New West Motel

New West Motel is the fifth studio album by alternative rock band The Walkabouts. It was released in 1993 on Sub Pop Records. It is a double album, where all songs are credited to Chris Eckman or/and The Walkabouts except for a cover of Texan cult musician Townes Van Zandt's "Snake Mountain Blues".

Critical reception

Jason Ankeny writing in a positive review for AllMusic said that it features "edgy juxtaposition of blistering guitar workouts and plaintive acoustic cuts."

Track listing

All songs written by The Walkabouts, except where noted. All lyrics written by Chris Eckman, except where noted.

1. "Jack Candy" – 4:41
2. "Sundowner" – 3:38
3. "Grand Theft Auto" – 5:41
4. "Break It Down Gently" – 3:36
5. "Your Hope Shines" – 4:14
6. "Murdering Stone" – 3:18
7. "Sweet Revenge" – 5:44
8. "Glad Nation's Death Song" – 4:21
9. "Long Time Here" – 4:19
10. "Wondertown (Part One)" – 1:23
11. "Drag This River" – 4:02
12. "Snake Mountain Blues" (Townes Van Zandt) – 5:47
13. "Findlay's Motel" (string arrangement by Mark Nichols) – 6:36
14. "Unholy Dreams" – 5:21

The album was produced during November and December 1992. It was engineered at Clearwater Productions, Gig Harbor, Washington and Bad Animals Seattle, Washington.

Personnel

The Walkabouts

• Terri Moeller – drums, percussions, backup vocals
• Bruce Wirth – violin, lap steel guitar, mandolin, vibes
• Glenn Slater – piano, organ, noises, accordion
• Michael Wells – bass, harmonica
• Carla Torgerson – vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, percussion
• Chris Eckman – vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars

Bravura String Quartet strings on "Findlay's Motel"

• Steven Toda – violin
• Dave Beck – cello
• Gregg Rice – violin
• Sam Williams – viola

King Jesus Disciples

:vocals on "Your Hopes Shines"

• Roosevelt Franklin
• Johnny Gray
• James Young

Additional musicians

• Mark Nichols – conducting of the string arrangement on "Findlay's Motel"

Technical

• The Walkabouts – production
• Ed Brooks – production, engineering
• Kevin Suggs – assistant engineering
• Joe York – assistant engineering
• Jim Haviland – chief technical advisor
• Tony Kroes – pre-production for Second Nature Productions
• Gary Smith – pre-production for Fort Apache
• Paul Kolderie – pre-production for Fort Apache
• John Saba – guitar technician for Stephens Stringed Instruments
• Michael Taponga – drum technician

Design

• Ben Thompson – cover design, cover painting (digital)
• Tony Kroegs – cover painting (analog), band photo
• Kevin Gibson – band photo, shot at the Five-O Tavern.

Release history

References