Molice Catalystrock Review

image from myspace

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Molice. Their first album had lots of critical success, and yet I’ll admit to nary a listen. But that didn’t stop me from checking out their second album Catalystrock.

So don’t worry about me comparing Catalystrock to their first album. Instead I offer you a first time listener a review to an almost flawless album. I always like hearing new things, and Catalystrock is an amazing blend of surfer rock with intense overwhelming female vocals by Rinko that is a combination I haven’t really heard before.

My initial thoughts are layered vocals that ring of Puffy Amiyumi, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and more accurately of Kate Pierson of the B-52′s. Other thoughts as I listened to tracks where echoes of Nirvana, the Lemonheads, REM, the Bangles and the Go-Go’s.

So I’ve got to say I really love this. I’ve listened to the album for a good 2 weeks and it’s one of the few solid albums I’ve enjoyed this year from start to finish.

Catalystrock starts with the easily singable “Monster” before jangling into the funky “Romancer”. “Android Said” sounds like early Nirvana from the Bleach record mixed with some early Offspring, then kicks in with the surfer guitars.

My favorite track is “Monday Runs”. It is hauntingly beautiful with sounds like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and has this thick air that reminds me of the Bangles’ cover of “Hazy shade of Winter”. I don’t know what it is but this track is just so well produced, I could hear it on a continuous loop.

“Paint it Yellow” sounds straight out of an indie version of Beach Blanket Bingo, the only thing missing is Erik Von Zipper crashing the party.

“Perfect Morning” sounds like Puffy Amiyumi singing over an R.E.M. track. A great song to wake up to.

“Let’s Merge” sounds like the start of the Lemonheads’ cover of “Ms. Robinson.” And that is always a plus in my book.

“Into You” has another infectious guitar riff but enters sloppy guitars and a screetching chorus to make this not your typical late song affair. In my opinion, this is another STAND OUT track just for the noise factor to put some deserving blemishes on an extremely polished record. Molice is showing they can rock out of the norm.

“Fine Wave” has an eerie 60′s Mamma and Pappa’s vocal drive over some serious surfer guitar rock.

“Still Alive” is probably my least favorite track, but comes is a fast ramble that clocks in a short 1:35 so my complaints are minimal.

The last two tracks end the album nicely. “Praying” is a song of scales that contains a long mid break in the song, running the track to over 5 minutes of epicness. “The Haze” leaves you thinking the Mystery Machine is running outback ready to leave as the guitars and screams rise and reflect the monster chases of the Scooby Team. You know that the Molice are ending in a noisy manner that might lead to a different sound in future albums.

So what can I say except I am more that happy I bought Molice’s Catalystrock from Japanfiles.com. I highly recommend Catalystrock and give it a 9 out of 10.