The Walkabouts - New West Motel

Review by Ben Saren

New West Motel by The Walkabouts: A Genre-Blurring Gem from 1993 Released in 1993, New West Motel by The Walkabouts is a fascinating blend of rock, pop/rock, and alternative styles that feels as timeless today as it did back then. With its roots firmly planted in alternative country-rock, indie rock, and a touch of Americana, this album manages to carve out its own space across genres. It’s no wonder the record found audiences not just in the US but also in Germany, France, Greece, and beyond. Labels like Sub Pop, Glitterhouse Records, and Virgin France S.A. clearly saw something special here—and they weren’t wrong. The band’s lineup on New West Motel brings together an eclectic mix of instruments and talents. Carla Torgerson’s haunting vocals and guitar work anchor the sound, while Bruce Wirth adds layers with violin, steel guitar, mandolin, and even vibraphone. Glenn Slater sprinkles piano, organ, and “noises” (yes, that’s credited!) throughout, creating textures you don’t expect. And let’s not forget Michael Wells’ basslines and harmonica or Terri Moeller’s dynamic drumming and backing vocals—they’re all part of what makes this album so richly layered. Producer Ed Brooks deserves a shout-out for weaving these elements into something cohesive yet unpredictable. Two tracks stand out for me, both for different reasons. First up is "Like A Hurricane." This one hits hard right outta the gate. Its soaring melody paired with Chris Eckman’s evocative lyrics creates a vibe that’s equal parts melancholy and uplifting. You can almost picture driving through endless highways under stormy skies—it’s cinematic without being overblown. Then there’s "Snake Mountain Blues," which leans more into the country-rock side of things. The twangy guitars and mournful harmonica give it a raw edge, like a dusty old tale told around a campfire. These songs stick because they balance storytelling with emotion, never feeling forced or overly polished. One thing I appreciate about New West Motel is how unafraid it is to experiment. Sure, some tracks lean heavier on one genre than another, but that’s kinda the point. The Walkabouts aren’t trying to fit neatly into any box; instead, they’re crafting their own little universe where rock meets folk meets alt-country. Even the artwork—designed by Tony Kroes with photography by Kevin Gibson—feels like it belongs to this same world: gritty, authentic, and slightly offbeat. Looking at the credits, it’s clear everyone involved poured their heart into this project. From Günter Pauler’s mastering to Ben Thompson’s digital design tweaks, every detail matters. Heck, even the fact that someone thought to credit “noises” shows how much care went into capturing the album’s unique atmosphere. Reflecting on New West Motel, it strikes me how rare albums like this are nowadays. Back in ’93, bands had room to explore weird ideas and cross-pollinate genres without worrying too much about marketability. Listening to it now feels like stepping into a time capsule—but not in a nostalgic way. More like rediscovering a forgotten treasure chest full of surprises. If anything, it reminds us that great music doesn’t need to follow trends. Sometimes, breaking rules leads to magic. Oh, and fun fact? Track titles like "Glad Nation's Death Song" popping up twice might make you double-check your playlist. But hey, maybe that’s intentional—like life looping back on itself. Or maybe someone just hit repeat by accident. Either way, it works.

Download The Walkabouts - New West Motel

Artist: The Walkabouts
Album: New West Motel

1999

Rating: 4.67

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Catalog Numbers
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Notes
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Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

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Filename: the-walkabouts-new-west-motel.zip

MP3 size: 172.5 mb
FLAC size: 1377.7 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Glad Nation's Death Song	4:21
Break It Down Gently	3:36
Jack Candy	4:41
Grand Theft Auto	5:41
Your Hope Shines	4:14
Snake Mountain Blues	5:47
Findlay's Motel	6:36
Unholy Dreams	5:21
Sweet Revenge	5:44
Your Hope
Yesterday Is Here
Drag This River	4:2
Wondertown, Pt. 1	01:23
Findlay's Motel
Glad Nation's Death Song
Wondertown
Sundowner	3:38
Prisoner Of Texas
Wondertown (Part One)	1:23
Long Time Here	4:19
Glad Nation's Death
Like A Hurricane
Murdering Stone	3:18

Video

The Walkabouts - Drag This River

Images

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Catalog Numbers

SPCD 81/252
GRCD 252
077778706021
SP 81/252
CMD-028

Labels

Sub Pop
Ποπ + Ροκ
Glitterhouse Records
Creativeman Disc
Labels, Virgin France S.A.

Listen online

kuunnella verkossa
ouvir online
online luisteren
escuchar en línea
online anhören
écouter en ligne
lytte på nettet
lyssna på nätet
ascolta in linea

Formats

2 × Vinyl
LP
Album
Test Pressing
White Label
2 × CD
Special Edition
CD
Promo
Reissue
Cassette

Companies

Role	Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Sub Pop
Copyright (c)	Fire & Skill Publishing
Distributed By	Virgin France S.A.
Published By	Fire & Skill Publishing
Pressed By	EMI Uden
Engineered At	Clearwater Productions
Mastered At	Pauler Acoustics
Manufactured By	Optimal Media GmbH

Credits

Role	Credit
Bass	Michael Wells
Harmonica	Michael Wells
Drums	Terri Moeller
Percussion	Terri Moeller
Vocals	Terri Moeller
Piano	Glenn Slater
Organ	Glenn Slater
Noises	Glenn Slater
Accordion	Glenn Slater
Producer	Conrad Uno (tracks: D1 to D3), Ed Brooks (tracks: A1 to C5), The Walkabouts, Tony Kroes (tracks: D1 to D3)
Violin	Bruce Wirth
Mandolin	Bruce Wirth
Vibraphone	Bruce Wirth
Acoustic Guitar	Carla Torgerson
Electric Guitar	Carla Torgerson
Backing Vocals	Terri Moeller
Steel Guitar	Bruce Wirth
Design	Ben Thompson
Engineer	Ed Brooks
Lyrics By	Chris Eckman (tracks: 1 to 11, 13, 14)
Painting	Tony Kroes
Performer	Michael Wells
Lap Steel Guitar	Bruce Wirth
Photography By	Kevin Gibson , Tony Kroes
Written-By	The Walkabouts (tracks: 1 to 11, 13, 14)
Design [Cover Design	Tony Kroes
Analog]	Tony Kroes
Digital]	Ben Thompson
Mastered By	Günter Pauler

Notes

Edition with 2 CD (New West Motel + EP Jack Candy)
PROMO
Slimcase with different cover from commercial release
'Not for sale, promotion only' printed on CD
With liner notes in Greek and slightly different artwork all around.
Given free with the 244th issue of Ποπ&Ροκ magazine, on September 1999.
8-page panel booklet with lyrics, credits and pic
On back cover and disc:
Made in Holland
On booklet:
Produced November / December 1992.
Engineered at Clearwater, Gig Harbor, WA and Bad Animals, Seattel, WA.
On disc:
℗ 1993 Sub Pop
Sticker on front cover: Includes 3 bonus tracks not on cd.
© 1993 Fire & Skill Publishing (BMI) administered by Bug Music, Inc., except track C3 © Columbine Music Inc. (ASCAP), track D1 © Jalma Music, administered by Ackee Music, Inc. (ASCAP) and track D2 © Silver Fiddle (ASCAP)
Made in Germany
"Mastered by Günter Pauler" credit and "Mastered at Pauler Acoustics" are denoted from runout identifiers, and not listed in the back cover.
German Edition

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout (Runout side A): EFA DoLP-08252 A
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B): EFA DoLP-08252 B
Matrix / Runout (Runout side C): EFA DoLP-08252 C
Matrix / Runout (Runout side D): EFA DoLP-08252 D
Barcode (Text): 0 718750 825223
Barcode: none
Barcode (Scanned): 077778706021
Barcode (Text): 0 77778 70602 1
Price Code (Boxed): PM 520
Rights Society: Biem / Stemra
Matrix / Runout: EMI 7870602 01) 1-1-1-NL
Barcode (Text): 0 718750 825216
Label Code: LC 8323
Matrix / Runout (Runout Side A, etched): EFA DOLP -08252 A Dmm G. Pauler
Matrix / Runout (Runout Side B, etched): EFA DOLP - 08252 B Dmm G. P.
Matrix / Runout (Runout Side C, etched): EFA DOLP - 08252 C G. P.
Matrix / Runout (Runout Side D, etched): EFA DOLP - 08252 D Dmm G. P.
Barcode: 0 718750 825223
Matrix / Runout: BOD ELDORADO GR 252
Barcode: 4015698071825
Rights Society: GEMA
Barcode: 4 030433 025222
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L357
Mould SID Code: IFPI 5223
Barcode: 7 23248 30452 4
Barcode (Scan): 718750825223
Matrix / Runout: BOD EFA 08252

About The Walkabouts

Folk-Rock group from Seattle, USA, formed 1984. They took the name The Walkabouts after the movie Walkabout by Nicolas Roeg from 1971. Line-up: Chris Eckman (vocals, guitar); Carla Torgerson (vocals, guitar); Michael Wells (bass); Terri Moeller (drums); Glenn Slater (keyboards).

Name Vars

Walkabouts

Members

Carla Torgerson
Fred Chalenor
Chris Eckman
Terri Moeller
Joe Skyward
Glenn Slater
Bruce Wirth
Michael Wells
Grant Eckman
John Baker Saunders

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a cool fact: The Walkabouts' album *New West Motel*, released in 1993, is like a musical melting pot. It blends genres like Alternative Rock, Country Rock, and even Alternative Country-Rock, creating a sound that feels both raw and polished. What’s fascinating is how the band used such a wide range of instruments—mandolin, steel guitar, vibraphone, and even accordion—to craft their unique vibe. And get this: the same person, Michael Wells, played both bass and harmonica, while Terri Moeller handled drums, percussion, and backing vocals. The album was released in multiple countries, from Germany to Greece, showing just how universal its appeal was. Plus, it was produced by Ed Brooks, who also worked as the engineer, ensuring every detail was just right. Not bad for an indie rock record!