Jim loves that shit!
Let me run this past you: a Ska/Punk band from Norway. Yes, you got that right. A Ska/Punk band from the birth place of Roald Dahl, A-HA, heavenly Valhalla and of course Vikings…With an album title of ‘Girls Love That Shit’ it’s easy to dismiss them as a joke band, however as with most Ska bands there is a strong musical element to the band. I assume that brass-blowers are a serious bunch, and therefore whilst others are being foolhardy, they are the ones blowing to perfection ignoring the other band member farting and wearing their pants on their heads…
The six-piece band are strangely unsigned, and I can only assume that this is because they are from Norway, a land that isn’t big on musical success historically (A-HA aside of course). First song, ‘Like Lovers Do’ is classic Ska-Punk, however dare I say they sound like a better version of Less Than Jake and Fandangle; the latter band I’ve reviewed and really like so that’s not a throwaway comment. ‘Useless But Free’ is a laidback and chilled song that shows off Seb’s vocals well. He has a great Pop/Punk voice with a slight accent that gives him that original edge. What I also love about the band is that both the guitars and the brass section are important. Too often in Ska bands the guitars take a back seat as the trumpets hog the melodies, however there seems to be musical teamwork here and not egos duelling for the listeners appreciation. ‘All Nite’ is a quick and bouncy tune that is then contrasted by the chilled reggae guitars of ‘Idaho’ that build to heavy riffs in the chorus.
If the Red Hot Chilli Peppers were a Ska band then ‘Valentine’ could well have been one of their tunes from Mother’s Milk era. With rolling tongue vocals and a more funky feel it pumps and punches a long like a AWOL pogo stick. ‘C4’ shows how quick and melodic a saxophone can be played breaking out of the norm of what we have come to expect, and the song is a fast paced anthem of a track. There is another nod at Less Than Jake in ‘Festival Fuck Fest’ that is more Punk with added Ska than the other way around. Then in ‘Familiar Ground’ the sound is a little more like another great band that I’ve reviewed Jaya The Cat, mixed with Zebrahead. Good Stuff.
There is an underlining Metal-edge to ‘For The All’ that adds another dimension, proving that there is so much more to the band than you first think. Moving for that is the cleaner sound of, ‘In The Time Of Need’ that has some great drumming, and the brass section gives us a memorable tune. There is a slight hint of the band Spunge, but again better sounding in the vocals that are in between rap and singing. ‘Summer Of Position ‘69’ could be the Ska song that Bowling For Soup would write. With saucy lyrics that fit perfectly together this is a great song. With lyrics like, “She would play rough with the guys in the schoolyard // She would ask the question and you’d answer like a retard” and “You bend her over and you put her in your mouth // Position ’69 is what it’s all about // It’s like the first sex ed, when you first get played // Like the first official magazines you found under your parents bed…” The album finishes on another high with the great mid-tempo tune ‘Swim When You Drown’.
Mollygogo are a lot better than any success that the band will get. They are the musical worlds best kept secret. My favourite band like this is Streetlight Manifesto, however whilst both bands have a similar brand of Ska/Punk with excellent music and catchy tunes, the difference between them is that Mollygogo have a sense of humour for all to see and in that respect lean more towards Reel Big Fish, with the Punk of Less Than Jake and Fandangle. This is a corker of an album. Technically their debut, I often say that in the second album bands mature and find their feet, however with ‘Girls Love That Shit’ there is very little that could be improved. In fact if pushed it would be the album title that could be improved as whilst it’s tongue-in-cheek, some people will be put off with, ‘Girls Love That Shit’. Retards, I know, but it’s the way of the world and these are the prejudices that will hold Mollygogo back as musically they are the shit, kids!