TS: Roisin Murphy (Moloko) vs. (Alison) Goldfrapp

I've been getting a little annoyed with how overrated Goldfrapp have become lately though. I think they/she rely far more on novelty press angles and gimmickry than Roisin/Moloko ever did. And her voice isn't that spectacular ffs. I think Orbital used it better, and with more atmosphere, mystery & resonance than anything she's turned her talents to in her band. That new single is weak.

My vote's for Roisin, even if what I've heard of the new record is fairly dissapointing.

Utopia is indeed a sublimely gorgeous album, though.

And "Statues" eats anything Goldfrapp ever did for breakfast, tho I like their stuff a lot.

But then Moloko finally made a perfect pop album (Statues), which Goldfrapp has yet to do (granted, Moloko is a few albums ahead).

So, yeah, Roisin.

Roisin (and Moloko) seem to have more of an affable-underdog status. Recently, people have cribbed from "Strict Machine" so blatantly ("Some Girls", "U Don't Know Me", um) that Goldfrapp almost feel like The Industry is bowing down before them and remoulding itself in their image. Which is hardly their fault, but makes them appear less colourful and against-the-grain than Moloko, and is less heartwarming than Moloko getting an album covered in cuddly toys and cross-stitch into the top 5.

Voicewise, Roisin is warmer, I think. Alison always sounds so furious which is fine and generally works within the records, but Roisin does not seem so hellbent on always doing everything absolutely on her terms, and doesn't seem to have the same aversion to sounding vulnerable/heartbreaking ("Absent Minded Friends", "Over & Over"). The Goldfrapp bits I like the least are when Alison sounds all classically-trained.

The Roisin album is the classic nonplussed-at-first, now-addicted grower.

I do heart the Frapp but "If We're In Love" is currently my favouritest song evah evah. It's as if Jill Scott asked FourTet round to fix her fridge. And it's nice to see other tracks on Ruby Blue reclaiming a little more of that legendary Moloko daftness that was a little bit lacking on Things To Make And Do.

Golly Ruby Blue is involving isn't it.

Though I haven't heard the Roisin album so could possibly change my mind there.

I liked Moloko; a lower-budget but infinitely smarter Eurythmics. Things To Make And Do in particular was a great and still overlooked (even though it sold tons) album.

Also, on a baser level: Roisin turns me on something chronic and Alison disnae.

I fondly remember an occasion in, I think, Mixmag when she was the guest reviewer for the singles column. She hated everything and commented on everyone's uselessness, to the point when it was actually kind of funny, since the transcriber kept interjecting incredulous comments.

Róisín, anyway - they trade on similar things and Róisín's better at all of them. Ruby Blue is indeed terrific, as are all the Moloko albums - both Goldfrapp albums have great moments but also lots of filler. Róisín seems a lot more willing to push the boat out in terms of image and music.

also I'm still in awe from Róisín's live Sónar set last week.

I really must check out that Ruby Blue record; no one's said a bad thing about it yet.

I sort of gave up on Moloko after I Am Not A Doctor, but I keep seeing the subsequent records cheap and this thread has made me think I should just buy the lot. Friends of mine experienced the supreme snottiness of Alison G in interview mode very early on, before the first LP was out. Goldfrapp put on a fairly grand (if cold, haha) show but I've only just remembered that I saw Moloko about 10 years ago in Manchester and they were ace.

Roisin's new single def better than Goldfrapp's. I suppose she's more 'down the pub' friendly as well. I was thinking of the 'Familiar Feelings' video yesterday and how nice it is - the bit where she's singing the song while doing her make-up in the bathroom.

But who was it who said Moloko just made them think that they existed just so Jools Holland could say "ladies and gentlemen....Moloko!"? They went more 'musical' after the first two albums, so I suppose the 'more melody' argument has some weight. I wouldn't mind her reverting back to the weirdness more now and again though.

That said, I'd still pick Goldfrapp for music. It's a tough call, but I go back to Goldfrapp albums, whereas my copy of Do You Like My Tight Sweater? rarely moves from the M-section of my CD collection. I like Roisin's solo stuff, but it hasn't really grabbed me yet. It feels a little like tasteful background music to me at the moment, but there is potential for change there.

Really? You don't have to marry her. Surely there have been loads of great rock 'cunts' down the years (Lennon/Jagger spring to mind)? Is it hard to like their music too? Salmon Rushdie has a difficult reputation but I enjoy his books. What about Picasso, Dali? Does anyone else have trouble liking the music of 'total cunts'? I don't think I do.

In other words, if the music's good enough then Larkin's Law can apply. If it's not, then there's the door (ditto Zappa, for the same reasons).

Felt Mountain was very nearly, nearly there (especially the last 2 or 3 tracks) but I kept on wishing Billy MacKenzie were alive to sing these songs instead.

you think so? I guess the big Moloko singles are, but when Róisín's off the wall - as she really, really is on the solo record - she's a lot more 'difficult' than Goldfrapp, whose glamour and kinky sex kitten thing is pretty straightforward.

I remember being confused at the time by the comparisons of Tight Sweater to Portishead - it didn't strike me as very trip-hop at all, in that it was fairly fun and bouncy throughout and really didn't draw on any blues elements at all, as opposed to eg Tricky or Portishead's bleakness. That said, Marcello is right about Things To Make And Do. Statues is very underrated too - the least weird, most straight-up disco Moloko record, and quite beguilingly epic in places ('Forever More'!).

also, there's so much other stuff surrounding Róisín that when you're confronted with her amazing jazz voice live it can be quite the shock.

I've also interviewed Roisin and it was much the same except we did our 'work' and then spent the rest of the allocated time having a drink and a smoke and discussing Sheffield people. She goes to lots of art openings and we catch up there, these days.

Music-wise I favour Goldfrapp.

Tight Sweater is very much of its time. I'd put it alongside Morcheeba's Who Can You Trust? and much of Attica Blues' stuff.

Suzy I should have guessed that you of all people would get on with Goldfrapp! ;-)

Honestly, as regards Roisin and Alison, I'm totally botherd, but would have to admit that I prefer Alison's outfits. I've never enjoyed either in an interview, and musically speaking, while I like 2 Goldfrapp singles to Moloko's 3 or four, I just like singing along to (the Pearson mixes) of the 'Frapp twosome more. OTOH, Felt Mountain is crap, so Roisin has a slight edge there, and I fully intend to check out the new album, of which I have seen one good and one bad review so far.

I would like to hear the Mum & Dad album. I will probably be listening for the flaws tho, on account of my stout Frapp defence. I think MC is OTM re the debt they owe Gary Glitter tho - I mean you never see 'Pilots (On A Star)' in the same room as 'I Love You Love' do you?!

And "Ruby Blue" is also so far album of the year, so I'm fairly comfortable in taking Roisin Murphy over Goldfrapp.

this roisin chick is soundin grrr8 today

that's because she is awesome

roisin really is leagues beyond any other chick trying to work similar territory - for some reason, despite the current surfeit of solo female electropop artists, 90% of them are really disappointing. i think it's cuz roisin's got chops and songwriting skills and genuine ambition, and neither settles for a DIY aesthetic nor dilutes the harsher elements of her vision.

well i'mvery happy to hear this

She also is one of the few people out there who seems equally invested in being weirdo out-there and accessible-relatable, so you can find something for almost anyone in her work.

i did hear this balance shining through

Overpowered holds up SO well.

omg i'm listening to it now and kind of freaking out

I heart Primitive. I love shouting out the line "I need to get you outta your Caaavve!! Man" around my house.

Roisin over Goldfrapp. I've never had the remotest desire to listen to a Goldfrapp album out of choice. That DFA mix is good tho'

otm that line is like a surge of joy

http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/music/images/roisin%20murphy.jpg

dammit

http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/music/images/roisin%20murphy.jpg

i can't find the more recent Roisin thread, but what's up with the new album?

Latest on wiki is:

Murphy recently previewed new material at the SEone club in London, performing "Momma's Place" and "Hold up Your Hands". She also said on her official forum that she has written some new songs including "Leviathan (Do It Yourself)", among others with producer Apollo Andel. On 2 November, she premiered her newest single "Orally Fixated" on her MySpace page. The song was released 16 November. The Guardian offered a free download of the song for 48 hours beginning on 12 November.

In a January 2010 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Murphy said, "First of all, I haven't recorded a new album as such. I've recorded a lot of songs, but I haven't planned beyond just putting the songs out there and letting them have their own life, and see how the music lives on its own, without videos, without a big promotion. It's more just about getting songs out there and letting them have their own life."

"Overpowered" still sounding good to me; gave it a listen this morning.

Probably trying to get it all worked out being label-less and all.

in fact imo the only dud on Overpowered is the Goldfrappesque "Movie Star"

Overpowered has no duds, btw.

xpost: yeah. I was hoping that some more tracks had been put out which I'd failed to hear about.

I think all the recent Róisín chatter was in the M.I.A. vs. Gaga thread, whatever it was titled.

I avoid all Gaga threads. Will reconsider my position on "Movie Star".