Zen Motel – Stations of the Dead

These lads have been labelled ‘c*ck’ rockers in the past. I don’t really see it myself, but those who have seen Zen Motel live will know about the band’s phallic references … the song ‘about sucking your girlfriends c*ck’ titled “Head” being a prime example. Possibly one of the only songs I’ve heard in a while and wanted a bath not long after!

My favourite on the album is by far “21st Century Bitch” (previously recorded a couple of times) Fast paced with trashy pop hooks and a spine tingling guitar riff section three quarters of the way in. “So Selfish Too” is guitarist, Alex Green’s song. With a distinct Yo-Yo’s/Wildhearts feel, it’s a tiny bit different from the rest of the tracks on the album but fits in very nicely.

I’m not an Adam Bomb fan in the slightest, but their cover of “Pissed” is particularly good, in fact a whole lot better than the original. “Last Night of the English Pigs” is a good stab at selfishness. ‘Got a government that you deserve … got a career that you deserve’ are lyrics that take a stab at the ‘system’.

The second album from the Essex rockers does not disappoint at all. In short, this album has more or less everything you could expect from a band like Zen Motel … and then some. Put it on, get it on, do what you need to do with it – it’s a f***ing good record and I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise.

Tracklisting:
1. Head
2. 21st Century Bitch
3. Dress Code Violence
4. Real Good Time
5. Howl
6. So Selfish Too
7. Drugstar
8. Pissed
9. What You’re On
10. Last Night of the English Pigs
11. Honey Ryder
12. Trackside Pussy

www.zenmotel.co.uk or www.myspace.com/zenmotel

Review by Nix

© Pure Rawk 2008