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Founding members Etta Friedman (guitar, vocals) and Allegra Weingarten (guitar, vocals) already met in highschool and have been playing together ever since. They were joined by Aron Kobayashi Ritch (bass and producer) and Preston Fulks (drums, percussion). The first release was the mini album 'thanks come again' in 2016. So, newbys Momma are not.
The more I go into Welcome To My Blue Sky the more I'm reminded of that fantastic album from 1995, 'Eight Arms To Hold You' by Veruca Salt, only to be confronted with the fact that it's thirty years ago this year that I bought it. There's nothing like music to make me realise time is passing by. Welcome To My Blue Sky has that same optimistic view on its music while the songs themselves have that slightly downcast feel to it because of that dreamy, melancholic way of singing.
I remember a review with the two Veruca Salt ladies from that time where they lauded the producer, Bob Rock, who kept pushing them with the words: "there is another melody hidden in there" and they found it and the next one and the next one. I have no clue if Aron Kobayashi Ritch approached his fellow band members the same way. I can imagine that he has, as Welcome To My Blue Sky is filled with golden melodies on top of one another. If he did, he deserves double compliments because as a band member it is harder to push colleagues than it is for a passer by as a producer can be.
Summing up my conclusions, Welcome To My Blue Sky is a very consistent album that brings the listener energy and the will to listen to it again. After a rather subdued beginning Mommy digs in and doesn't let go until the album is over. The album is fun, is good and memorable. End of year list material? It may very well be. Only one hurdle is left to take, longevity.
Wout de Natris - van der Borght
You can listen to and order Welcome To My Blue Sky here:
https://mommaband.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-my-blue-sky
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