Search - Andy Stochansky :: Five Star Motel

Five Star Motel
Andy Stochansky
Five Star Motel
Genres: Alternative Rock, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

There's a profound difference between irony and understatement, a simple truth that fuels Andy Stochansky's big-label bow from its quavering opening guitar notes. While the multi-instrumentalist and Toronto native has ma...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Andy Stochansky
Title: Five Star Motel
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: RCA
Release Date: 8/20/2002
Genres: Alternative Rock, Rock
Style: Indie & Lo-Fi
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 019341161820, 019341161820

Synopsis

Amazon.com
There's a profound difference between irony and understatement, a simple truth that fuels Andy Stochansky's big-label bow from its quavering opening guitar notes. While the multi-instrumentalist and Toronto native has managed two previous releases (the well-received indies Radio Fusebox and While You Slept), he's spent most of the '90s as a sideman, including a long stint as Ani DiFranco's drummer. But it's his latter-day, novice's intrigue with the acoustic guitar that fuels much of this subtly evocative standout. With a voice that teasingly wavers between a weary Ray Davies and angelic Jeff Buckley dreaminess, Stochansky's deceptively austere constructions build on elegantly simple melodies and loping rhythms, the introspection and impressionism of their lyrics building a sense of hypnotic intrigue. The dominant subject here may be love, but hardly in the traditional romantic sense; the singer often filters the emotion through prisms of indifference ("Here Nor There"), humanistic spiritual yearning ("One Day"), fatalism ("Wedding Day"), and even as a father struggling to come to terms with his gay daughter ("Miss USA"). Some, like "Wonderful (It's Superman)" and "Mavis Said...," gather enough steam to become anthems, but Stochansky never lets them stray from his compelling, less-is-more ambient-pop sensibility. --Jerry McCulley

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CD Reviews

Strong Pop Rock
Delvis | Plymouth, MI United States | 05/23/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)

"As an Ani fan I was not sure what to expect when I picked this CD up. At first I was surprised (disappointed?) at what a commercial sound it seemed to have - THEN I listened a little more. This is a very good CD. The songs are lyrically very strong, 22 Steps is my favorite. Many reviewers have commented on his voice, some friends have asked Is that Bono? New U2? No this is not a U2 album! Frankly, Andy Stochansky has his own intelligent voice and a wonderfully accessible sound. A very enjoyable album."
I'm hooked
rwebb01 | Louisville, KY United States | 04/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just saw Andy perform live this past weekend, and was blown out of the water! I had heard Ani mention Mr. Stochansky on "Living in Clip" and was interested to see what he was putting out now. After the show I got to talk to Andy and he signed my CD, and now I really couldn't take it out of my CD player if I wanted to. I highly recommend this album, especially "Here nor There," "22 Steps," and "Everest." The music is refreshing, positive, calming, and contemplative all at the same time. And I always have more respect for people who write and play their own stuff, and Mr. Stochansky is a genius in this department. I am also impressed with his ability to step out of his own point of view, and write lyrics from another perspective besides his own. His lyrics are very inspiring. Go buy this CD!!"