molly BANG: She Caught My Fancy (A Country-ish Tribute to Ween) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

This is what the band wrote about themselves on their Bandcamp page: “We’ve been booed. We’ve been banned from establishments. We’ve emptied entire venues by the end of our first song. We are the worst band in Portland… ” In the words of Nurse Ratchet, “Those are some very challenging observations you made, Randall.” And indeed, they are. Worst band in Portland, which could mean worst overall worldwide? Nahhh. They’re actually pretty good. If you like a side dish of weirdness with your music, this is very enjoyable. After all, this is a country tribute to Ween, who were pretty “out there” musically in their own rights. If however, your idea of a good mix tape includes Achy Breaky Heart, Livin’ La Vida Loca, Macarena, and Who Let The Dogs Out?, this is a hard pass.

What is the most polarizing food? I’m going to say olives. People that like olives, like olives a lot. But people that don’t, hate them with all of their being. molly BANG are akin to olives. And I love olives, especially the Castelvetrano variety. I do have a disclosure. The original quote is attributed to Jerry Garcia talking about why people are attracted to the Grateful Dead and here is what he said, “We’re like licorice. Not everybody likes licorice, but the people who like licorice, really like licorice.”

I seem to gravitate to songs about subjects that are far from ordinary. 7 vs. 8 by Jesus Lizard, Sweetloaf by Butthole Surfers, and Yoo Doo Right by Can instantly come to mind. And songs about antidepressants also tickles my fancy. So you can imagine my joy when I heard molly BANG’s version of Zoloft for the first time. I am usually against songs that either count or spell out words. For every exception , there is a rule. The song commences with a spelling bee, “Give me that z-o-l-o-f-t.” And quite frankly, it works like a charm. It fits right in there as the rest of the song flows like a lazy river. Very profound, tongue in cheek lyrics.

Not every song is exceptionally weird or potentially off-putting. I Fell In Love Today is a very well crafted song with gorgeous vocals and spot on harmonies. molly BANG uses noise perfectly in the style of Sonic Youth or The Jesus And Mary Chain. The distortion and feedback really are extra instruments on this track. While they stayed partially true to the original, their creativity and sense of experimentation shines like a beacon.

The line, “We’re the worst band in Portland” caught my attention and the music pulled me in the rest of the way. Best or worst is a matter of opinion and I think I am a molly BANG fan. They have been doing their thing for 20 years, so they must be doing something right. I am just waiting to see them live in the Portland area. I will make alternate plans just in case they pull the plug after one song.

Listen and buy She Caught My Fancy (A Country-ish Tribute to Ween) here