Malmo, Sweden's Moonbabies, who are Carina Johansson and Ola Frick, play a combination of indie pop, rock, psychedelic rock, and electronic experimentation, sometimes all in the same song. The band mixes up their styles, often following a pop song by a more experimental track, and so it's easy to repeat this entire album and find something new. Combine lovely male and female vocals, and you get a stellar release.

Most of these songs are pure pop bliss. "I'm Insane But So Are You" combines male and female vocals with a light, almost jangly pop quality. And after starting with a lovely, tinkling intro, the title track takes off in a textured, lush pop song that's composed of equal parts light melodies and textured rock assaults. Somehow, that mixture works perfectly. "Have You Ever Said Goodbye?" is a classic, with light, jangly guitar and thick atmospheric vocals, without a doubt the best track here. Frick's vocals are somewhat reminiscent of Bob Mould on this track. And there's elements of a more mid-90's textured rock feel to the lovely and bouncy "We're Layabouts."

Johansson's vocals are most beautiful on the quieter moments, like the lush and thick "Shining Sun," and Frick does the same on the soft rocking "Because You Can't Explain." The break into fast and frenzied rock on "My Buddy Buddy" is a bit shocking, causing me to check the CD several times, but the band is back to style on "City Walk," a much more crisp and bouncy, almost Euro-pop number. "We Still Use it In the Wrong Way" is a more rocking track, with thick guitar riffs and a Velvet Underground sort of feel.

The band also shows off their willingness to experiment, often in the introductions or some of the shorter songs. "Kissing Underwater" combines synthesized beats and noises before the atmospheric vocals and guitars transition in and the noises transition out, while "Piano Hammers" has a kind of underwater ambient feel. "Count Stars >> Be Patient" is similar yet even more moody and textured.

This album is clearly one of the best I've heard in a long time and would have been near the top of my best of 2000 list had I heard it then. The Moonbabies have proven themselves impeccable songwriters, capable of playing quiet, soft ballads and more rocking, textured songs, always tossing in dashes of experimentation. They clearly positioned themselves to be not just the best of their country but ours as well.

 - Jeff, Delusions of Adequasy

MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD

AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Sporting a sophisticated and intelligently crafted sound, the Moonbabies’ debut is an absolute modern pop success. Featuring studio-smart pop production, this Swedish duo injects electronic textures, drum loops, and various effects into the seemingly straightforward pop sensibilities. Sometimes coming off as a combination of the easygoing aesthetic of Toad the Wet Sprocket and the meticulous sheen of Garbage, this band provides a multi-pronged attack, bouncing from driving rock to moody musical interludes. As both Carina Johansson and Ola Frick share the songwriting, instrumental, and vocal duties, many sounds and moods are evoked, from the out of control (and tune) sprawl through the grungey "My Buddy Buddy" to the soft acoustic guitar coda "Winter Broken Time." Still, the majority fall in between, with Frick building many arrangements on top of his shimmering guitar hooks and using various atmospheric production tricks to create a densely enveloping sound. Overall, an impressive marriage of traditional indie pop and modern electronic production.

-Matt Fink, All Music Guide

MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD



Simply stated, the Moonbabies album, "June and Novas" is a stellar achievement of modern pop psychedelia! They permeate the disc with a surrealistic sound of images and color. Where to start? How about the vocals? Whether it is Carina or Ola taking the lead vocal, they strike a perfect balance. Plus their harmonies are especially spine tingling (see "Winter Broken Time"). Then there are the songs. The sub-title of the album is "easy pop beats & experimental electronic underwater moods". But that only scratches the surface of the musical journey inside. Both Carina & Ola write, with Carina penning most of the pop-sounding songs and Ola leaning more towards experimental tunes. But, like Lennon & McCartney, a combined diversity makes for extremely satisfying results! On this album, you have the catchy, infectious pop of "I'm Insane but So Are You" & "We're Layabouts"; the trance-like psychedelia of "June & Novas"; the experimental tunes of "Kissing Underwater" and "Piano Hammers"; the techno-psychedelia of "Count Stars Be Patient"; the punk-tinged "My Buddy Buddy". They even come close to a ballad on "Shining Sun", and new-wave pop on "City Walk". The lyrics are artsy and poetic without being pretentious. They don't always have a clear meaning, but maybe they are not supposed to. Besides, my favorite lyrics are those which are up to interpretation by the listeners anyway. As for instrumentation, the Moonbabies love of studio work has paid off. Ola's guitar work travels from delicate acoustic to biting electric. The leap from their previous indie cassettes is phenomenal! I only have one question - when can we expect the next album?!

- GPR Ear Candy Magazine

MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD



I reached a point last year where I believed every band in Sweden was fantastic. Then I started visiting the sites of Swedish groups on MP3.com and learned how wrong I was! All the same, Sweden is a country which seems to have great genes in pop and rock, and the first US release by the Moonbabies confirms this in spades. Everything that Duckweed label owner Mark Moksyzycki has hyped about this band is true: the Moonbabies, released non-exclusively through his label, are surely one of the most talented bands in the European underground scene, with strengths that go far beyond those of my long-time favorite Swedes the Acid House Kings.

The two Moonbabies, Carina Johansson (pianist/vocalist) and Ola Frick (muli-instrumentalist/vocalist), share musical characteristics with the popular Cardigans, their hearts embedded in both wistful pop ("I'm Insane But So Are You") and heavy rock ("We Still Use It In the Wrong Way"), but also in stripped-down guitar bands like the DBs ("Because You can't Explain") and Cat's Miaow. My favorite song is probably their sexy-sounding ode to laziness, "We're Layabouts", a duet which has Carina sounding a lot like the Cranberries' Dolores O'Riordan. It's also a song that helps highlight one of my favorite things about this band: they're not only diverse in the normal way (slow songs, fast songs, mid-tempo material), but sound like a different band each time they come to the plate. If I were to compare Carina's voice on each track of this record, I bet I'd come up with the name of a different female singer each time. The same goes for Ola, who is Richard Thompson (in "I'm Insane") on some occasions and a hybrid of late-period Sarah Records artists later on.

While I'm not entirely sure the occasional walks through the land of grunginess ("My Buddy Buddy") work in their favor -- sometimes, I felt like I was hearing an overly eclectic mix tape -- it certainly asserts the band's reach, and will make the Moonbabies' future releases a sure bet (and a hotly-contested property) for any label interested in releasing them.

The duo's rich and accessible music definitely deserves to reap them some success, and Mark Moksyzycki really should be hired by a major label if his knack for discovering talent is always this reliable (Though for indie cred's sake, we hope he'd refuse the job -- Ed.). -- Theodore Defosse, Splendidmagazine, 31 july www.splendidmagazine.com



MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD



To Master Stockhausen and other interested parties (retired or alive): I would like to bring to your attention a couple of young artists residing in Malmo, Sweden. Ola Frick and Carina Johansson, a.k.a. the "moonbabies", deal in the trade of techno-pop with a distinct minimalist twitch. A substantial body of their work can be found on their independent release "june and novas," released by Duckweed Records.

Ever since the electronic storage of sound became its own transmission medium, the challenge for truly imaginative composers has been to expand the vocabulary accordingly. Blending acoustic sound production with electronic sound reproduction (Stockhausen's Kontakte of 1959) has become an established art form in its own right. After decades, this art form continues to evolve with some noteworthy results, and even has an iconography. Despite the common knowledge that popular music gave its blessing in the 60's with Sgt. Pepper's and Pet Sounds, both albums continue to grow in esteem.

Our young Swedes break a lot of new ground, using technology as an expressive tool. Think of how Pink Floyd took a wattage-crazed guitar and used it as the ultimate liberation of the blues. Fast forward to the angst ridden emotive of grunge power chords. Now, imagine grunge coming through your vacuum cleaner.

This is not to suggest that "june and novas" requires academic courtesy. Many of the tracs are ready for prime time, include the appealing "i'm insane but so are you" and "have you ever said goodbye." Enjoying these tunes is a bit like introducing yourself to the "kraft." A million songs start out with repetitive broken guitar chords, but to take such passages and use them as patterned layers of sonic fabric throughout the song indicates a higher level of intent. Even the fragmented title trac presents a case for the structural integrity of Norwegian wood.

Whether or not a trac contains vocals, most of the music seems to be about its creators. Carina's clear sweet voice is present in roughly half of the cuts, sometime with Ola, who is sometimes with Carina. Lyrical material bridges the gap between ecstasy and conflict, with the most noteworthy song title being "we still use it the wrong way." Quote: "and still we are two separate hearts no matter what you said I found it sleeping in our bed."

Supporting the voices and menagerie of sounds facilitated by the moonbabies is an astute ear for arrangement. The bittersweet and lovely "winter broken time" as well as other tracs employ ethereal chimes; combined with polymetric bantering between the 3's and 4's, I believe I detect the influence of musical educator and composer Karl Orff. That said, nothing more eloquently communicates a simple and true heart than the casiotone at the end of the richly textured love ballad "shining sun."

It is also the non-tonal palette that lends itself ever so effectively to communicating the adventures of Ola and Carina. Whether it's the sonic bubbles and adrenaline rush of "kissing underwater" or the compression of the uncontainable in "my buddy buddy" (the dark side of the moonbabies), full range is given to sounding the experience. For an enjoyable and expanding sonic journey, use your head phones and listen repeatedly (but with slight variation) to "june and novas."
-- Leonard Ives, Indieport, 11.19.00
www.indieport.com

MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD


"The album of the year, it's that good. Just don't be late in late in getting one of the 800 copies printed by Duckweed Records. Yet don't be suprised if its soon re-released by another label. June and Novas' 14 tracks take slightly different stylistic approaches. Although they all share the trait of superb craftmanship and bliss in it's unique and familiar songs. The Swedish Moonbabies, Carina Johansson (Pianist/Voicalist) och Ola Frick (Muliti-Instrumentalist/Vocalist) create psychedelica that uses both "Etheral dynamics" and shoegaze pop. Ola Frick's dreamy, Mould-like vocals are contrasted to the sweet and beatuiful female voice of Carina in songs like "We're Layabouts" and "I'm Insane but so are you", which hold the rare magic of creating turbulent upswings. While on their own, where only one voice is heard, the songs shine with the same fervor. Just check out the mind numbing tracks "Have you ever said goodbye?" and "Because you can't explain". Then let's not forget about the brilliant song arrangements, which have an equal share of sonic electronics and guitar hooks. Never without a second of fodder, June and Novas delivers a songwriting masterpiece."

- Nelson Ferreria, Losing Today
http://www.losingtoday.com

MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD


"We loved the Moonbabies "air>>>moon>>>stereo e.p" so much, we made it record of the issue, drooled quite obscenely over their 'ethereal dynamics', a phrase they liked so much they're using it on their promo material. We claimed that they 'salve the soul', then went away to lie down in a darkened room for several days before we were capable of listening to anything else. So what do they do? they only go and release their debut album. Fourteen lush, emotional tracks spread across Satans own format, the ceedee.

But this is so good, you're minded to sign up for several lifetimes pain and torment, just to have the opportunity to hear it once. You may have gathered that we like this. A lot. taking on the Belle & Sebastians and Cardigans at their own game, and trouncing them so remorselessly that you wonder that they dare show their faces in public ever again.

Highlights? Where to begin. "Kissing Underwater" is a bit moody, sidling into your consciousness with some understated trip hop beats. "Shining Sun" is a bit special, all Jerry Burns meets Portishead. An aside, Jerry Burns self titled album is one of the great lost gems. Buy it immediately after you buy this one. "Because You Can't Explain" is a hit single in waiting, world weary with a hint of hope hanging around the edges.

I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of albums I have played in the last five years which are as good as this. Sitting late at night on a dark summer night trying to fathom out where things went wrong and where they went right, this is what you need to be listening to."

- Stuart Hamilton, Zeitgeist zine, Scotland.
http://www.zeitgeist-scot.com/


MOONBABIES
June And Novas (CD of the month)

"To me this new psychedelia even though it's extremely clever constructed indie sound based on many things - GREAT release ! - Lord Litter

MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD





"The general opinion is probably that shoegaze pop experienced a slow and painful death quite a few years ago now. Think again fellows! The Swedish duo of Moonbabies give their best shot at digging up the corpse and carefully put the pieces of bones together to a well-functioning musical skeleton. The initial problem is that some pieces seem to be forever lost somewhere in the ground, which makes the task a lot more difficult.

To our benefit Moonbabies fill the empty spots with their own inventiveness and a sense for infectious pop melodies worth killing for. That gives the resuscitated shoegaze monster worthy and up to date aesthetics. That still doesn't prepare you for the opening I'm Insane But So Are You that I actually could see hitting the charts of decent radio stations over the world, or maybe I am just naive. Either way, that one nicely shows what is to come vocal-wise.

Ola Frick's dark almost Bob Mould-like vocals are juxtaposed to the smooth and seductive voice of Carina Johansson. The consistently pretty vocal harmonies are equally flavored with marching electronic beats and rough and jagged guitars. The slightly experimental instrumental Piano Hammers is a sure candidate for the top position with a glacially swirling melody consisting of a pool of analogue synth, xylophone and other things not recognizable.

There is nothing in the wrong spot here, everything is planned but still the outcome doesn't lack in intensity and creativity. We're Layabouts is possibly the most rocking affair bursting with corrosive intensity from Frick's clanging indie guitar attacks. Well, now when I think of it the pounding Hüsker Dü number My Buddy Buddy might be even more cleansing for your brain. It is followed by a twisted psych pop gem, which proves that there still is a life after Quasi's monumental Featuring Birds. But there is so much more in here.

There are My Bloody Valentine inspired opuses aiming for the stars while the closing Winter Broken Time brings new heights to Johansson' s talent to seduce you with nothing but her voice. If that one doesn't bring chills down your spine, I am not sure what will." - MG, Broken Face Magazine
The Broken Face magazine



MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD





(Translated): "The Malmöduo Moonbabies makes refreshing hard definable music which pendulates between widely differing styles and expressions, with the same amount of sweetness as saltness. The debut album is captivating and experimental, sometimes at the same time. This is conventionalised, but not strained popmusic.

We're Layabouts is somewhat representative, and sounds like an early version of Everything But The Girl at audition for Bob Mould shortly after he disbanded Husker Du. When the arrangements gets more detailed, your mind comes to think of new-psychedelic and experimental Ride or even Olivia Tremor Control; Moonbabies shows the same open-minded and post-modern relationship to a pop-tradition you love sufficient enough to dare turn inside out.

On both instrumentals Piano Hammers and Kissing Underwater, Ola Frick is playfully experimenting with reversed sounds and sound-defects. The later track sounds like a leakage from the dolphin central meeting-point and would easily had become an expressionless show of magnificence, but the high quality of the presentation of the music gives both of the tracks enough strength to stand as independent compositions.

But Moonbabies road to success will most likely be lead by the introducing I'm Insane But So Are You - a quite irresistible thing, which were recorded by the 4 piece live-version of the band; immediate pop, easy but not for a second a candidate for compromising, with brooding melancholy lyrics which only makes the tambourine-whipping chorus even more precious."
- Håkan Engström, Sydsvenskan 21/7/00

MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD

Why is it so that Sweden is the country if it comes to perfect pop??? Some say it already existed since ABBA won the Eurovision Contest with "Dancing Queen" and how much this theory might suck, I do agre, that Sweden is indeed a country in where you can find music as such. Reading various fanzines I already have noticed that The Moonbabies (that name alone is enough to let you fall in love!!) are a bit the darlings of the undergroundpress and now American DIY-label has released the first album by Sweden's top secret that soon will be a household name if chance is with them…. The musical world of The Moonbabies is a world in where romantic pop (from Slowdive to Fleetwood Mac, and that's said with respect) finds noisy pop (a song like "City Walk" reminded me of the noisy outbursts from "Psychocandy" by the Jesus & The Mary Chain). And to make it all complete this Swedish duo even have some shoegazing-elements in their sound…and honestly "June and novas" is the way Slowdive should have taken if they wanted a longer life then 3 albums…. Superb pop with sharp claws..like it a lot!!!!!!! - The Original Sin



MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD

(Translated): "Easy popbeats and underwater moods. That's how the Malmoduo Moonbabies describes their music. And it's very proporate description, indeed. But for a fan of melodies and strong choruses, Moonbabies' experimental side is something of a test. The obvious song-writing abilities of Ola Frick and Carina Johansson are being pushed away into a small corner while an ambitious (over)use of arrangements and sound-effects is trying to steal the show. But it's the candy you want, and in this case the candy consist of straight-forward (but strikingly personal) guitar pop songs, like "We're Layabouts", the Breeder-ish "City Walk" and the captive "we're layabouts". But of course, the best song is the intro-track "I'm insane but so are you", a divinely gifted pop-tune which makes the sky look bluer, the summer feel warmer and your life in general much easier."
- Anders Jaderup, Arbetet 14/07/2000


MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD

(Translated): "Carina Johansson and Ola Frick are girl and boyfriends, lives in Malmo, has a contract (!) with a label in Seattle and makes sweet, exciting and - very unusual popmusic. Their inspiration comes from bands like Pixies, My Bloody Valentine and Yo la tengo. The later band is mostly recognised in the feverish concentration that colours the album. The hitsong is called "I'm Insane but So Are You" and it gives you soap-bubbles in your stomach." - Johan Lindquist, Göteborgsposten 4/08/2000

MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD

"A band & debut album that demonstrates all that's wrong with the music industry - they're still unsigned, despite this album being freely available for all to hear & their talent is immense, even in this, their debut full length album. Anyone hearing this album should be immediately hooked & there's a lot to explore style-wise here, with some floaty electronic things & some more down to earth pop rock happening, fronted by one of the Swedish based duo's vocals, Carina & Ola.

There are a couple of the most stunning tracks aurally, "Piano Hammers" is a dreamy feel with a great melody running through it, as is "Kissing Underwater", which is just as the title would indicate, the title track of the album as simply constructed with more traditional instruments & vocals, while the pure joy of the distorted vocals & guitars on "My Buddy Buddy" will have many a Nirvana, Jesus & Mary Chain or Pixies' fan's heart racing in anticipation. All of this is set off by the fabulous opener "I'm Insane But So Are You" & closed out by the more introspective "Winter Broken Time". I guess it's only a matter of time before the band gain a recording contract, but in the meantime, get yourself some real enjoyment & grab the album by contacting the artists themselves." - hEARD Magazine 13/08/00

MOONBABIES
June And Novas
Duckweed Records CD

June And Novas Duckweed From the first jangle of the delightfully titled "I'm Insane But So Are You," which opens their debut album, June And Novas, it seems obvious that the Moonbabies are planning to take no prisoners when it comes to charming listeners into their camp. The song spotlights the best aspects of the band's abilities: brilliant harmonies, alternating male and female vocals (Ola Frick and Carina Johansson) and chiming guitars. These aspects, however, don't necessarily lead the way throughout the remainder of the disc. Although they're arguably the latest, greatest Swedish import, the Moonbabies shouldn't be written off as just another Swedish pop band. Not, as Seinfeld's oft-quoted line goes, that there's anything wrong with that... but the band's so stylistically varied that they can't be pigeonholed as being the next anybody, really. The band's bio uses the phrase "infectiously melodic mood pop band" to describe them, and, frankly, although a bit wordy, it's a pretty apt summary. The aforementioned opener is practically the textbook definition of "infectiously melodic," that much is certain, but they interrupt the best tracks with brief instrumental interludes featuring synthesizer loops and drum beats, a few languid, maudlin acoustic numbers, and even the occasional song that screams, "We wish we were the Pixies!" (That would be "My Buddy Buddy," for the record.) When they're good, the Moonbabies are absolutely spectacular... but their stylistic consistency leaves a great deal to be desired. That having been said, there are several pieces of several really great albums to be found within June And Novas.
- William Harris, AMPLIFIER

MOONBABIES
Air>>>Moon>>>Stereo e.p.
Moonkrack Recordings 7"


There is nothing finer than a 7" single. To me it is the ultimate art form. And here's a perfect example. Music that takes on an ethereal dynamic all of its own. You can almost touch it.

Across 4 tracks the Moonbabies stake their claim to being one of that select band of artists who salve your soul and touch you in the innermost recesses of your mind. There's hints of psychedelia, a smidgin of Love, part Moby Grape, Belle & Sebastian and even Pooka. Acoustic without ever being twee this is the Zeitgeist award winner for February 2000. One listen to "Have You Ever..." and you'll know why. - Zeitgeist 'zine, feb 2000

MOONBABIES
Air>>>Moon>>>Stereo e.p.
Moonkrack Recordings 7"

AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Flying high on their perfect pop sensibilities, this four-song EP by Moonbabies should serve as an extra look for those not wholly convinced by their debut. While "Have You Ever Said Goodbye?" was one of the standout moments of June and Novas, Frick and Johansson have apparently dipped into their reportedly extensive backlog of unreleased songs to include the excellent harmonies of "A Brand New Coat," the pensive tones of "Starlet," and the shimmering intricacies and dissonant explosives of "Slowmono."
- Matt Fink, All Music Guide

MOONBABIES
Climbing Up these Miles
Best Kept Secret
Cassette

"Sooner or later I'm going to have to restrict Best Kept Secret's access to my review time, if only to give unaligned musicians a chance, but it'll be hard to take that step if Alessandro keeps sending me such great music as this. Since their origin in the mid-nineties, Sweden's Moonbabies have evolved from MBV-inspired shoegazing to a gorgeous, melancholy pop sound more akin to Belle and Sebastian or The Cardigans.

A 24-song cassette compiled from demos released 1996-1999, Climbing Up These Miles is an excellent introduction to a magical band. Evidently out to conquer the pop world through underground saturation, Moonbabies have in four years released or appeared on nearly two dozen indie CDs and cassettes (yet remained unsigned by any allegedly "important" labels), so if you dig this -- and I bet you will -- there's plenty more to be had (at this writing, a new CD-LP, June and Novas, was out on Seattle-based Duckweed Records). A complete discography is available on the band's official web site." - Jim santo, Demouniverse Aug 2000 http://www.demouniverse.com/

MOONBABIES
Climbing Up these Miles
Best Kept Secret
Cassette

"Compiling the best of the Moonbabies' cassette releases from 1996-1999, Climbing Up These Miles provides an interesting if not always thrilling look at a young, eclectic pop band discovering the type of music it does best. Besides including demos and tracks which wound up on the recent Duckweed release June and Novas, this tape includes a moody instrumental and a number of cuts where Ola Frick (the male member of the duo) takes over on lead vocals. On Ola's tracks, the Moonbabies mix in a little New Order with a little Buffalo Springfield, and the result is not peanut butter and chocolate, though it generally works better than you'd think. After hearing June and Novas, I thought the Moonbabies might be the next big thing; should this hunch be right, then consider the flawed but ocassionally exciting Climbing Up These Miles the next big collector's item."
- TD, splendid e-zine www.splendidmagazine.com

MOONBABIES
Climbing Up these Miles
Best Kept Secret
Cassette


Moonbabies - "Climbing Up These Miles" This is proof that psychedelic rock is not only NOT dead, but can be translated effectively to present day music. The moody, "trippy" textures of this album makes it a perfect car-cassette (it didn't leave my car cassette deck for at least a month!). But, the 24 tracks on this tape date from various sessions between 1997-1999. They are fresh, without sounding retro. There ain't a dog in the bunch! My only complaint is that they don't annunciate well, so the lyrics are sometimes hard to decipher. This tape will definetely make you search out more from this Swedish rock band. " - Earcandy

MOONBABIES
Five Fresh tunes from the Moonbabies
5-track Demo


AUTOreverse: "...FIVE FRESH TUNES, which is an absolutely stunning masterpiece of gorgeous melodies and fabulously BLOODY recording technique. I mean, in some places it sounds like a damn choir of backing vocals and harmonies there's so many layers. It rules.

The fidelity is excellent, everything sounds really clear. But of course none of the recording particulars would add up to the tiniest amount of butt-lint were it not for the stunningly high quality of the songwriting. The songs have already taken up permanent residence in my brain, and they ain´t leavin' anytime soon.

"I'm Insane But So Are You" opens with multigender vocals and a great, I mean GREAT chorus. Great. "Spanish fork" is slower and has a high melody played on bass guitar- very My Bloody Valentine, that's what I'm talking about. It rules though. I love MBV, so I gotta love MOONBABIES. "Happy When Smile" is debilitatingly gorgeous, with the slightly danceable drum pattern and the instantly catchy melody. Sigh. Man, I'm in love. I know these guys hate being compared to MBV but that's tough crap for them. If it quacks and floates you gotta call it what it is. I have latched onto this tape wholesale and play it constantly; in the car, at home, at work, and it sounds good as hell everywhere. I sold my soul to the MOONBABIES." - Ian C Stewart, AUTOreverse issue 9

MOONBABIES
12 TRK DEMO 1999
self-released demo CD

"Starting off with the infectious pop sound of "June and Novas", this release from Sweden's pop underground sensation is a serious cross section of the massive library of music that the Moonbabies have to offer. The sound is guitar driven pop mixed with lead and harmony vocals by founding members Ola Frick, who has always made me think of Bob Mould, and Carina Johansson, whose sweet and smooth vocals send chills down my spine.

That consistent sound is the common thread through a variety styles that range from mellow ballads like "Wash Off", "Push" and "Winter Broken Time" to the experimental instruments "Batmobile", "Pianohammers" and "Mungo's Memories". The rest of the album is filled with soon-to-be-pop classics.

Dreamy sound effects, luscious melodies and incredible hooks have caused the Moonbabies to create quite a stir in the pop underground and will keep them there for a long time to come." - J Mundok, Gajoob Music Magazine

MOONBABIES
Olympian Heights e.p.
4-track Demo

"All of the songs on the Moonbabies' "Olympian Heights" EP have a quality of wistful yearning, both in the vocals (whose strength always betrays something deep inside that is held back) and in the guitar-oriented music (whose strength often betrays a twinge of anger or frustration). The overall touch of emotion and sadness lends a universal appeal, similar to the work of Joy Division.


"Have You Ever Said Goodbye" is a slow pop/rock song with spacey sound effects giving it a very dreamy feeling. A signature folksy guitar riff opens the song and hooks the listener from moment one. In the mid-tempo "Epileptic," Ola's Frick's deep, masculine voice is perfectly contrasted with Carina Johansson's pristine female backup vocals. The song builds to a climatic seizure of sorts, with a startling powerful guitar solo.

"Starlet" is a duet between Ola and Carina. This folk/rock song has roots in 60's psychedelica, with perhaps some Beatles references in the lyrics ("all you need is love"). "In the Banshees" is an up-tempo track reminiscent of Qkumba Zoo. Ola's echoed, soaring background vocals give the song a particularly haunting feel. If you like harmonic, introspective, catchy dreampop with substance, Moonbabies is a sure bet." - Craig Conley, The Kettle Black

MOONBABIES
12- Track Demo + Five Fresh Tunes from the...

"With this release, the last great shoegaze band of the millennium proves once and for all that they are much, MUCH more than that. From the very first song, "June &Novas" (a disorienting, yet sweet, techno-pop song that suggests Rebublica with a hundred more I.Q. points), Moonbabies push the boundaries of their sound, while still sounding like themselves.

"Fall"´s shaggy acoustic guitar playing and distorted, tentative singing answers the musical question "What would Blonde Redhead sound like playing country?" "Pianohammers" is an instrumental driven by a rhythm section consisting entirely of raindrops, but on the breakbeat-saturated instrumental "Batmobile" (which would serve as a great backdrop for a menacing action movie), the guitars are ran through so many effects pedals that they themselves sound like raindrops!

On this release, we get to hear a number of songs written solely by singer/keyboardist Carina, and she proves herself to be Ola´s equal with "City Walk", a danceable Farfisa-fied song that brings to mind a less spastic B-52´s , and "Push", which sounds like "Alien Lanes"-era Guided by Voices with a drum machine. Ola´s rendition of "Hey Mr. Rain" has got to be the best Velvet Underground cover I´ve ever heard; the backwards cellos on one speaker and the dripping water on the other speaker make listening to it a sublime headphone experience.

The last five songs are taken from their recent "Five Fresh Tunes" E.P., and (for the most part) they showcase a less experimental, more radio-friendly side of the Moonbabies; if the world had any justice, "I´m Insane But So Are You" and the slow, soothing "Spanish Fork" would win over Lilith Fair fanatics the world over.

The Moonbabies sell themselves short by calling this release a "demo", because these seventeen songs sound pristine just the way they are; no "lo-fi" aesthetics or untapped potential here. This is one of the best albums I´ve heard all year. RATING: 9 out of 10" - Sean Padilla, Too Broke Too Rock #2

MOONBABIES
Five Fresh tunes from the Moonbabies
5-track Demo

"J's found himself a new tape to play over and over and over again! I'm getting ready to burn me a CD of this cassette release because I know I'm going to wear it out and I don't want to have to ask for another. Hailing from Sweden, The Moonbabies are the product of a duo formed by Ola Frick (vocals, guitars) and Carina Johansson (vocals, polyorgan).

A few demos and couple years later they added bassist Henrik Thorn and drummer Thomas Lundberg to create some of the most infectious melodic mood pop I've heard...ever...period. The opening track "I'm Insane But So Are You" features Frick and Johansson's vocal harmonies that go together like peanut butter and jelly on a sunny summer afternoon. The music is the milk! The rest of the tracks mainly feature Fricks voice (which absolutely rocks in a Bob Mould kinda way) but I'd like to hear more harmony between the two. Excellent musicians, excellent music...I want to move to Sweden." - J Mundok, The Kettle Black ´zine

MOONBABIES
Sweet Morning Themesongs 1996-99
Tangerine Tapes 16-track Cassette

"In a word, yummy! Not descriptive enough for you? How about this: FUCKING AWESOME guitar-driven tunes with pretty vocal harmonies and bad-ass bass playin'. Folky pop with some 60's psychedelic retro stuff thrown in for fun. Even the gloomy songs are too incredible to make you really sad. Anyone who doesn't love MOONBABIES is just stupid. I love this album so much I just might marry it." Michelle Nollan, AUTOreverse issue 9

MOONBABIES
Sweet Morning Themesongs 1996-99
Tangerine Tapes 16-track Cassette

"The band has perfected their marriage of dissonance and sonic invention with traditional pop melodies. This particular tape is one of the best I've heard in a long time, the cooing male/female vocals, the machine-gun drums, and sidewinding guitars giving me a pretty impressive boner (metaphorically speaking, of course)" - Speeder

Misc Quotes from the swedish press:

"...Underbara gitarrodysséer i ett bedövande vackert poplandskap" - Jönköpingsposten 10/9-98

"...Vackra popmelodier med fula och trasiga maskinljud. Fångar intresset vid första genomlyssningen men växer med varje lyssning" - Lotta Jansson, Release 1/98

" Jag hade inga förväntningar som helst på Moonbabies, men jag inser att de borde få nå till en större publik. En publik som antagligen innehåller åhörare från femton upp till fyrtio. Skivbolagsfolk och fä - ge Moonbabies en chans!"
- Nicke Boström, ettnollett # 31

"Det bor flera härliga melodier i gruppen på ytan ruffiga och bullriga stil, melodier som skvallrar om konstfull eftertänksamhet och sinne för detaljer." - Jörgen Olsson, Arbetet 6/2/00

"Atmosfäriskt och drömskt, utan att vara sövande. I de ögonblick Ola Frick och Carina Johansson låter sina sångröster samsas om utrymmet, vilket är vanligt, låter de mer än lovande" - Thorbjörn Thorsén, SA # 40

"Mollbetonat, men jag blir på bra humör ändå"
- Per Johansson SA # 35

"Det är deras drömska, bomullsmjukastil jag fastnat för"
- Helena Jönsson, Musikjournalen pop


"...De visar prov på härligt mystiska stämningar och sköna gitarrmattor"
- Magnus Kvist, SA #38