After releasing a slew of demo EPs, the two year old band Molice released their first full-length album unto the world in late 2008. Written entirely by the band's front woman and co-guitarist Rinko, Doctor Ray is both a solid and bold first step.
The album opens with the 1-2 punch of "White Vertigo" and "Headphone." Both establish the band's upbeat, dreamy and slightly retro-rock moods. "Headphone" is an easy candidate for the album's hit single, with a constant groove that's sure to bring down the house at any live gigs.
Headphone
Hit the jump for the rest!
White Vertigo
A batch of slower, dark songs follow. "Dear Change" brings an air of something slinky and dangerous laying in wait just underneath its smoky atmosphere. "Love Song" is indeed more sunny and charming, with a soft melody and muted drums.
Love Song
"Pop" is another big crowd pleaser, with "Yeah yeah pop!" repeated over a brash surf-rock guitar solos and slightly distorted drums. The album really takes off from there, with more echos of other raw yet melodic indie rockers like Noodles or Toddle. "Superb Space," "Bili-Bili" and "Hole!" are a trifecta of infectiously poppy choruses and irresistible hooks.
Bili-Bili
Hole! (Live)
The album ends with more muzzy, melancholy pop, perfect for a dingy underground club on a rainy night. Both "Pretty Sound" and "IN the Light" are stripped down to post-punk, almost goth levels of urgent guitar playing over some pretty sounds indeed.
Pretty Sound
Doctor Ray is a solid debut album from a very promising new band. It has a few of the hallmarks of a scrapped together first project, but also sounds absolutely pro where it counts most, namely the songwriting. All of the songs are catchy without being overly poppy, fun while still maintaining a dark air. It will be great to see what Molice does next.
Album Review: Molice - Doctor Ray
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2 comments:
the molice!
very a solid sender.
I ran across the 2nd EP by the precursor band to these guys, チャイナチョップ (China Chop), when I was visiting Tokyo in 2002, and immediately decided I had to get everything else I could find by them. They were a really enjoyable garage / noisy indie pop band then, and the Molice seem to continue in that vein. I'm happy to see Rinko and Yuzuru getting some (belated) attention.
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