Nothing can come close ....
November 29, 2012 1:44 PM   Subscribe

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.
posted by chris88 (14 comments total) 23 users marked this as a favorite
 
It was years after discovering Moloko that I first saw a photo of Roisin Murphy. Blonde and Irish was pretty much the exact opposite of what I had pictured in my head!

Nice post.
posted by danny the boy at 2:17 PM on November 29, 2012


Thanks for this! Ever since hearing Róisín Murphy's Ramalama Bang Bang a few months back, I've wanted to hear more of her stuff...didn't realize she was part of Moloko.
posted by JaredSeth at 2:18 PM on November 29, 2012 [1 favorite]


She has some cool stuff on her solo work. And with bonus subtle dancing and funky shades.
posted by palbo at 2:25 PM on November 29, 2012


It would be a shame to talk about Róisín Murphy and dancing without mentioning this.
posted by Rock Steady at 2:26 PM on November 29, 2012


I always preferred the Moloko Plus, myself, along with a little of the Ultraviolence.
posted by Mental Wimp at 2:27 PM on November 29, 2012 [3 favorites]


Also, I could never in my wildest dreams even hope to think about being possibly cool enough to use "Do you like my tight sweater, see how it fits my body" as a pickup line. Brava.
posted by Rock Steady at 2:29 PM on November 29, 2012


I always liked Fun For Me best.
posted by ErikaB at 3:13 PM on November 29, 2012 [2 favorites]


Also, I could never in my wildest dreams even hope to think about being possibly cool enough to use "Do you like my tight sweater, see how it fits my body" as a pickup line. Brava.

In the interview I read at the time of their debut, she was singing it to the room, rather than saying it to him. But I may be misrembering.
posted by Sebmojo at 3:33 PM on November 29, 2012


+1 for "Fun For Me"
posted by Hairy Lobster at 4:01 PM on November 29, 2012


Whenever I think of Moloko the first thing I think of is "Do you Like My Tight Sweater" and "Killa Buunies". Ah fun times playing that at parties in high school and college.
posted by MrBobaFett at 4:09 PM on November 29, 2012


Roisin Murphy? The Irish Kylie?
posted by acb at 6:02 PM on November 29, 2012


Thanks for this, I really don't remember any of the video clips, which is odd considering how many music video shows I used to watch.

I remember being surprised when I found out Sing It Back was by the same band that did Fun For Me.
posted by Kris10_b at 6:28 PM on November 29, 2012


'Nothing can come close' was directed by Elaine Constantine who's now filming this.
posted by niceness at 7:35 PM on November 29, 2012 [1 favorite]


I can attest to that chat up line not working for everyone.
posted by arcticseal at 8:11 AM on November 30, 2012 [1 favorite]


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