YOURZ
Roisin Murphy is responsible for the vocals for some of the smartest dance music I'd ever heard when she was part of the duo, Moloko. I'm not a big dance music fan but really liked what they did.
I was hoping Roisin would continue in this vein and, for the most part, she has done. Elevating dance above the standard 'doof-doof' to something more is always going to be a hard ask but in Overpowered, she seems to have done it.
But this is what I would definitely term 'girl' music. It's great to play loud and dance about to, if so inclined, but it doesn't feed my inner-caveman and he's always hungry. Thankfully, this is also the sort of music that inspires Mine while she is cooking. The outer caveman is very thankful for this, let me tell ya.
Gripe time: what is it with tiny credit lists. I know CD sleeves are small and sometimes, an artist has a lot of people to give credit to. For trainspotters like me, however, using 2 point font means, short of buying a magnifying glass, I have no chance of reading them. Ms Murphy is most certainly not alone in doing this.
VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN
MINE
I was a fan from her Moloko days, so buying this album wasn't a stretch for me. It's one of my kitchen CDs - I like to play it when I'm on a cooking binge, as its danceability helps bounce me around through the gruelling bits, plus it's not so deep it distracts me. Kitchen music needs to be either danceable or singable - light or super-familiar. There's a CD shelf in the kitchen which usually holds a few compilations (the variety keeps me hopping) plus some big-ass songstresses like Ella Fitzgerald and Dusty Springfield.
While I was doing a bit of research for this post, I was surprised to see her dissing Lady GaGa for copying her looks. But then Roisin's always had her own wild fashion style, and if GaGa did copy it I'd think it'd be more of an homage rather than a straight lift. I guess I just don't like to see female artists catting it up. I prefer Overpowered to The Fame Monster, anyway.
VERDICT: TURN IT UP (But careful if you're dancing while holding sharp knives!)
For more information: http://www.myspace.com/roisinmurphy
http://roisinmurphy.blogspot.com/2009/08/stop-press-roisin-speaks-out.html
ReplyDeleteSTOP PRESS! WHEN SHOULDER PADS CLASH!!: As far as I was concerned I was doing a short interview to promote, 'I'm Every Woman' a Charity record for ACTION AID and ended up getting myself into a tabloid trap. As the press are inclined to do, they have taken some comments I made completely out of context and completely fabricated others.
I NEVER said 'Lady Gaga is a poor imitation of me' That was a completely made up quote. I respect Lady Gaga's work as an artist and as a fellow fashion icon. She is a very talented performer, playing the piano, singing live and dancing too. I Don't Care about Shoulder pads! Not every female artist needs to be at odds with their contemporaries - I prefer to focus on the wonderful things happening in my life, which are plentiful.
I am a very honest person (which can often be problematic when it comes to doing press) but I am not a bitchy person. All the best to Lady Gaga - she is fantastic.
Thanks for the link. I really like the idea behind your blog. I've never heard this album so can't tick any box. I've reciprocated the linkage.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, thanks for your tip-off and what a great unofficial Roisin blog. One day I will learn how to do all the proper bits in her name - at the moment I am somewhat of a noob with the html/font thingy.
ReplyDeleteAs I said, I was surprised to read the diss - and voila, it was a piece of journalistic invention. Not the first time that's happened, and I'm betting not the last. Pity the journalist didn't make the correction in the first place!
Totally turn it up!!
ReplyDeleteMine - thankyou for commenting over on my blog!
synchronicity is wierd... SCB x
P.S. GENIUS idea for a blog - I look forward to seeing the film version a la Julie and Julia... Who would you be?
Hi SCB, thanks for the lovely comment. Mine is busy cooking up a storm so I thought I'd respond on our behalf.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to pick someone to be me, it would have to be one of the good-looking, super fit, washboard-stomached young stars but one who is also humble, down-to-earth with a razor-sharp wit and the smarts of a professor because this is so totally me. Anyone less than this would not be able to play the part...
Oh, yeah, did I say they'd have to be humble? Hmm, thought I did.
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