Wonderworld Iowa

Wonderworld

Mollys Yes

Republic / Universal Records, 1999

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 12/28/1999

It's interesting to hear how some bands have had more of an influence on the music scene than anyone could ever have imagined.

Consider, for a moment, the band Mollys Yes. Ed Goggin and crew's debut release Wonderworld. As charming as the 12 songs on this disc are, one can't help but think as the songs blare from the speakers, "These guys owe a big debt to Live."

Indeed, there are enough similarities in the musical style to suspect that Mollys Yes - vocalist/keyboardist Goggin, bassist/vocalist Brad Mitcho, guitarist/vocalist Mac Ross and drummer Scott Taylor -- were more than a little influenced by the rockier aspects of groups like Live. But they also are able to establish their own identity off the bat -- and while they have a little difficulty maintaining that level of energy, their first effort proves to be a solid one.

One need look no further than the disc's opening track "Fall Down" as proof of this; the use of bagpipes in the opening and closing stanzas of the song alert the listener to the fact that they're about to hear something they're probably not prepared for. Fortunately, the surprise turns out to be a pleasant one, as Goggin and crew remind people why rock is supposed to be fun to listen to.