Moi Caprice Reviews

Moi Caprice - "Once Upon A Time In The North"

Review by Indiepop Spinzone - www.indiespinzone.com

Before we get to reviewing this band's new album we'll look back to their debut album, both of which are featured in our Popsicle shop (and not generally available any place else). This album is so good, even Luke got hooked on it. Their lead singer at times reminding me perhaps of Ian Broudie of Lightning Seeds fame, on clips like Daisies but then at other times not. What is obvious is he imparts a lot of emotion in a delicate way but with a lot of buried remorse and angst. That comes across on songs like the opener The Only Happy Boy In Copenhagen but especially so on Riding In Cars With Girls which is without question the most addictive, and beautiful cut I have heard all year. It sounds and enchants like a pop fairytale, pulling you into a cocoon of delight (and it even has a French horn). The odd part is the song is wicked lyrically and is the ultimate revenge story of a poor boy who's been done wrong by his girlfriend. But the delights don't end there, as we are treated on the very next track Artboy Meets Artgirl to a soaring, horn laden late 80's Britpop sounding entrance and a really catchy song with a lot of intelligent music accents. Had I heard this two years ago as I should have, it would have made my top 10 list easily. Simply an album you cannot be without and don't hesitate with your purchase, as I don't know how long we will be able to supply you with them.

Hip-ometer Rating ~ 10+
Label ~ Glorious Records, 10 Tracks, 2003

Moi Caprice - "You Can't Say No Forever"

Review by Indiepop Spinzone - www.indiespinzone.com

This is the new and second long player from this Danish band, and it marks not a slight departure from the, well tender strains of their debut. The guitars thump a little louder. The synths bite. There is an edge. There is also more of a Euro disco feel as well. It may perhaps be a bit trite saying it, but "grown up" is the expression that most comes to mind when thinking about it. That doesn't necessarily make it better or worse, but it does make both albums two entirely different flavours. Since my mood has been a bit black and languid lately, I have preferred the first album a little more, as the upbeat, rocking energy on display here has not augmented my dyspepsia. Still, this is an excellent outing which displays some nice growth, and in all likelihood when my mood changes this winter I will put this on and quite possibly prefer it more than their first. Not to imply this does not have the tender moments of the first, as it does. It just shall we say wears more makup when having them. All in all a solid follow up that shows the debut was not a fluke or them a one time wonder. I think their third album should be quite the corker and until then you should avail yourself at the chance to get both of their offerings to date, as you won't be sorry you did so.

Hip-ometer Rating ~ 9.3
Label ~ Glorious Records, 10 Tracks, 2005

Reviews:: Moi Caprice The Art of Kissing Properly

Review from Herohill - www.herohill.com

“If you said let’s go to Paris, that’s what we would do.” As Møller sings out these words on The Town and the City, I decided the new Moi Caprice disc would be a nice addition to the e-pages of herohill. I'm leaving London and hitting Paris in a few hours and since the band just got through a successful appearance at the Canadian Music Week, I think they've earned it.

The Danish four-piece borrows liberally from a few sources - For Once In Your Life Try To Fight For Something You Believe In sounds like it could have been penned by the Flaming Lips - but does so in a very enjoyable manner. You keep asking yourself, "Who does this sound like?"

But, to be fair, instead of sounding like they are trying really hard to be taken too seriously by critics, the album comes off as a nice slice of dreamy pop that could fit nicely into countless movies or ipods.

The acoustic guitar, drums and retro synth that backs The Art of Kissing Properly takes you back to the 80s, but the band uses new tricks to help the songs impress the most pessimistic listener. The Town and the City paints a grandiose landscape which will float effortlessly through your headphones. The same can be said about I Hate The Place, But I Go There To See You. The staccato piano chorus is a nice break from the slow meander the band seems most comfortable to walk at.

I’d almost say that the band doesn’t do anything overly complex, but the success of the songs shows that they have obviously found the formula lots of bands would kill for. The tracks rise and fall nicely, adding significance and purpose. The nice bass line on Wish You Were Her is a head nodder and the track flows seamlessly from note to note. It’s an undoubtedly European sound, which is why I probably gravitate to it.

The quartest understands tempo and uses ballads, like the 2-minute slow down on Stranger than Fiction to keep the record from falling into a soundtrack for an indie movie or a car commercial. That being said, the slowed down vibe of The Reinvention of Simple Math is the kind of song movie folk love. Slow verses that build into a crashing chorus – you can almost hear Ashton Kutcher telling Kevin Costner he won’t let him go!

The record starts to fizzle a bit at the end as the songs start to blend together, but it never gets boring. From start to finish it’s enjoyable, though the songs are probably best when they come up on random during your day. But with the amount of records that are backed by one good song, you could do a lot worse than picking up a record that is, at its worst, completely listenable, and at its best, when the moment is completely right, it’s breathtaking.

Posted by ack on Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 6:31 AM

moi Caprice - The Art of Kissing Properly

Review from Own This Music - ownthismusic.com
Written by The Architect
Saturday, 08 September 2007

The band proclaims their influences as The Smiths, Go Betweens, The Cure, The Flaming Lips and much more. All bands that are etched into the consciousness of indie/alternative music fans. This year 2006 seems to be a year of changing of the old guards of "Modern Rock", "Alternative" or "Indie" music. This year has revealed that new bands or relatively new bands are capable of putting out albums that engage the listener like those by the aforementioned artists. moi Caprice is one such band who is not afraid to place their emotions before you. There is certain ache in the singer's voice which will attract many. The attraction to this type of music has always been based on the sheer love of sweeping bitter sweet melodies, dark undertones, witty lyrics, splendid songwriting and the joyous misery of listening. The Smiths were the forerunners of this, and we thank them for it. This is European pop music at its finest. We wish it could be available easily outside of Denmark.

Recommended for listeners of: Pet Shop Boys, The Smiths, Flaming Lips, Alphaville, Kent, Mew, Poor Rich Ones, The Cure, The Go Betweens, Shout Out Louds, The Mary Onettes, felt, A-Ha, Morrissey, Coldplay, Keane, Travis, Thirteen Senses, Elbow, Editors, Interpol.

Release Date: 13th November, 2006
Label / Distributor: Glorious Records
Performers: Michael Møller (vocal, synth), David Brunsgaard (guitar), Christian Hillesø (drums), Jakob Millung (bass)
Production and Engineering: Gareth Jones, Jeff Knowler (separate sessions)

Track Review

1. The Art Of Kissing Properly
A brilliant slow burner to open the album. Lovely acoustic guitars overlay typically European keyboards. Imagine hearing any great song on a rainy morning driving home or a thundering Sunday evening and this song will match the mood.

2. The Town And The City
You may want to go Paris and speak French after listening to this. The song starts off with really weird effects on the keyboards. It then reveals itself on a motorway. An extremely catchy and beautifully written song with excellent arrangements. Sounds like early Pet Shop Boys or Alphaville musically. The lyrics actually are reminiscent of Go Betweens. A melodic pop record that is hard to beat in the year 2006.

3. For Once In Your Life Try To Fight For Something You Believe In
Reminiscent of a Flaming Lips song off the Yoshimi album. The vocals are almost a replica of Wayne Coyne. Slide guitars starts this song. The band proves they are very capable of doing vocal harmony backups on this track. There is actually a rock and roll type guitar solo on this track overlaid by the harmony backups. The outro is just brilliant. You may find yourself asking if this is another track. It is a subtle but noticeable shift. The vocals now change to a hybrid of Morrissey and Grant McLennan. If you loved how Golden Brown by The Stranglers end, you will love this.

4. A Supplement To Sunshine
The song starts with delicate piano and keys shimmering guitars over repetitive bass and drums. When Michael Møller sings he invites you into his home, drunkens you and asks you to listen to some of his favorite records. The vocals are done in an almost Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) way. The harmony backups on this track are worth every second.

5. Wish You Were Her
The ultimate driving song for the year 2006. This is another class track that you will want to hear over and over again. A melodic masterpiece. The thumping bass at the beginning prepares you but not really. The thing about great songs is that the verse is sometimes better than the chorus. This is such a track. The chorus is almost an anti-climax but a beautiful shift to a slower dryer tone. The harmonica and slide guitars on this song are exceptional. It transports to a place where you wish you could hear this song non-stop.

6. Stranger Than Fiction
A twinkling piano. This is probably the slowest track on the album. It could be a filler, considering it's just over two (2) minutes long, but it's not. Nothing special but the simplistic approach so perfectly executed. A good attempt at a ballad as they kept it short and sweet. It makes me miss all the simplistic things in life we forget sometimes.

7. The Reinvention Of Simple Math
Drama captured in song is how this track can be described. The falsetto and slide guitar in the middle are the highlights of this song, no doubt about this. This song seems to be the band in their natural state without the 'burden of influences'. "The soft touch of rain washed away the champagne..."

8. I Hate The Place, But I Go There To See You
Probably the weakest track on the album for the repetitive singing of the title. Outside of their attempt at a chorus here, the song is worth having on the record. Flaming Lips is glistening all over this song as well.

9. Drama Queen
The song is another tribute to the Go Betweens. The falsetto when he sings Drama Queen is way above what Grant could sing but it comes off really well, despite the almost 'cheesy' and just almost use of "Drama Queen".

10. They´re Spies, Aren´t They
A lush dreamy track with new britpop keyboards. It dips into almost Curish territory guitars in a very minimalistic way. Is this a love song you will ask, maybe not. The vocals on this song are very similar to Poor Rich Ones.

11. Down By The River
Michael Møller can sing with an ache as anyone you will hear in modern music. One of the top melodic numbers on the album. A real "wall of sound" track with millions of layers all blending into one at the end. The ripping guitars makes you want them to be louder in the mix. The effects on the vocals probably is the biggest fault on this song and that isn't much to talk about.

Why We Recommend This?
You can tell from listening to this record moi Caprice has exquisite taste in music and Michael Møller has studied at the altar of some great vocalists. Make your verses as good as your chorus is a theme of this record. Musically, this record shows you all the colors and so much more, with well layered textures and almost aching melodies. If you are looking for a record that will take you away from the doldrums of life, this is one such. One of the best releases of 2006 without a doubt... For Once In Your Life, Try To Fight For Something You Believe In... It cannot wait.