After coming up a winner on his 2014 album, Physical World, Bart Davenport stuck to the formula of mixing relaxed soft rock with sophisticated '80s pop on his next transmission, 2018's Blue Motel. This time fronting a band called Bart the Bedazzled, Davenport doubles down on the smoothness and sophistication, while cutting the tempos and adding a synthy sheen to most of the songs. He and the band, plus producer/synth player Aaron M. Olson, never break a sweat as they glide through a selection of restrained ballads, gentle midtempo tracks, and lightly shimmering pop songs. Through it all, Davenport's tenderly crooned vocals are soothing and friendly, sounding as soft as a warm, encouraging hug. Fittingly, there are no sharp edges on Blue Motel, which can sometimes shift the album into the background as the synths pad along quietly, the bass plucks softly, and Davenport sings like he's under a blanket. It's mood music made for reflection and peaceful repose. Tracks like "Life Under Water" and "Single Life" are still and pretty, "Time Machine for Two" is sweetly romantic, and "Halloween by the Sea" sounds like a sparse version of vintage Prefab Sprout. Even the tracks that have a little pep in their step, like the almost strutting "What's Your Secret (Cleo)" and "Your Sorrow," move with a calm ease that doesn't break the surface. These songs give guitarist Wayne Faler a chance to shine as he unspools delicate arpeggios and chimes like a somnambulant Johnny Marr. His work on the almost rocking "Grownups" is a master class in jangle. Touches like these help keep the record from fading out of focus; so does the soulful grace of Davenport's vocals and the pleasing sweetness of the melodies. Blue Motel is the definition of a sleeper; it won't grab you on first listen, but given a chance, its subtle charms will sink in deeply and won't let go. ~ Tim Sendra, Rovi

1		Blue Motel
2		Halloween by the Sea
3		What's Your Secret (Cleo)
4		Life Under Water
5		The Amateurs
6		Your Sorrow
7		The House That Built Itself
8		Time Machine for Two
9		Single Life
10		Grownups
11		Vampire

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