Complete List Of The Motels Albums And Discography

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This Complete List Of The Motels Albums And Songs presents the full discography of The Motels studio albums. The band The Motels was first formed in 1975. The group The Motels hails from the area of Berkeley, California. This complete discography by The Motels also includes every single live album. All these mesmerizing albums The Motels have been presented below in chronological order. We have also included all original release dates with each Motels album as well as all original Motels album covers. Every Motels album listed below showcases the entire Motels album tracklisting.

THE MOTELS STUDIO ALBUMS

Motels

Released 1979

“The Motels,” the self-titled debut album by The Motels, set the stage for the band’s distinct new wave and alternative rock sound. Released under Capitol Records, the album drew critical acclaim but achieved only moderate commercial success.

The album featured Martha Davis on vocals and guitar, Jeff Jourard on guitar, Marty Jourard on keyboards and saxophone, Michael Goodroe on bass, and Brian Glascock on drums. It was produced by John Carter. The album was recorded at Eldorado Recording Studios in Los Angeles between September and November 1979.

CD Track Listings:

“Anticipating” – 3:44
“Kix” – 2:24
“Total Control” – 5:58
“Love Don’t Help” – 3:49
“Closets & Bullets” – 3:02
“Counting” – 4:40
“Celia” – 3:08
“Porn Reggae” – 5:08
“Norman Bates” – 4:07

Careful

Released 1980

Following up on their debut, The Motels’ sophomore album “Careful” built on the new wave sensibilities of its predecessor. Although not a massive commercial success, the album had a good reception and set the stage for future mainstream achievements.

The album featured Martha Davis on vocals and guitar, Jeff Jourard on guitar, Marty Jourard on keyboards and saxophone, Michael Goodroe on bass, and Brian Glascock on drums. It was produced by John Carter. The album was recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood between May and June 1980.

CD Track Listings:

“Danger” – 3:26
“Envy” – 3:26
“Careful” – 3:30
“Bonjour Baby” – 4:11
“Party Professionals” – 3:17
“Days Are O.K. (But The Nights Were Made For Love)” – 3:35
“Cry Baby” – 4:15
“This Old House” – 3:24

All Four One

Released 1982

The band’s breakthrough came with “All Four One,” thanks to the hit single “Only the Lonely.” This album garnered the band substantial airplay and mainstream attention.

The album featured Martha Davis on vocals and guitar, Tim McGovern on guitar, Marty Jourard on keyboards and saxophone, Michael Goodroe on bass, and Brian Glascock on drums. The album was produced by Val Garay. It was recorded at Record One Studios in Los Angeles between November 1981 and January 1982.

CD Track Listings:

“Mission of Mercy” – 3:01
“Take the L” – 3:40
“Only the Lonely” – 3:16
“Art Fails” – 2:51
“Change My Mind” – 3:20
“So L.A.” – 3:26
“Tragic Surf” – 3:25
“Apocalypso” – 3:28

Little Robbers

Released 1983

After the success of “All Four One,” the band released “Little Robbers,” which featured the hit single “Suddenly Last Summer.” The album continued their momentum in the mainstream rock and new wave scenes.

The album featured Martha Davis on vocals and guitar, Guy Perry on guitar, Marty Jourard on keyboards and saxophone, Michael Goodroe on bass, and Brian Glascock on drums. The album was produced by Val Garay. The album was recorded at Val Garay’s Studio in Hollywood in the Spring of 1983.

CD Track Listings:

“Where Do We Go from Here” – 3:00
“Suddenly Last Summer” – 3:42
“Isle of You” – 3:50
“Trust Me” – 3:27
“Monday Shut Down” – 3:04
“Remember the Nights” – 3:11
“Little Robbers” – 3:55
“Into the Heartland” – 3:30

Shock

Released 1985

“Shock” aimed to capitalize on the band’s previous success but received mixed reviews. It includes the hit “Shame,” but the album didn’t perform as well as its predecessors. Nonetheless, we loved this album. The opening track “Shame,” is one of their best.

The album featured Martha Davis on vocals, Guy Perry on guitar, Marty Jourard on keyboards and sax, Michael Goodroe on bass, and Brian Glascock on drums. The album was produced by Richie Zito. It was released on Capitol Records. The album was recorded in Los Angeles in 1984 and early 1985.

CD Track Listings:

“Shame”
“Shock”
“Icy Red”
“New York Times”
“State of the Heart”
“My Love Stops Here”
“Cries and Whispers”
“Night by Night”
“In the Jungle”

This

Released 2008

After a long hiatus, “This” marked The Motels’ return to the recording scene. The album was generally well-received and marked a return to form for the band.

The album featured Martha Davis on vocals, Jon Siebels on guitar, Clint Walsh on guitar, Nick Johns on keyboards, and Eric Gardner on drums. The album was produced by David J. Holman. It was released independently. The album was recorded in Los Angeles between 2006 and 2008.

CD Track Listings:

“It Really Doesn’t Matter”
“Last Few Beautiful Days”
“Machine”
“Hiding Out”
“Light Me Up”
“Above the Clouds”
“Bruises”
“Hurt”
“Nobody”
“Freefall”

Apocalypso

Released 2011

This album was originally recorded in 1981 but shelved in favor of what would become “All Four One.” It was finally released in 2011 and received positive reviews for its experimental nature.

The album featured Martha Davis on vocals, Tim McGovern on guitar, Marty Jourard on keyboards and sax, Michael Goodroe on bass, and Brian Glascock on drums. The album was produced by Val Garay. It was released on Omnivore Recordings. The album was recorded in Los Angeles in 1981.

CD Track Listings:

“Art Fails”
“Tragic Surf”
“Only the Lonely”
“Schneekin'”
“So L.A.”
“Apocalypso”
“Mission of Mercy”
“Lost but Not Forgotten”
“Who Could Resist That Face”
“Sweet Destiny”

If Not Now Then When

Released 2017

This album, a mix of rock and alternative styles, was not a commercial hit but was appreciated by fans who had been following The Motels for years.

The album featured Martha Davis on vocals and guitar, Clint Walsh on guitar, Nic Johns on bass, and Eric Gardner on drums. The album was produced by Martha Davis and engineered by David J. Holman. It was released independently. The album was recorded in Los Angeles between 2015 and 2017.

CD Track Listings:

“Punchline”
“Tipping Point”
“Icy Red”
“Light On”
“Nashville Obsolete”
“Inamorata”
“We’re Already There”
“Judging by the Score”
“Hiding in Plain Sight”

The Last Few Beautiful Days

Released 2018

Another album that saw The Motels delve further into alternative rock, “The Last Few Beautiful Days” was well-received by critics for its depth and complexity.

The album featured Martha Davis on vocals, Clint Walsh on guitar, and various session musicians. The album was produced by Martha Davis and engineered by David J. Holman. It was released independently. The album was recorded in Los Angeles in 2017 and 2018.

CD Track Listings:

“The Last Few Beautiful Days”
“Machine”
“Lifeboat”
“Look At Me”
“Steal Away”
“Paradise”
“Unforgivable”
“Imposters”
“Tipping Point”

THE MOTELS LIVE ALBUMS

Standing Room Only

Released: 2007

“Standing Room Only” is a live album by The Motels. This album captures the electricity of The Motels’ stage performances and serves as an essential entry in their discography for fans wanting to experience their live prowess.

The lineup features Martha Davis on vocals, Tim McGovern on guitar, Marty Jourard on keyboards and saxophone, Michael Goodroe on bass, and Brian Glascock on drums.

CD Track Listings:

“Mission of Mercy” – 3:59
“Take the L” – 3:44
“Suddenly Last Summer” – 4:38
“Only the Lonely” – 3:16
“Remember the Nights” – 4:27
“Shame” – 4:12
“So L.A.” – 3:51
“Danger” – 3:27
“Celia” – 4:05
“Total Control” – 6:19

Atomic Cafe: Greatest Songs Live

Released: 2009

“Atomic Cafe: Greatest Songs Live” is another live collection by The Motels. This album showcases the group’s live capabilities and includes many of their most beloved tracks.

The band lineup is similar to their other works, featuring Martha Davis on vocals, Tim McGovern on guitar, Marty Jourard on keyboards and saxophone, Michael Goodroe on bass, and Brian Glascock on drums. Producer and recording location details are not specified.

CD Track Listings:

“Only the Lonely” – 3:17
“Suddenly Last Summer” – 4:41
“Shame” – 4:11
“Take the L” – 3:39
“Danger” – 3:28
“Mission of Mercy” – 4:02
“Total Control” – 6:18
“Closets & Bullets” – 4:11
“Trust Me” – 4:25
“So L.A.” – 3:50

The Motels at the BBC (Live)

Released: 2016

“The Motels at the BBC (Live)” is a collection of performances recorded at the BBC studios. It offers fans a different environment to experience the band’s talents.

Martha Davis is featured on vocals, Tim McGovern on guitar, Marty Jourard on keyboards and saxophone, Michael Goodroe on bass, and Brian Glascock on drums. The album was recorded at BBC studios, but the exact dates are not specified.

CD Track Listings:

“Danger” – 3:32
“Only the Lonely” – 3:20
“So L.A.” – 3:55
“Take the L” – 3:43
“Suddenly Last Summer” – 4:37
“Mission of Mercy” – 3:58
“Art Fails” – 3:31
“Change My Mind” – 3:47
“Total Control” – 6:22
“Little Robbers” – 4:00

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