On the record: Mocca

Artist : Mocca
Album : Friends (Ffwd Records)

Indie band Mocca shows progress in this sophomore effort. While debut album My Diary, which led the band to being hailed as one of the most popular newcomers in 2003, was very cutesy wutesy and girlie, Friends shows some maturity.

The Bandung-based quartet seems to have more of a clue of the direction they want to go in on this effort.

They are no longer trapped in the cuteness concept that sounds like kid's stuff and is a bit boring, but instead are able to come up with songs that are simple yet still provide some sweetness without inducing a diabetic coma.

Still sticking with the Swedish kind of pop, with a bit of swing, the tracks are pretty catchy, opening with the acoustic guitar-based pop number On The Night Like This.

Highlights are You and Me Against the World, a tribute to AIDS activist Baby Jim Aditya, The Conversation as well as Swing It Bob! -- which features veteran singer Bob Tutupoly.

Several tracks are a bit of a snoozefest, and as a whole, the album has yet to come up with strong soul. The simplistic lines also could have done with some polishing.

Otherwise, this is a work the band can be proud of, and it seems that they will eventually come up with better creations.

-- Hera Diani