Calendar 2010 - Molice - Anime Weekend Atlanta

September 18th
Molice
Anime Weekend Atlanta

Source: Good Charamel

VIDEO: Molice "Romancer"

This is the super-cool looking new video from rock band Molice. I'm not sure there's really much going on in this plot-wise, but when it looks this good, that's probably not going to be a problem for most people.

We instead get a heaping helping of eye candy shot around what is presumably Tokyo. Each band member has a different sort of environment that they drift through while some pretty swanky type leads us through the songs lyrics in both English and Japanese. I've got to admit the I spent a lot of time looking at the type and had to watch the video a couple times to actually see what was going on. Then again graphic design and type is sort of what I do.

At any rate, this is easily the best looking video from Molice, so check it out and give your eyes something to be happy about.

VIDEO: Molice "Active Imagination" Live

Here's a new live video from Molice performing at the CAMA (Club for Art and Music Appreciation) Festival in 2010. It's a show put together to raise HIV awareness and prevention and took place in Hanoi, Vietnam. This is a new, unreleased song called "Active Imagination" that should be on their next album.

Explore the Unexplored 26

Lots of great new releases this week over on HearJapan!

First up is the slick new album from Molice. It's a bit darker than you might have expected from their previous album, but it's still super cool and fun at the same time. There's some of BBQ Chicken's back catalog, all of which is essential listening for any punk lover.

I picked out a few nice shoegazy things this week as well, Like Lily of the Valley, Plastic Girl in Closet and the more electro tinged birds melt sky.

Head on over the Explore the Unexplored 26 and check out all the new releases. You're sure to find something you'll like.

Videos of the Week: 3/15/10

Well, it certainly has been a long time since we last saw Videos of the Weeks here on the A-Z. Sorry about that. I think things will finally be ramping up, at least for the next few months. Life on the outside is getting back to normal, so let's take a look at what's been going on!

Miki Furukawa - "Saihate"


This is a new single from Miki Furukawa, fromerly of Supercar. I almost always like her poppy electro songs more than some of her more indie rock stuff, and I like this one. Both the video and the song are just a little on the bland side, but they both pretty and fun, so what's the harm? Still makes me wish Supercar were still together...

More after the jump!


Buck-Tick - "Beauty"


Much like I like Miki's electro tracks more, I like it most when Buck-Tick are doing something loud and energetic. This newest single from the band is super poppy and doesn't have much of the darkness I like in some of the other songs, but again, this gets the job done just fine.

Molice - "Pale Wind"


This is an easy-going, nostalgic sounding song from Molice's new album Catalystrock. It's a bit of a departure from their usually more high-energy stuff, but it's still super catchy. I will admit that I like the treatment of the "regular" video far more than that of the more watercolor/cell-shaded look, but to each their own!

The Brixton Academy - "See You In A Dream"



I'll be talking much more about these guys soon, but I just couldn't resist sharing this video now. Their debut album Vivid is already at the top of my "Best Japanese Albums of 2010" list. This is easily my favorite song on the album, and the video is a great compliment to it. It's very DIY, but proof that you don't need a lot of fancy tricks if you've got a simple idea.

Lookbook - "Over and Over"



This week's non-Japanese pick comes of a Minnesota bands called Lookbook. A friend of mind had a part in making it, and the song is great too!

This it for this week. Let's all hope for repeat performance next week.!

Otaku USA April 2010

Another bi-month has gone by and another fantastic issue of Otaku USA Magazine has been unleashed!

The April 2010 issue features my giant interview with indie rockers Molice. They talk a bit about their origins, their new album, the distant future and...anime? It sounds like things are really ramping up for them, so hopefully we'll be hearing more from them very soon.

I also have a review the the new An Cafe album BB Parallel World, as well as Ling Tosite Sigure's Just A Moment, my pick for album of the year (2009)!

Outside of the music section, one thing I was really excited to see was a chapter from the new Tsutomu Nihei manga Biomega I'm a big fan of his work and it's great to see something very different make it into the mainstream.

Naturally there's also an ass-load of anime, manga, figure, cosplay, video game coverage and all sorts of other odd otaku bits and pieces. If you don't see it on stands yet, keep looking! It should be out everywhere very soon.

Explore the Unexplored 11

Check out my top ten picks from the HearJapan archives on this week's Explore the Unexplored post!

This time around, some really cool stuff from Goomi, Molice and The Local Art. Oh, and there's a really interesting release from uhnelly that features a track with Mike Doughty.

But that's just the beginning. Make sure to check the full list. You're sure to discover something interesting!

Calendar '09 - Molice/Moja/Royalinserts - The Big Jugs Experience UK Tour

Dec 28-30
Molice - Moja - Royalinserts
The Big Jugs Experience UK Tour
With Bo Ningen, Elohym, and Elmor on selected dates

12/28 Windmill Brixton - http:​/​/​www.​windmillbrixton​.​co.​uk
12/29 Bull and Gate - http:​/​/​www.​bullandgate.​co.​uk
12/30 The Good ship - http:​/​/​www.​thegoodship.​co.​uk

Source: MySpace

Molice


Moja


Royalinserts

Videos of the Week 10/4/09

FLOPPY "Everything"


Starting off this week is this brand new video from chiptune masters FLOPPY. This video for "Everything" does indeed have everything any 8bit, chiptune, video game, electro-pop fan could want. Some Super Mario, some Casio keyboards, some LEGO...they manage to pack a lot in to this relatively simple video. Also, I think it might be their first official PV, but I could be wrong there. But I think I'm right.

Jump for more!



Detroit 7 "Cold Heat"


Here's the new one from Detroit 7. They've got a new album out called Black & White on the Daruma label. This video for "Cold Heat" is pretty basic, but I think it'll give you a pretty good idea of what the band is all about...namely rockin' hard!

China Chop "Jewel Story"


Here's one from China Cop, the band that would later become Molice. There's a lot going on in this one. Like, for instance, what is that rhino all about? I'm not sure, but it's a good song nevertheless.



Tsugumi from Pine AM recently made some music for a fashion show in Culver City, CA. The fashion show itself was, uh, pretty unique, and Tsugumi's awesome, arty electro soundtrack really turned it into something very cool. This is my favorite clip from the show. You can check out a few more on her blog.



And finally, you've probably heard of the Auto-Tune the News phenomenon buy now. Well, someone made what is probably going to be the high-water mark for zany Auto-Tune videos. They took some clips from Carl Sagan's Cosmos series, as well as a bit of Stephen Hawking, and created a really spin-tingly awesome song. Of course, it might help if you have a thing for Sagan's particular brand of poetic cosmology... "Not a sun rise, but a galaxy rise. A morning filled with four hundred billion suns."

Videos of the Week 8/30/09

Molice "Headphone"


Here's the new video from Molice! These guys have released a lot of videos for their debut album, but this one looks like one of the best. We don't get much other than some nice shots of the band in action, but hey, that's good enough! Obviously it's enough for the guy playing with the light switch...

More after the jump!



Abingdon Boys School "Kimi no Uta


I haven't been very enthusiastic about any of the new singles from Abingdon Boys School. It's not the the songs are good, but they seem more fit for anime than a proper rock album, and "Kimi no Uta" is, obviously, no exception. Nevertheless, I still look forward to hearing more.

3nd "SSK"


I think this is the first official video from the instrumental band 3nd. While there really isn't much going on here, I think the mood of the video really fits well with the music. It's a bit on the weird side without actually doing much. I really look forward to hearing more from these guys.

Pinky and Killers "Koi no Kisetsu"


Here's a classic for you from Pinky and Killers. It's easy to lose a lot of time watching these old clips. Watch for the mysterious floating drummer at the end!

Rather Good "Singing Kitties"


This week's off-topic video comes from the always hilarious guys at Rather Good. This singing kitties Auto-Tune track is pure genius. I LOVE the Maru snare-rush!

That's it for now. Until next week!

Videos of the Week

OK, another Sunday, another look back at a few videos that have been running though my brain lately.

First up, here's the new video from Molice for "Ms. Panic":



Check out my full Doctor Ray album review for more from those guys.

OK, hit the jump for more!



Beat Crusaders "Phantom Planet"


You may have just seen this one on my recent profile update, but I thought it was worth pointing this one out, just in case. Beat Crusaders used the level design feature of the video game Little Big Planet to made a video! Obviously it's not all directly from the game, but it's a pretty cool idea nonetheless.

Nobukazu Takemura "Sign"


Here's a really arty/strange/hypnotic video from Nobukazu Takemura. I can't believe I haven't profiled him yet! That's something I'll have to fix in the very near future.

Auranoisazzzz


In a very similar vein, here's a short animation for the glitchy experimental group Auranoisazzzz. I haven't really heard much from them, so if anyone has a lead on more info, I'd love to hear it!

Maximum the Hormone "Bikini Sports Ponchin"


Ran across this one again recently. It's one of the most crazy videos I can think of, but then would you expect any less from Maximum the Hormone?

Devo "Don't Shoot (I'm A Man)"


In the non-Japanese category, here's the brand new Devo video. I really cannot wait for their new album to finally be released.

Hikashu "Pike"


And speaking of classic arty electro new-wave, here's a classic from Hikashu. This song when on to inspire The Ventures to do a faster, instrumental surf-rock version, and that inspired Polysics to do their own version of the Ventures' version with the original lyrics put back in. Got it?

OK, that's all for this week. Got any interesting videos to share? Let the world know in the comments!

Album Review: Molice - Doctor Ray

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.

BUY MOLICE RELEASES AT CDBABY and AMAZON.JP

Molice (モリス)

Newly formed in 2007, Molice is still a relatively young band. From May of '07 to July of '08 they released four "demo" EPs, putting together their first full-length album Doctor Ray in late November 2008.

They claim The Pixies, The Doors and their namesake The Police as major influences. While The Police and The Doors might be a bit hard to hear in their music, The Pixies and other '80s and '90s garage, indie and new-wave sounds are there in full force. Shored up by more modern post-punk structures, the music that Molice produces is both as dreamy as it is jangly and intense. They have a definite low-fi feel without it sounding cheep or forced. The female fronted band channels the more playful rebel spirit of the Runaways and Bananarama just as much as the more gritty gloom of Lillies and Remains or Bloc Party.

Molice is already making inroads into the popular club circuit, as well as playing bigger, high-profile festivals like Summer Sonic. While Rinko sings mostly in Japanese, she sprinkles in enough English to appeal to a wider (i.e. Western) audience. Another interesting aspect of the band is the Rinko writes all the music and lyrics, making her not only the eye-catching front-woman, but band leader and driving force.

So far, this young band has managed to release a very solid batch of material. While their overarching theme seems to be that of a stripped-down, no-frills garage pop band, they have a lot to build on. With a little more time (and maybe more financial backing) they could easily turn into a fantastic, full bodied force.

BUY MOLICE RELEASES AT CDBABY and AMAZON.JP

Headphone



Official Site
MySpace

Members:
Rinko - Vocal - Guitar
Yuzaru Takeda - Guitar
Ikuhiro - Bass
Takashi Koyama - Drums

Albums:
Doctor Ray - 2008

Love Song


Hole! (Live)


White Vertigo


Monster (Live)


Doctor Ray Promo