MOLICE - Doctor Ray

In November of 2008, MOLICE released their first full length album, Doctor Ray. Active for just a year before its release, MOLICE fans highly anticipated this album.

White Vertigo might remind listeners a bit of The Beach Boys. Rinko sings through a filter which echoes her voice, giving the song a very old feel. The song lacks bass, and though the background vocals mimic her, it adds very little to the overall track. Lacking a formal chorus with several instrumentals, the song is a bit dry.

Dear Change and HOLE! are both a change in era with 90's noise. The lyrics are hard to understand on both tracks as the vocals change from cries to croons intermittently and squeaky background vocals thread the songs. Both songs harp on the guitar and drums, and they do have some good solos, but both are fairly long with too many repeated lyrics for their own good. The song Billi Billi is much like HOLE! with way too much of the same. Repeated words do not make a good lyrical scheme, and this track's only saving grace is its dark sound and interesting instrumental beat.

Headphone is a dance mania song. Good vocals and a good beat keep it from being redundant or boring. It is impossible to sit still during this song because the music will keep your toes tapping. A very short song with a tremendous amount of instrumentals, it's a great filler track that adds to the overall CD.

The next track, Pretty Sound, is a pretty good song! Despite its redundant sound, it has a catchy beat that you can move around to. While the vocals are much of the same, with the filtered echo and background singers, this song is one that can be appreciated. Pale Wind is a give-and-take track, with a good slow opening, elegant sounding vocals and proper stanzas building up for a chorus. However, the chorus brings us to a grinding halt when the song is disrupted and its sophistication removed. Ignoring that flaw, the song is one that is definitely enjoyable.

The CD was made for the song Ms. Panic, and this track is the one that makes the entire CD worth it. Ms. Panic is punk rock meets girl glam; it is edgy, metal and amazing. The vocals are haunting, with echoes and shouts and screams, and the delightfully whiny chorus is actually endearing. The instrumentals are extremely catchy, and though it's redundant, you will enjoy them.

With an additional four tracks, Doctor Ray gives listeners twelve tracks of new material. However, with vocalist Rinko creating all the lyrics and music, the entire album lumps together as one steady sound, despite the era changes in certain tracks.

For a band whose influences are of 90's Western bands, Doctor Ray has a very 60's and 80's feel to it. For a fan who enjoys true oldies music, this album is gold. However, if your aim is 90's glam, you might find yourself disappointed.