The Motorpool - 'X-Ray Eyes' (Battenburg) Released 18/10/2004

The Motorpool’s debut album is a stirring testament depicting the torment and heartache of relationships. It’s the sound of a band that didn’t have a choice in writing these songs - for therapeutic reasons they clearly had to voice their troubles to listeners. In fact, when you find out that front men Billy and James Traxler personally built the studio where the album was recorded, it comes as little surprise.

Sounding remarkably like a tortured Ian McNabb, Billy Traxler’s sincere vocals and heart-rending lyrics are undoubtedly at their most moving when he is depicting hardships. On the great ‘Shutdown’ Traxler rues about the refusal of both spouses refusing to accept a relationship is over; “when it comes down to the shutdown we can’t say stop”. ‘Bad Chicken’ is a haunting metaphorical tale of neglected love that is burning away – the aching vocals are very convincing. The brilliantly titled ‘Beauty in a Pig Ugly World’, incredibly shows an even more emotional side of Traxler who sounds genuinely at breaking point. Indeed, most of the album is so personal that you feel almost guilty for intruding.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The title track is more optimistic - a pleasant enough tune, it unfortunately lacks the emotional thrust of earlier tracks and is no where near as stimulating. Similarly, the final two tracks, ‘Collision Course’, and ‘A Cut above the Rest’ are upbeat glimmers of hope for Traxler yet they are characterless and unsatisfying. Also, musically as well the band are sound a bit uninspired and derivative at times. 

Definitely not an easy listen, file this one next to The Smiths as something to listen to if your relationship breaks up.