Review MOGGS MOTEL “Moggs Motel”

Moggs Motel, the band name is very interesting. Is this an album featuring the voice of UFO – Phil Mogg? Yes, it is.

It was the year 2022 when a stroke of fate hit the singer. Suffering from a heart attack, the future suddenly became unclear. Fortunately, things turned out well and after a moment of taking a deep breath Mogg is back with Moggs Motel.

The iconic singer has been working with Tony Newton (Voodoo Six) and Neil Carter on new songs that form the tracklist of this debut. The way this project began was unusual. Mogg and Newton met at the US ambassy in London while waiting for their visas. With Newton mentioning some song ideas he had in mind, and Mogg intending to slow down a bit after the last tour with UFO, things progressed rather quickly, and with the pandemic providing unexpected extra time, the foundations for Moggs Motel were laid.

It is the lead single “Apple Pie” that is the first highlight of the album as it reflects what can be expected from this album. “Moggs Motel” contains timeless and well-crafted rock songs with one of the leading voices of rock as the centerpiece. “Apple Pie” has a somewhat darker vibe and is still a great rocker. A treat for fans of great rock music.

Prior to the release of the album, the second single “Sunny Side of Heaven” was released. This pounding track shows that Mogg is full of energy and his voice is as great as we know it from the past.
What makes “Moggs Motel” so special is the creative freedom that went into making this great album. Without any boundaries or musical obligations, the three guys just followed their hearts and souls, resulting in songs that reflect the essence of rock.

Melodic and equipped with great riffs and some edges, the album offers a great time. Whether you listen to the aforementioned songs or enjoy the pounding “Princess Bride” with its excellent guitar intro, each of these songs is a well-crafted rock anthem with an addictive factor built in. With three guys putting their ideas together, the album also reflects a versatility that adds to the flow of “Moggs Motel”. There is the darker and slower paced “Other People’s Lives”, followed by the stomping “Tinker Tailor”.

Classic rock roots make “Wrong House” grow with each listen, while “Shane” is a grooving mid-tempo rocker.

The last track on the album adds another aspect to the album. The blues-laden “Storyville” is a calmer and emotional way to end an album that is certainly going to be a highlight in 2024.

It may not be a completely new sound that makes “Moggs Motel” so exceptional. It is more the unfettered way in which the album was made, with freedom and passion being the fuel. This release has the wow factor that will stay with you for a long time.