One of the more memorable things about Moloko are their music videos - or more specifically, music videos featuring
Roisin Murphy dancing.
Moloko - made up of Irish-born singer Roisin Murphy and English instrumentalist and composer Mark Brydon - formed in 1995 after meeting at a party in Sheffield, where Murphy approached Brydon with the now famous chat-up line: "Do you like my tight sweater, see how it fits my body."
Part of the line later became the title of the duo's first album. The band enjoyed moderate commercial and critical success with its first two albums, noted for their eclectic array of music styles and influences. Brydon and Murphy also became a couple away from the public spotlight.
But it was a Boris Dlugosch remix of the band's song
Sing It Back which brought Moloko to mainstream attention. The remix, a huge club hit in 1999, was noted as much for its infectiousness as it was for the now famous music video featuring Murphy in a glittery silver flapper dress dancing under psychedlic lighting.
The group's next album - 2000's
Things to Make and Do was noted for Murphy's astounding vocals as well as Brydon's brilliant arrangements.
It spawned a number of hits, including
The Time Is Now (which featured a memorable opening bass line)
Pure Pleasure Seeker and
Indigo.
However by the time the band released its follow-up album
Statues in 2005, the "personal partnership' between Brydon and Murphy had broken down.
What resulted was an album which, in places, was heartbreakingly raw in chronicling the breakdown of a romantic relationship. Underneath the upbeat
Familiar Feeling (accompanied by a stunning video) is a wistfulness, emphasised by the folk music tinged arrangement and Murphy's vocal performance.
The
title track itself is one of the more heartbreaking songs about breaking up. The album's closing track -
Over and Over - is noted for its string arrangement and confirmation that the pair's relationship was, indeed, over.
Of the song, Brydon said: "There was no compromise with 'Over & Over'...We all felt it should be allowed to be what it is."
The band toured to promote the album, and then parted ways to pursue solo interests. A compilation album,
Catalogue, was released in 2006.
Nice post.
posted by danny the boy at 2:17 PM on November 29, 2012