Moa - Universal (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

Among the best albums you've never heard

Jennifer Webb | Somerville, MA United States | 08/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would hardly ever give anything five stars, but considering the number of times I've listened to this album (I got a speeding ticket because of it! Isn't that high praise?) I think it deserves such a rating. Moa's voice is not for everybody- many have and will find it annoyingly nasal. I love it, but then, I'm a fan of odd and unusual voices. Her music is a bit like Bjork in spirit, but in no other respect. It's truly a kind of electronic torch-song jazz (with touches of disco and pop). She's got more wit and verve than the rest of the dreamy electronic crowd (Morcheeba, Portishead, etc.). "Universal" is great pop; why it's not on the radio is a mystery to me. Those reviewers who have found it repetitious need to spend more time listening to what pop radio does play!"

Interesting- but Repetitious Interesting- but Repetitious

Jennifer Webb | 12/15/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a girl who likes A LOT of kinds of music and I read a review that compared this CD to Squirrel Nut Zippers, Bjork and Billie Holiday... Sounds great! I ordered it straight away! Listening to it yesterday, while I found I musically compelling and really liked her voice, the lyrics really began to irritate me. It seemed as if the nearly the whole song was a repeated chorus. The themes and words used also seemed repetitious. I think every track I switched to had the words, "Memory", "Love", or "Forget" in it. It started to drive me mad and I could hardly tell if actually HAD switched the tracks... Upon rereading the review, I noticed the reviewer also had this problem with the album, and they noted that perhaps this is because English is not her first language..."

Bought it used for under a dollar. May I have my money back

dorianh49 | Murrieta, CA USA | 01/04/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Blech. Worst. Voice. Ever. I probably paid about 50 cents for this CD used, and I regret the purchase. One of the few times Amazon's recommendations fell flat. For better music, look at Portishead's Dummy album, or Esthero's Breath From Another, or Morcheeba's Big Calm. Steer clear of Moa. Please."

Insidiously Catchy

Beketaten | Pangea | 07/02/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's amazing how much fabulous music comes out of Iceland.
This CD may be pop, but it's cool as hell and it doesn't seem to wear out.
Móa's voice is certainly unusual, and though annoying to some, I feel she's just perfect for what she's doing. It's like space-cabaret techno...if you can envision quite what I mean.
From the stellar opener "Joy & Pain" all the way to the seductive "Virtual Affair", she pounds out her vision in killer melodies and attentively trippy rhythms.
It's quite a shame how utterly overlooked this album was at the time of its release.
But even though it's out of stock, you should defniitely buy this one used. It's worth it."

4.5 STARS - Another great Icelandic talent, but where's the

Zengrrl | Denver, CO | 12/13/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What an amazing album, in my opinion. So amazing, in fact, that when I scratched the hell out of my first copy, I didn't hesitate to immediately purchase another. Now I listen to her with great regularity on my iPod.

This is jazzy Icelandic trip-hop at it's finest. Dark, chilly, and sickeningly sophisticated. And her voice - LOVE IT!!! Is it an acquired taste as some reviewers here have rather adamently insisted? - likely - think of a white, Icelandic Macy Gray on trip-hop acid and you're pretty much there. You'll probably either love it or hate it, though I don't know of anyone in my inner circle who dislikes it. Of course, good luck finding anyone who has even heard of her. What a shame that she went relatively unnoticed because I find her to be an incredible talent.

There was a song or two here that I wasn't completely wild about, but there were many that are among my rather long list of favorites including "Joy & Pain", "Toy", "Can't Forget You", "Tenderly", "Declaration", "Raining in My Heart", and "Virtual Affair".

I have been very disappointed that there hasn't been another release from her, and trust me, I've been eagerly waiting. What's the deal with her other entry on Amazon, the completely unavailable import "Cool As In Hot"? Wish I knew, because that has to be one of the most amazing album covers that I have ever seen. Oh well, even if we are never to hear from her again, at least we have this amazing little piece of genious to cling to."

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