Overpowered [IMPORT]

Róisín Murphy

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 16, 2007)
• Original Release Date: October 15, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• ASIN: B000UN1CWM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,290 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk
Following a lukewarm response to her Matthew-Herbert produced left-field solo debut Ruby Blue, ex-Moloko singer Róisín Murphy has opted to go properly pop. Bringing together the best bits of Madonna, Giorgio Moroder, and the Eurythmics, and mixing them up with acid house basslines and elastic disco grooves, Overpowered is a bid at crossover dance music stardom if ever there was one. It’s a persuasive gambit too. By teaming up with trendy beatmakers like Bugz in the Attic and Groove Armada, Murphy has ensured a pumping, clean, and highly individual soundtrack, over which she scatters her equally idiosyncratic lyrics and endearing vocal delivery. The Goldfrapp-esque "Movie Star," the wickedly insouciant "Footprints," the searing "You Know Me Better," and the title track all bristle with authentic dance-floor energy. There are some excellent slower tracks too--not least the dubby finale--and though not every song reaches for the sky, there’s a cosmic dimension at work that puts Murphy way ahead of most of her dance-pop competitors. --Paul Sullivan

Product Description
EMI Records is proud to present 'Overpowered', the second album from Róisín Murphy. A heady mix of electronic dance anthems, soul-stirring pop songs, deep, dark funk and quirky lyrical genius, 'Overpowered' is a thrilling and contemporary marriage of edgy pop and irresistible disco. Róisín co-wrote and co-produced the entire album, bringing her own vision and focus to these songs whilst working with a variety of producers, writers and mixers to create what is without doubt her finest record; unpredictable, creative, inventive, exciting and hugely accessible. Working with the likes of Seiji, Andy Cato (Groove Armada), Jimmy Douglass, Ill Factor, and Parrot & Dean of All Seeing I / I Monster, Róisín has brought her love of the dance floor right to the very heart of the album. 'Overpowered' is the place where pop meets dance and gives birth to a glitter-drenched masterpiece. This is one of the albums of the year - a breathtaking modern classic. The first single proper from the album will be "Let Me Know" which is released a week before the album on October 8th.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the primordial soup..., November 13, 2007

By	Johnny Myo (London, UK) - See all my reviews

Comparing Overpowered to Roisin's solo début, Ruby Blue, is a bit like comparing Moloko's polished, masterful Statues to the quirkier, more hit-and-miss Things To Make And Do - they are different projects and will appeal to different listeners in different ways.
I don't think this is her two fingers to those who ignored Ruby Blue (how many copies of Statues were sold, after all?), but just the direction she wanted to go in, this time. Interesting that in interviews Roisin describes how Overpowered was "made in a pop way", rather than a "pop album," because they are mostly not pop songs, lyrically anyway. When they are, as on Let Me Know, they score the kind of direct hit they might have done had Curtis Mantronik worked with Moloko.
In fact, at time of writing, it's hard to fathom why this album isn't burning up the charts yet, considering the strength of the two singles that have already come off it. Other, lyrically diverting songs such as Primitive and Dear Miami really benefit from the slick "pop" treatment, but the one to really propel Overpowered into people's brains could be You Know Me Better - with it's tough, staccato vocal and conventional, insistent chorus concealing a quite complex emotional position. Some good mixes could really help here - although it's pretty much club-ready as it is. If only the clubs could still "break" an artist through. Oh well.
On repeated listening, some of the other songs stand out too. Scarlet Ribbons, an observation on paternal love set in a lovers' rock arrangement, and the album's closer, Parallel Lives, sound more essential with each play.
For those interested in such details, the whole CD is also expertly engineered to bring the very best out of the vocal. It's just a shame the two tracks reminiscent of Goldfrapp - Movie Star and Cry Baby - don't pursue a sound that's less over-marketed, here in the UK. But these are small quibbles - it still stuffs the (currently) creatively-constipated likes of Gwen Stefani. I reckon this is a contender for album of the year, but I really can't choose between this and Ultra Naté's Grime, Silk, Thunder.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Infectious, spellbinding, timeless music, February 13, 2008

By	A. Capriles - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I stumbled upon Roisin Muphy almost by mistake, having seen the "Overpowered video". I was immediately sold on her seductive voice, oh what a character it has.

The collection of songs in Overpowered represent in my opinion, among the greatest songs i've heard in the last decade. It's simply pop perfection, retro by design yet progressive and timeless. If there's anyone who's doing dance music right, it's Roisin. Her vocal talent over every lyric is evident in every track, she sings it like she means it and I love it.

The gem opens with the title track, "Overpoered". A perfect ode to melonchalic memories, anyone who wonders alone in a big city late at night would find this the perfect song to listen to.

"You know me better" is an uptempo dimension onto pure enchanted bliss. This is a very happy, upbeat song.

"Checking on me" is one of the best in an album full of stunners. It's percussive rhythmn is perfectly married to the song's lyrics: A medidation on jelousy. She cuts close to the bone here. "Lemme know" is similar to you know me better, a catchy hook drives the danceable beats. Being lonely has never sounded so happy. "Movie star" is a departure in conception, something closer to early 90's euro dance crossed with industrial. Good song to split the album with. "Primitive" is a down tempo semi ballad for hip lovers. Make sure you're dressing your best that day. "Footprints" is arguably one of the weakest songs in an album where every song is good. Its a throwback to the 90's, and it's sugary. Again, good.

"Dear Miami" is an unqualified triumph. Catchy, simple, yet layered with meaning, a love letter to Miami's decadence. If you've ever been there you'll know what her message is.

"Cry baby" is arguably the album's monster club jam. It's got one of the catching synthlines i've ever heard, a complete stunner from beginning to end. Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder would be proud.

"Tell everybody" is arguably the weakest song in the album, in terms of what preceeded it. Still, it's 99% more inspired than the stuff that's out there now.

The album rebounds with the heartfelt, deeply personal ballad "Scarlet Ribbons". I'm a grown man and i'll tell you this song almost brought me to tears. It's a beautiful song, and a great song to dedicate to your dad if you're a chick. It picks up the pace with the Kylie Minogue influenced "Body Language". This one's a keeper, you gotta feel how silky smooth it and catchy it is. Great song.

"Parallel lives" gets my vote for the album's best song. It will open up sentiments and make you think. "Foolish" and "Sweet nothings" keeps the momentum going, more winners in an album full of gems.

The album climaxes with a pair of killer dance tracks, the best of these two being the flirtatious "Modern timing".

Conclusion:

"Overpowered" gets my vote as the most well rounded and satisfying release in ages. Essential listening for any fan of danceable music with emotion at it's center. A+ Roisin Murphy.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE GREATEST POP LP'S OF ALL TIME, January 11, 2008

By	M. Vipond "poolboy666" (los angeles, ca.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This LP/CD/MP3 blows it out of the water. This is probably as good as the first Madonna LP. Roisin has hit her stride and the tunes are top notch. The production is very tight and if anyone could gripe it's a little in that Timbaland vein but on a record of 13 songs almost none are duds. For a dance/soul/street record this is major. Roisin is a really amazing live performer and seems almost shamanistic in her relationship to singing. As the lead singer/co-writer with Moloko she has been a staple in the underground for 13 years. Her videos are pretty far out, she's hot and she seems ripe for stardom but is she too good for stardom? Let's hope EMI doesn't blow this one. She should be getting American airplay. She should be played on KIIS FM Los Angeles. She should be a star. But is the world ready for a star with this much intelligence and sexuality? They better bloody well be!