The Motels “All Four One” 1982. While the title of the album would make it seem that this was new wave band The Motels’ fourth LP, it’s their third release (the record Apocalypso was recorded but not released because it was “too weird” – the track “Apocalypso” appears on All Four One and I can only assume it was supposed to be the title track). All Four One was the band’s most successful record with the Top 10 hit “Only the Lonely,” which went to #9 and earned The Motels’ lead singer Martha Davis an American Music Award. Also released as singles were “Mission of Mercy” which went to #23, and “Forever Mine” and “Take the L” which made it into the Hot 100 (the latter track one of my favorites from the album). Overall it’s a decent early 80′s new wave album, bit on the dark side, with some nods to the past (the sultry jazz number “Change My Mind” and the cover “He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss)” originally recorded by the Crystals in 1962. I’m particularly fond of the cover art for All Four One, all 80′s era Nagel’d stark makeup (Duran Duran’s iconic Nagel cover on Rio came out just about one month after The Motels’ LP and the same look was brought to life in the videos for Robert Palmer’s 1986 song “Addicted to Love” and “Simply Irresistible” in 1988).