Things to Make and Do is the most vibrant and diverse record from Sheffield pop duo Moloko, in addition to being the album that marks Roisin Murphy’s ascension to art-pop queen. Things follows the unbelievable clubland success of I Am Not A Doctor’s "Say It Back", but this taste of chart success did little to quell their leftfield tendencies. (That very dance remix of the track is featured on Things as a bonus track.) Their sound is still *fun* over all, a veritable kitchen sink full of funk grooves, trip-hop wobble, and glitchy drum & bass, but with a newly added touch of live instrumentation. And Roisin - her wild yet endearing vocals touch on everything from Kate Bush detachment to Karen O’s howling to Little Richard falsetto. “The Time Is Now” is a rugged spaghetti western riff with eardrum-popping kick, Murphy’s vocals drifting from a warbling coo to Grace Jones commandments over impeccable string stabs. “Somebody Somewhere” is a squelchy bassline and shivering breakbeats with a Human League-esque (or more recently, The Juan Maclean) vocal turn from Mr. Brydon. “A Drop In The Ocean” begins with retro flanged sitar that warps and melts away from marauding electronic sequences and well-bottom incantations from Murphy. This album is pressed on limited edition 180g transparent pink vinyl and includes a 4 page booklet. Limited to only 3000 numbered copies, highly recommended for fans of quirky left-field dance music such as the Basement Jaxx and Chromeo, in addition to those who enjoy chin-scratching art pop earworms.

• 180g pink transparent colored vinyl pressing
  
• first time available on vinyl since 2000
  
• includes 4 page booklet
• limited to 3000 individually numbered copies
  
• original release year: 2000
• also available: Moloko - Do You Like My Tight Sweater (Music On Vinyl 180g, Colored Vinyl) Vinyl LP, Moloko - I Am Not A Doctor (Music On Vinyl 180g, Colored Vinyl) Vinyl 2LP
• music label: Music on Vinyl 2019

reviewed by THEE FUNKY WORM 12/2019