It should be shameful for a critic to review something about which he or she knows nothing. Listening to and writing about Momo isn't quite like that, but it comes close.

The music is crunchy modern rock, heavy on melody. Lead singer and songwriter Annika Ovefelt has a voice that does not allow passive listening. Her pipes show a lot of strength on "Sagan om en liten narsynt man," holding her own against a violin as it reaches higher and higher notes. "Mysterium" a great ballad, conveys a heartfelt quality lacking in most music of this style. Several tracks, both rocking and mellow, also implement strings and winds. The one misfire, "Idiot," starts out jazzy before turning into a run-of-the-mill punk track, but the rest of the album makes up for it.

So how does reviewing this CD approach shame? While it's easy to tell that the music is first-rate, the lyrics will remain indecipherable to anyone who cannot read Swedish. Regrettably, I personally can't tell how Ovefelt can write. Still, if she can pen words like she can play hooks, this album could inspire anyone to learn a new language.

Tommy Jolly 11/21/99

Momo gives us a musical smorgasbord in this self titled project, built around  the songwriting and vocals of Annika Ovefelt.  Even in individual songs, Ovefelt easily changes the styles and pace of the sound to make each cut distinctive and exciting.  From jazz to grunge, to alterna pop to emo she spins, folds and mutilates the listener in a most delightful way. The addition of flutes and violin add some wonderful spices to the music.

The only complaint is one of ignorance of the language by the reviewer.

Sam Hagedorn 11/22/99