The Doleful Lions - Motel Swim

Artist: The Doleful Lions Title: Motel Swim Catalog#: Parasol-CD-032 Price: $12.00	Tracks on this CD:
	The Sound Of Cologne
	Respirator
	One Revolution (Around The World)
	A Viper In Hiding
	Motel Swim
	Gulliver Diver
	Advanded Japanese Candlestick Man
	Hang Around In Your Head
	All Winter Long
	Down Tiger, Down Tiger

other releases by the Doleful Lions

Jonathan Scott-Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Joe Caparo-Guitars, Vocals
Tony Stiglitz-Drums, Vocals
Amy Palazzolo-Bass (did not play on CD)

The Big Takeover
Issue No. 43

Doleful Lions
Motel Swim

On lead-off track "The Sound of Cologne," this NC-by-way-of-Illinois quartet celebrates the collected works of German drone merchants Can in the jangly manner of the early-'80s dB's; that odd juxtaposition characterizes the quirky charms of this ten-track debut. Coproduced by Mitch Easter, and ex-db Chris Stamey, the Lions cheerfully resurrect the guitar-driven sound of Southern Pop (remember the Windbreakers?) while simultaneously injecting some late-'90s lyrical disaffection into the mix. Guitarist Jonathan Scott has come up with an album's worth of good songs, including a couple of standouts: the bouncy, lilting "One Revolution (Around The World)" and the revved-up "Viper In Waiting." Elsewhere, they slow things down, as on the melancholic title track.

Option Music Culture
No. 81, July-Aug 1998
The Doleful Lions appear on "The Fast 15" list.

Option's Inside Report
No. 31
June 1, 1998

Another glorious pop band on Parasol is The Doleful Lions, a slightly more inward-looking bunch that still crafts some remarkable tunes. Recorded by Mitch Easter, their new CD, "Motel Swim," goes so far to open with a paean to Krautrock, sung with the sprightly enthusiasm of the Beach Boys. Go figure.

Bucketfull of Brains

The Doleful Lions
Motel Swim

by Bill Holmes

The Doleful Lions feature lots of great jangly guitar, sharp songs and a drummer who remembers what it's like to power the song. Despite odd song titles like "Advanced Japanese Candlestick Man," there is classic pop instinct at work here. "Gulliver Diver" is from the "Another Girl Another Planet" school, while "Hang Around In Your Head" is reminiscent of many 60s pop hits. The killer track is "All Winter Long," which starts out like Buddy Holly fronting Beat Rodeo and morphs into a Phil Spector production of Jan And Dean (including sleigh bell percussion!). The closer, "Down Tiger Down Tiger," is a sweet Badfinger-esque ballad. Vocalist Jonathan Scott sounds like Mitch Easter (Easter co-priduces with Chris Stamey, so go figure!) with a little more wallop behind him, or perhaps Sparks' Russel Mael in a more conventional pop band. While "Motel Swim" is not a seamless record, there's five songs here I wouldn't want to be without. One of 1998's nicest surprises.

Sticks and Stones
Fall 1998

Doleful Lions
Motel Swim

Remember in the mid-80s when every record you bought was great? When you could trust a record store clerk to steer you in the right direction, or better yet, trust the label imprint on the back as a sign of quality? Motel Swim is the modern equivalent of those records. This is a perfect updating of the Midwestern pop made by the likes of the Johnsons, Turning Curious and even Doleful Lions labelmates Weird Summer. From the overdriven pop like "Sound of Cologne" (about Can, no less!) and "Hang Around in Your Head" to quiet ballads (especially the title track) this album is as catchy as anything released this year. And much like on those pop sides of old, Mitch Easter is behind the boards, nicely capturing both the guitar crunch of these songs without losing the acoustic guitar touches found underneath. I can't recommend this album enough. It's a stunner, top to bottom.

The Rock Gospel According to Luke

The Doleful Lions
Motel Swim

by D.K.

The Doleful Lions is one of the all time crap names, up there with Local Rabbits for sheer, well, crappiness. Anyway, enough of the peripherals and on with the music. Looks like Parasol have come up trumps again (see Big Hello), Motel Swim is a sweet little album with enough lyrical twist and melodic suss to pad out the whole career of inferior bands and lesser mortals. Kicking off with The Sound of Cologne, I can't remember the last power pop band who wrote a tribute song to Can, but here it is, in all it's glory. Produced/recorded by Mitch Easter, he's managed to catch the band sounding almost English at times, especially with the title track, one of those slowies that just pulls you in, second by second, while you wait in vain for the big guitars to let rip and simultaneously destroy the moment. Gulliver Diver and One Revolution are also favourites at the moment, and I know it's going to get even better.

Music Monitor June, 1998
Underground and Overseas
by Dave Jackson

Similar honey can be found on the debut by Chapel Hill's Doleful Lions, Motel Swim, recorded by Easter with additional stuff by longtime cohort Chris Stamey. Gang ooh-aah vocals, jangly fingerpicking, occasional moody bits and possibly the only guitar-pop tribute to Can in existence, they bring taste, style and individuality to a genre often lacking in all three.

EYE
Aug/Sept 1998

The Doleful Lions
Motel Swim

by Sam Gaines

Guitar pop doesn't have to adhere to a formula - of course, that's the trick of it, and it's a trick few bands can master. Doleful Lions aren't quite there yet, but Motel Swim showcases a band that gives every indication of being on the right course. Any pop CD that starts with a song about a Can album has definitely got a fresh angle on its quarry. The occasional vocal harmonies are solid and work perfectly with the distant mood that permeates these 10 songs. Fans of Mitch Easter's studio wizardry (the man behind so much of the Southern guitar pop sound of the early-to-mid-'80s) should note his production, aided by ex-dB and quirky solo guy Chris Stamey. Their input aids considerably to the dense, sometimes compelling sounds of Doleful Lions craft. The lead vox are very thin, and the guitars occasionally edge toward that tiresome jangle past, but you'll find a wealth of invigorating pop ideas boiling over from this odd cauldron.