On the debut album from The Western States Motel, Carl Jordan's intricately-woven songs recall Ektachrome summers and dusty Datsuns traversing the suburban plains of California. This is sunshine pop, no doubt, but it looks inwards as well. For every person who's ever been anywhere, or that's heading someplace, this is your soundtrack. Even if you're just standing still, this may set you on your way. 'The Western States Motel is exactly what it sounds like: driving music. There's a bit of The Shins' mystical 60's psych-rock vibe and some rainy day Elliot Smith-ness to boot. Sounds good right? It is.' -New York to London 'Tragically it's no longer summer, but this album serves as a reminder, generating gold memories of flip-flops on feet, road trips and summer flings. The Western States Motel's self-titled album is a strong debut from a promising Los Angeles songwriter.' -West Coast Performer Magazine 'Out of all the new music I've been listening to recently -- and, christ, you could devote a full-time job to keeping up on everything coming out right now and still fall behind -- I swear I keep coming back to the lazy, strolling tracks on TWSM the most. The song 'Southwest Planes' is the kind of tune that gets stuck in your head so completely that repeated listenings just cause it to find a better purchase there, rather than exorcising it away. ' -Radio Free Silverlake '...with nods to the 'California' sound...the album is catchy and smooth in the Grandaddy meets Beck sense. I see good things for this band's future.' -Acidbird '...bliss-filled acoustic pop. 'Powerlines' is an absolutely gorgeous track ' -Rock Insider.
1) If Your Life Is Just a Dream
2) The New E Blues
3) Powerlines
4) Cheap Speakers
5) The Restless Sea
6) Rows of Homes
7) Southwest Planes
8) Estereo
9) Magic Trick
10) Firing Range Days
11) I Won't Be Going Back to San Diego