wilson homage track, 'Big Surprise'.
'Walkin' with J' is the grooviest song on the album and the obvious single; it's a rollicking Supergrass-y number (minus their flawless falsetto backing vocals). There's even an unexpected nod to the Allman Brothers on the instrumental track 'Whip That Ghost (Song For A Bro)', which sounds a bit like a marching waltz variation on 'Jessica'. Towards the end of the album, the songs get a little more mellow and atmospheric, with the last song '30/30' being equal parts guitar, piano, and a droning wash of noisy chords borrowed from the David Sylvian songbook. My only complaint with LET THEM EAT CAKE (besides the occasionally goofy lyrics - possibly due to translation?) is that, like The Flaming Lips, the singing is a little too coarse for the often gorgeous music. And perhaps Motorpsycho should consider a name change; it sounds like they should be sharing a bill with Rob Zombie or My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. It might have been more appropiate for their earlier, dissonant Sonic Youth-like rock, but it's a little misleading for their current well-orchestrated pop sound.

Jude Hayden
rating: 6 of 10

f r e s h e a r s r e v i e w s

Motorpsycho is a trio out of Norway, who have been releasing albums for over a decade. Apparently, prior releases have tended towards the type of hard and loud music that their name implies. LET THEM EAT CAKE is anything but.
The opener, 'The Other Fool' is reminiscent of the Left Banke in full chamber-pop effect, with a beautiful string section defining and accenting the melody. 'Upstairs- Downstairs' follows with acoustic guitar set against jazzy horns, creating an airy feel that perfectly complements its delicate melody. This track is somewhat reminiscent of the material on Nick Drake's first two albums, although without Drake's exquisite vocals. One cut after another features beautiful, detailed arrangements that often recall great pop albums, particularly those from the 60's. The only relative weak point in their sound is lead singer Hans Ryan's thinnish voice. But this is bolstered by frequent use of interesting backing harmonies. Perhaps the best indicator of the richness and variety to be found here is 'Whip That Ghost', which sounds like nothing so much as a vintage Allman Brothers instrumental, with gorgeous twin lead guitars and piano floating gracefully over a skittering rhythm section. This cd is a gem from a confident and mature group.

Brian O'Connor
rating: 8 of 10

f r e s h e a r s r e v i e w s

When I first heard of the band Motorpsycho a little while ago, I thought they were some kind of Metal act. Though there is an American metal band of the same name, this Motorpsycho is a Norwegian threesome that started out a decade ago, doing prog-inspired hard-rock. But through the course of their career they have shifted towards indie-orientated material, releasing 7 albums and a dozen EP's along the way. In their home land, and a few other European countries they have been very successful. With their latest record, LET THEM EAT CAKE, they have shifted towards a different musical style yet again and have recorded a flawless quality pop record, with beautiful melodies, at times even haunting, and evocative arrangements. 'Upstairs- Downstairs' and 'Stained Glass' are two very intimate ballads, while 'Big Surprise' is a Beach Boys orientated song, that has some great harmonies and is without a doubt the catchiest song on the CD. 'Whip That Ghost' is one of the best instrumentals I have heard in years, and 'The Other Fool', 'My Best Friend' and 'Walkin' With J' are some up tempo songs that have some great melodies and arrangements as well. Only the last of nine songs on this album, '30/30' didn't do it for me. I just felt it didn't fit in this collection. But who cares, when you have just listened to some extraordinary music! To me, this record is one of the surprises of the musical year. And definitely one of my favorites for Best Album of 2000! Can I have some more cake, please?

Patrick Beckers
rating: 9 of 10


[record reviews: let them eat cake]
	Motorpsycho - Let Them Eat Cake Three reviews of Let Them Eat Cake in a row taken from the e-zine POP PALACE, 2000. English. Found at the pop palace-site. Motorpsycho - Let Them Eat Cake Norway's Motorpsycho really cover a lot of varied musical ground in the space of nine songs, but fine arrangements and production remain constant throughout this album. The first two tracks 'The Other Fool' and 'Upstairs- Downstairs', feature lush horn and string arrangement, leading right into the obligatory Brian Wilson homage track, 'Big Surprise'. 'Walkin' with J' is the grooviest song on the album and the obvious single; it's a rollicking Supergrass-y number (minus their flawless falsetto backing vocals). There's even an unexpected nod to the Allman Brothers on the instrumental track 'Whip That Ghost (Song For A Bro)', which sounds a bit like a marching waltz variation on 'Jessica'. Towards the end of the album, the songs get a little more mellow and atmospheric, with the last song '30/30' being equal parts guitar, piano, and a droning wash of noisy chords borrowed from the David Sylvian songbook. My only complaint with LET THEM EAT CAKE (besides the occasionally goofy lyrics - possibly due to translation?) is that, like The Flaming Lips, the singing is a little too coarse for the often gorgeous music. And perhaps Motorpsycho should consider a name change; it sounds like they should be sharing a bill with Rob Zombie or My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. It might have been more appropiate for their earlier, dissonant Sonic Youth-like rock, but it's a little misleading for their current well-orchestrated pop sound. Jude Hayden rating: 6 of 10 f r e s h e a r s r e v i e w s Motorpsycho is a trio out of Norway, who have been releasing albums for over a decade. Apparently, prior releases have tended towards the type of hard and loud music that their name implies. LET THEM EAT CAKE is anything but. The opener, 'The Other Fool' is reminiscent of the Left Banke in full chamber-pop effect, with a beautiful string section defining and accenting the melody. 'Upstairs- Downstairs' follows with acoustic guitar set against jazzy horns, creating an airy feel that perfectly complements its delicate melody. This track is somewhat reminiscent of the material on Nick Drake's first two albums, although without Drake's exquisite vocals. One cut after another features beautiful, detailed arrangements that often recall great pop albums, particularly those from the 60's. The only relative weak point in their sound is lead singer Hans Ryan's thinnish voice. But this is bolstered by frequent use of interesting backing harmonies. Perhaps the best indicator of the richness and variety to be found here is 'Whip That Ghost', which sounds like nothing so much as a vintage Allman Brothers instrumental, with gorgeous twin lead guitars and piano floating gracefully over a skittering rhythm section. This cd is a gem from a confident and mature group. Brian O'Connor rating: 8 of 10 f r e s h e a r s r e v i e w s When I first heard of the band Motorpsycho a little while ago, I thought they were some kind of Metal act. Though there is an American metal band of the same name, this Motorpsycho is a Norwegian threesome that started out a decade ago, doing prog-inspired hard-rock. But through the course of their career they have shifted towards indie-orientated material, releasing 7 albums and a dozen EP's along the way. In their home land, and a few other European countries they have been very successful. With their latest record, LET THEM EAT CAKE, they have shifted towards a different musical style yet again and have recorded a flawless quality pop record, with beautiful melodies, at times even haunting, and evocative arrangements. 'Upstairs- Downstairs' and 'Stained Glass' are two very intimate ballads, while 'Big Surprise' is a Beach Boys orientated song, that has some great harmonies and is without a doubt the catchiest song on the CD. 'Whip That Ghost' is one of the best instrumentals I have heard in years, and 'The Other Fool', 'My Best Friend' and 'Walkin' With J' are some up tempo songs that have some great melodies and arrangements as well. Only the last of nine songs on this album, '30/30' didn't do it for me. I just felt it didn't fit in this collection. But who cares, when you have just listened to some extraordinary music! To me, this record is one of the surprises of the musical year. And definitely one of my favorites for Best Album of 2000! Can I have some more cake, please? Patrick Beckers rating: 9 of 10 Back to the Record Reviews page...