Old Town Crier – Peterson Motel
Peterson Motel, the latest EP from Jim Lough (going under the moniker Old Town Crier) is another brief but solid collection of Americana-soaked rock tracks.
The five songs – all coming in at a Ramones-friendly two-to-three minutes long – are a collection of compelling made-up stories about the inhabitants of a real motel in Lough’s hometown of Middleboro, MA.
“This EP is sort of a concept album revolving around the Peterson Motel, the people who I imagine stayed there, and the things they possibly did,” he said. “I found an old postcard of The Peterson, which gave me the idea. It also serves as the cover of the album.”
The album opener, “Goodbye Jimmy D.,” has a strong ‘50s vibe, while “Janeice” about the titular protagonist quitting her former life, is a more straight-ahead rock number. “Room 615” boasting some of the best electric guitar on the record is an early stand out track, thanks in part to the catchy sing along chorus, about a loner hiding out in the motel. The last two tracks, “Tell Me That You Love Me,” and “Truck Drivin’ Man,” both mid-tempo rockers, are not the strongest tracks here, but solid songs nonetheless that grow on you after repeated listens.
Lough, who also owns the independent label, Stinkbug Records and is a founding member of the acoustic string quartet, Riley Coyote, self-produced the EP. Half of all proceeds from this record will be donated to the ACLU, “because I didn’t feel comfortable promoting an album while our democracy is being tested the way it has been lately,” he said.
You can find the music here on BandCamp: https://oldtowncrier.bandcamp.com/album/peterson-motel
Words, music, and album art are by Jim Lough, with backing vocals by RiLeY CoYoTe. The album was mixed and mastered by Dave Westner and released via STiNKBuG ReCoRDS inc.
Half the proceeds from this album go to the ACLU.
