The Motors

9-26-08 The Motors

CD 1 VIRGIN UK CDV 2089

1977 9 TRKS (1 x bonus track) ('90 issue)

LP 1 VIRGIN UK V 2089

1977 8 TRKS UK original issue

12" AIRPORT VIRGIN UK VS 219-12

1978 3 TRKS no pic sleeve, blue vinyl

CD AIRPORT - GREATEST HITS CAROLINE US CAROL 1777.2

1995 17 TRK Collection

7" AIRPORT (mono / stereo) promo VIRGIN US ZS8 9519

1978 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

CD APPROVED BY THE MOTORS VIRGIN UK CDV 2101

1978 12 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks) ('90 issue)

LP APPROVED BY THE MOTORS VIRGIN UK V 2101

1978 10 TRKS red vinyl

7" BE WHAT YOU GOTTA BE VIRGIN UK VS 194

1977 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" COLD LOVE (mono / stereo) promo VIRGIN US ZS8 9517

1977 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

12" DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY VIRGIN UK VS 186-12

1977 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

12" FORGET ABOUT YOU VIRGIN UK VS 222-12

1978 4 TRKS no pic sleeve, red vinyl

10" LOVE AND LONLINESS VIRGIN UK VS 263

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, yellow vinyl

LP TENEMENT STEPS VIRGIN US VA 13139

1980 8 TRKS die-cut cover

Nick Garvey solo:

LP BLUE SKIES VIRGIN UK V 2231

1982 11 TRKS Ex-Motors

Bram Tchaikovsky solo:

LP RUSSIANS ARE COMING, THE RADAR UK RAD 26

1980 11 TRKS Ex-Motors

Former Ducks Deluxe guys, Class of ’77 – not quite punk, but not really ‘power pop’ or ‘pub rock’. In 2008, they sound like nobody else. I recently came to reconsider The Motors after seeing a music video for the track “Dreaming Your Life Away” off of their 2^nd album, “Approved By The Motors” (I don’t think it was ever a single, and Virgin Records UK seemed to make videos for songs that weren’t singles, at that time).

I remember liking “Cold Love” from their debut album when it was new; that’s why I got a copy of their debut LP – years later, I discovered that the US 45 of that song is totally different! Seriously, The Motors were a great singles band – I am surprised that they didn’t have too many hits in England – I know “Airport” was big, but…it’s not my favorite Motors song – this week, that would be “Dreaming Your Life Away” – sounds like a ‘lost Beatles song’ to me!

Ah, the solo albums are a tad disappointing. I know there are two other Bram Tchaikovsky albums for me to find, still. I don’t remember the Nick Garvey album at all, must give it a spin. It’s nice to have all (?) of their colored-vinyl 12” (and 10”) singles!