Happy 20th Anniversary to Moloko’s third studio album Things to Make and Do, originally released April 10, 2000.
Róisín Murphy and Mark Brydon formed the now legendary dance duo Moloko back in 1994. From the get go, the vocally charismatic Murphy and production powerhouse Brydon created a fresh and vibrant take on dance music that so desperately filled a void in this genre’s scene of the early 90’s.
In late 1995, the duo released their first studio album Do You Like My Tight Sweater? inspired by part of Murphy’s pickup line to Brydon when they first met. Although the album didn’t find much success from a charts perspective, it tapped into a curiosity among those of us looking for something more organic and not as commercial as your standard dance fare.
Chart success evaded Moloko yet again with their sophomore album I Am Not A Doctor in 1998. Two singles were released, neither made any chart impact, but a DJ by the name of Boris Dlugosch decided to give the album’s second single “Sing It Back” a reworking and as they say, “magic was made.”
The single, which barely cracked the UK charts the first time round, was re-released in 1999 and given a more disco feel as opposed to its original experimental sound. It not only scored the number one spot on the UK & US dance charts, but it took out the number 4 spot on the commercial UK chart and started making its presence felt on other more commercial charts globally. This not only created some well overdue hype for the duo, but also sparked much more interest in what the band would offer up next.
Thankfully for fans all around the world, that “interest” arrived in the form of their third studio album Things to Make and Do. Murphy’s voice had now become instantly recognizable and whilst she could challenge a wide array of vocal styles and arrangements, the uniqueness and many times left-of-center approach associated with Moloko’s music always persisted and essentially became their trademark.
This album can come across as chaotic from a musical standpoint. Yet, in true Moloko fashion, it somehow manages to override this chaos to become a coherent album. The first official single released from the album, “The Time Is Now” combines some incredibly beautiful instrumental work with the Spanish “Palmas” clapping in the background creating an almost Flamenco feel. Murphy’s vocals take on a jazz tone as she reminds us that “the time is now” and to allow yourself to succumb to desire.
The single hit number 2 on the charts and paved the way for the album’s other two offerings: “Pure Pleasure Seeker” and the alternative “Indigo.” The latter barely charted and “Pure Pleasure Seeker” missed cracking the top 20 by one spot at #21. Never one to shy away from the visual, the video for “Pure Pleasure Seeker” is set as a type of homage to the BBC TV show Old Grey Whistle Test from the 1970s. It features an introduction from the legendary broadcaster Bob Harris who not only cohosted the show, but also happens to be one of the cofounders of Time Out magazine.
Things to Make and Do saw a shift for the duo into a sound that was clearly propelled by a more organic use of instruments. Along with this sonic pivot, the maturity that Murphy found lyrically allowed her freedom to explore and create a strong sense of direction. This can be heard clearly on tracks like “Being Is Bewildering” and “It’s Nothing.”
Moloko was one of those rare groups that managed to borrow, or pay homage if you like, to other genres and never make it dull or overly construed. Instead, everything they created had a fun and fresh sound that enchanted all those that listened. On the track “Somebody Somewhere,” you can hear this sense of joy and lack of inhibition that both Murphy (and in a rare vocal appearance) Dave Cooke put on full display.
For any fan of the 16-years-strong solo Róisín Murphy who hasn’t indulged in this Things To Make And Do, it is imperative that you make listening to this album your top priority. It won’t be to everyone’s liking, especially given how musically adventurous the duo were, but no matter. What it will offer you is a strong sense of the genius that lies not only within Murphy, but also Brydon and the barriers that they pushed within very conventional and sometimes stuffy musical limits, as a new millennium dawned upon us.
LISTEN: