Customer Reviews

Universal

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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...

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.

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.

I think this CD is pretty good. Unlike other reviewers I do not feel that her voice is annoying. In fact, her voice is quite CONCRETE. Unlike Nicole (of massive attack fame), Macy Gray, or the lead singers of Morcheeba and (especially) Lamb - Moa's voice is solidly rooted within a jazzy style that doesn't seem at all forced (like Lamb or Nicole). She doesn't stay in just one range and does stray off into sounding like Kate Bush during her higher notes.

Moa's Lyrics do need work however. I also think it's because she's from Iceland and is just starting out. But look how far Bjork's lyrics have come since leaving the Sugarcubes. Not that Moa's voice is ANYTHING like Bjork's.

When I first bought Moa's CD I found myself thinking "This is what it would sound like if Shirley Bassey(History Repeating) did an entire CD with the Propellerheads." I'd rate Moa as being up there with Beth Gibbons and Morcheeba. It's been 3 weeks and I'm still sticking to that opinion.

A bit of Bjork, Portishead, and Jamiroquai rolled into one. Fast and slow beats, addictive melodies, and a unique voice to die for. Definitely not your usual, boring techno music - Moa's music is innovative! I can't wait to hear what else she comes up with.

In "Universal", Moa introduces her jazz/cabaret style vocals, along with smooth electronic grooves to create an unusual, almost Bjork-like comparison. Her lyrics are concise and to the point, and each song is clearly a new adventure. Moa's voice includes the traditional jazz vibrato combined with otherworldy tones most likely originated from her home in Iceland. "Joy and Pain" and "Can't Forget You" are wonderful techno grooves that contrast to the almost familiar disco feel of "Raining in my Heart". A definite buy for all music interests-a little something for everyone.

Moa hits a perfect chord with her debut album Universal. This icelandic chanteuse hypnotizes the listener with her unique voice and beats. Each track is great, there is no weakness in her songs. The beats are better than bjorks, and her voice offsets these beats perfectly. The best new artist of 1999!!

I actually bought this album at a 2nd hand CD store, and out of all the albums I've ever bought used without listening to. Moa- Universal has been the best purchase I have made. Moa's voice cannot be described in one word, she is a symphony of all that is deep, lost and strong. Her voice is of a nightingale singing the blues on a trip-hop record. The songs are divided into those that are solemn and upbeat. They are original and moving, almost comparible to Portishead meets Bjork meets Tricky meets Lamb meets Etta James. Though I personally enjoyed her slower in rythym songs... "Memory Cloud", "Tenderly" and "Forever", her up-beat songs such as "Toy" and "Joy & Pain" are quite wonderful. This is a great cd if you are one who appreciates strong, melancholy vocals. I just wish she'd do a damn concert in Los Angeles.

Kate Bush-Lamb-Massive Attack-Beth Gibbons-esque vocals. Unusually child-like, but nothing like Icelandic counterpart Bjork, in style or sound. Music...More tripped out Acid Jazz like as well. Kind of commonplace and catchy in some areas, interesting in others.