The Moles’ ‘Code Word’ Reviewed By Dagger Zine

Wow, Aussie expat Richard Davies (who’s been living in Massachusetts for years) is back with a new Moles record.  The Moles fabulous debut, Untune the Sky was a revelation for me when I heard it back in the mid-90’s as was his next project, the great Cardinal (with Eric Matthews). This time he’s back with a record as varied and disparate as anything he’s ever done. However despite having several different Moles lines up (Austin, NYC, Detroit, Mexico City and two in Massachusetts, Somerville and Easthampton, for all of the different lineups that recorded the record). Honestly, he doesn’t sound like he’s lost a step as the songs are rough and nimble, bumping up against each other  and then waltzing down the aisle (don’t mind if I do).  Opening cut “Moon in the Daytime” chugs along with some real panache while “Delicate,” despite its title, shows a more garagey side of the band with a rawer sound and “Queen Anne” is as off-kilter as anything Davies has ever done (as is the title track). Elsewhere don’t miss the uke-soaked “Riptide” or the odd, choppier “Punk On All Four Tracks” and the Soft Boys-esque “Prison Girls” as well.  There’s even a song called “Richard Davies 6.0”) and that final song “Gudbuy T’ Jane” which is just awesome. I’m not sure if Davies has been working on these songs since the last Moles record or if he whipped this batch in the past year or so but it’s a mostly terrific batch of songs birthed as only they could be by their enigmatic creator. Hail Sir Richard (or at least buy him a coffee the next time you happen to see him). www.supersecretrecords.com