Sunday, April 14, 2013

My Amazon Reviews: Martha Davis "Policy"

Better Than Shocked
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Martha Davis was allegedly working on a musical as she was composing these songs for The Motels to record. Unfortunately, neither happened. The musical was never produced and the band broke up. But these songs remain and should have firerocketed Martha into solo stardom. Who knows why, but the CD disappeared with minimal notice.

That is too bad because "Policy" is a darn good album, to my ears, better than The Motels' "Shock." I even set up a contest for this at the time I was working at radio, and still have a cassette with Martha plugging the station and the contest. There were two surefire hits on "Policy" as well. "Tell It To The Moon" and "Don't Tell Me The Time" were both great pieces of pop that got a little radio play. ("Tell It To The Moon" was also one of those hook-laden insta-hits written by pop maestro Diane Warren and will likely be a hit for someone in the future.)

The darkness that permeated The Motels' songs also comes into play here. Both "Rebecca" and "What Money Might Buy" give their femme fatales some really meaty lyrics to shape up to. Sadly, this was Martha's only solo record on a major label, though she has released two others independently and toured with new incarnations of The Motels. I am glad I have my autographed copy...and Martha, come back!

     

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