the Informer

Saint Motel, an up and coming band from the West Coast, released their EP, "ForPlay" on Sept. 8. The charming quartet bear a notable sound that mingles psychedelic rock elements with a modern alternative feel. The economical iTunes purchase also includes imaginative music videos for each of the EP's six tracks.

"Eat Your Heart Out" opens with falsetto harmonies chirping the song's title. The ethereal hum of electric guitar and drums begin pulsing with a melody that's reminiscent of The Who. However, as the drums kick up, the song is thrust into the modern era. With the whine of the lead guitar, the tune luxuriates in full-fledged, fast-paced rock. The accompanying video depicts the band members performing alongside singing trees and mountains. Jerky camera effects truly highlight the bouncy nature of the song.

Light guitar melodies usher in the alternative swaying strains of "Butch." Thick drum beats and wry lyrics bring the track to its wild bridge. Filled with melodies that give off a vintage feel, the video for "Butch" perfectly fit's the song's mood. As the video begins, a nail polished hand is seen peeling open an old yearbook. As the camera focuses on a still frame of the band performing, the black and white photograph comes to life. The camera continues to follow the band members jumping into other animated photos and serenading the young woman surveying the yearbook.

"Dear Dictator" begins with the sound of a crooning, melancholy guitar line. With atmospheric echoes and the sweet, smooth voice of lead singer AJ, the tune dives into an intense verse. A pulsing bass line and pounding drums create a passionate environment for the duration of the song.

The coordinating music video is dynamic in its portrayal of this "Dictator" character. Accompanied by scantily clad vixens, AJ builds and rebuilds the video set to depict different scenes of this drama. From the aforementioned lead singer's fervent declamation into the camera lens to the band members chain-smoking observation of the harangue in the following scene, the video is a powerfully-symbolic piece.

With a Vampire Weekend intro, "Pity Party" is a poppy tune wrought with biting lyrics. The aggressive beats and subject matter of the song are beautifully expressed in the vintage appearance of the music video. The iconic video follows around members of the band dressed in delightfully-retro outfits. The band members are viewed from the waist down as they carry out the movie star gangster agenda of sneakily paying one another off and "whacking" each other.

"To my Enemies" is an energetic romp of a tune. With syncopated guitars and silky voices spewing caustic lyrics, the song is a bit reminiscent of The Fratellis' vintage rock sound. The matching video is an intriguing tale of murder and betrayal. From the opening shot of the lead singer laying in his coffin, the action rewinds to show the suspicious cause of his death.

The final track on the EP is "Do Everything Now." A swinging bass line joins tongue-in-cheek lyrics to create a sexy, yet sarcastic, anthem for promiscuity. With its passionate bridge, the band delivers a driving, aggressive work. The video for "Do Everything Now" splices live Saint Motel performances into what looks like a circa 1972 science fiction flick. A true ode to the band's unabashed old school style, the first shot of what looks like an instructional video displays the title "The effects of Saint Motel on the brain."

To learn more about the charismatic gentlemen of Saint Motel, you can visit www.saintmotel.com for links to their MySpace and Blog. Also, iTunes offers the EP "ForPlay" for an absolute steal. For anyone who revels in boisterous, brassy musicians with the skills to pull it off, Saint Motel is definitely worth a listen.