We’re told right away: This is not a Christmas album, however, it’s “surely a record that amplifies the thoughtful feeling of the holiday (season)”. Those telling us are the people responsible for giving us this grand mini-album from Swedish singer Moto Boy aka Oskar Humlebo, namely his label Songs I Wish I Had Written.

Can’t argue with that. ‘For Martha’’s five songs, four of which are classical pieces by among others Andrew Lloyd Webber (‘Pie Jesu’), Vladimir Vavilov (‘Ave Maria’) and Antonín Dvorák (‘Cigánské Melodie’) and the fifth a new Moto Boy composition ‘A Room Without You’, are simply a perfect match for all that is December – if we take the consumer bonanza out of the equation.

Now, I won’t claim to be an expert on classical music – or even claim that I know the originals, except perhaps ‘Ave Maria’ – but armed with his guitar and backed by Karin Frisk (violins) and Kristina Kjelldén (cello) Moto Boy shines bright on this mini-album, which sails quite different waters than his eponymous pop debut released earlier this year.

As I’ve mentioned here, it reminds me of Jeff Buckley and his rendition of ‘Corpus Christi Carol’ from the classic 1994 debut album ‘Grace’ (one album everybody should own). As Buckley, Moto Boy posses a stunningly beautiful, fragile and yet so powerful vocal that will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride. If you need an alternative to Händel’s ‘Messiah’ as your soundtrack to the holidays this is the one and you can get it HERE.

Genre: Pop/Classical
Who: Moto Boy
Album: For Martha
Label: Songs I Wish I Had Written
Year: 2008
Country: Sweden
Language: English/Other
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Recommended tracks:
Pie Jesu – A Room Without You – Ave Maria