The aptly named
Do You Like My Tight Sweater?
slinks and bounces on a funky backbone of fat basslines and innovative beats that support singer
Roisin Murphy
's sly, theatrical vocals and lyrics. Part catwoman, part droid, her singing ranges from a knowing purr to an androgynous growl and creates characters like party weirdos, dominatrixes, killer bunnies, and ghosts. As dramatic as her vocals are, however,
Murphy
is an antidiva; her musical surroundings equal her singing in importance. The other half of
's individuality comes from
Mark Brydon
's arrangements, which combine fluid tempos, sudden breakbeats, witty sound effects, and unearthly keyboards in sci-fi grooves that appeal to the brain and body. Standout tracks like
"Fun for Me,"
"I Can't Help Myself,"
"Lotus Eaters,"
and
"Party Weirdo"
mix sensuality, technology,
funk
, and
electronica
in a unique and stylish blend. While some of the sillier songs like
"On My Horsey"
"Dirty Monkey"
disrupt the flow of
, the danceable creativity of
Moloko
's debut overrides its quirks. ~ Heather Phares