Album Review Momma - Household Name

On ‘Household Name,’ Brooklyn-based duo Momma - duo Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten - take the scuzzy, distortion-heavy guitar rock made famous by bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, Pavement, and The Breeders, and give it a fresh spin. Etta and Allegra’s interlaced melodies give the vocals both a haunting and yet kindred feel, capable of switching from anthemic-sounding belting to raw, vulnerable hissing in just a matter of seconds. The album plays host to 12 tracks that span pretty much everything from love, lust, loneliness, and the wonders and disillusionment that come with “fame” – whatever that really means. Throughout, the pair are unafraid to be earnest and tender in their lyrics, and the openness of their yearning, lust, and chagrin never feels stale - they seem to make having feelings something that actually feels - whisper it - cool.

Distorted guitars and fuzzed-out grunge dominate, from “putting the pedal to the metal” on the road trip-worthy ‘Speeding 72’; the sensual ‘Medicine’, and the lovelorn ‘Lucky,’ a ballad about wanting to be near the person you love most when they’re far away. Momma’s brand of sensitive, guitar-driven alt-rock is the perfect listen for when you’re either deep in the throes of love or still nursing heartbreak - just hit the gas and join them for the ride.