Overpowered

Overpowered
Overpowered
Studio album by Róisín Murphy
Released 12 October 2007 (2007-10-12)
Recorded 2006–07
Genre Electronic, dance, pop, disco, indietronica, alternative dance
Length 59:49
Label EMI
Producer Róisín Murphy, Dan Carey, Andy Cato, Jimmy Douglass, Ill Factor, Parrot & Dean, Seiji, Richard X
Róisín Murphy chronology
Ruby Blue
(2005)		 Overpowered
(2007)		 Live at Ancienne Belgique 19.11.07
(2007)
Singles from Overpowered
  1. "Overpowered"
    Released: 9 July 2007
  2. "Let Me Know"
    Released: 8 October 2007
  3. "You Know Me Better"
    Released: 31 March 2008
  4. "Movie Star"
    Released: 14 October 2008

Overpowered is the second solo studio album by Irish recording artist Róisín Murphy, released in Ireland on 12 October 2007 and in the United Kingdom and rest of Europe on 15 October 2007. The album was to be released in the United States in late 2008 or early 2009, but was cancelled by EMI due to financial difficulties on their part. Receiving widespread critical acclaim, the album was more commercially successful than its predecessor, debuting at number twenty on the UK Albums Chart.

Contents

Background

In 2006, whilst promoting her band Moloko's greatest hits album, Catalogue, Murphy announced that she was recording a new album to be released in 2007. After signing to EMI in May 2006, Murphy set out to produce a pop album with a heavy disco influence. With a bigger budget behind her than with her last record company, the independent Echo Records, Murphy recorded around thirty songs for the album with various producers and writers in Miami, London and Barcelona, commenting that each of the producers aided the pop influence of the album, as they all wanted to write "the single".

The success of Overpowered was in limbo, since EMI was having severe financial difficulties. In December 2006, EMI stopped shipping to independent record stores, focusing more on high-end retailers such as Borders.

Art direction

The artwork for Overpowered and its accompanying single releases was conceptualised by Scott King (who also directed the promotional videos for "Overpowered" and "Let Me Know"), and the cover images were photographed by Jonathan de Villiers. The artwork places Murphy wearing extraordinary outfits in everyday surroundings, presenting her as a "street diva"[1] and a constant performer. Murphy wears outfits by Gareth Pugh, Givenchy and Viktor & Rolf in the artwork.[2]

The design inside the booklet for Overpowered features a cryptic assemblage (resembling a flowchart but lacking directional indications found in such) made up of boxes containing statements and quotes, as well as apparent excerpts from the written treatment for the promotional video of "Let Me Know" and assorted photographs. Among the known quoatations: "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture" (Laurie Anderson) and "I got signed to EMI because I reminded them of Robbie Williams" (Murphy).[2] According to Murphy, the photography for the album and single sleeves cost £125,000.[3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source Rating
Metacritic (82/100)[4]
Review scores
Source Rating
About.com 4.5/5 stars[5]
Allmusic 4.5/5 stars[6]
BBC Music (very favourable)[7]
Drowned in Sound (6/10)[8]
musicOMH 4/5 stars[9]
NME (6/10)[10]
The Observer 5/5 stars[11]
Pitchfork Media (8.0/10)[12]
Stylus Magazine (B+)[13]
The Sunday Times 3/5 stars[14]

Overpowered received mostly positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 82, based on 12 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".[4] The Observer's Garry Mulholland praised the album as "a sumptuous 11-track, all-killer-no-filler, electro-disco gem" that "sees Murphy striving to get rid of her Big Hit Albatross." He also added, "Inspired by the Eighties proto-house of D Train, Mantronix and Gwen Guthrie, but often sounding a dead-ringer for Yazoo, early Eurythmics and rave-era dance-popsters Electribe 101, Overpowered's bubbling, sensual, and soulful glitterball gems effortlessly tap into the perennial glory of feeling lost and lonely at the disco at the end of the world."[11] In a review for Allmusic, Heather Phares called it "[a]ptly enough for such a pop-focused album" and wrote that "nearly every song on Overpowered sounds like a potential smash hit. Even if this album is a bid for the big time, it's done with such flair that it just underscores what a confident and unique artist Murphy really is."[6] Ben Urdang of musicOMH cited Overpowered as Murphy's "most coherent album yet" and noted that her "songwriting appears to be stronger than ever with a consistent style and sound emerging throughout."[9] Stephen Trouss of Pitchfork Media commented that "[i]n a year of low-stakes disappointment for European pop, Overpowered is a triumph."[12] Sonja D'Cruze, writing for BBC Music, stated, "From start to finish Roisin fronts an inventive, unpredictable record. Overpowered spits glitter with every song and could go a long way to bringing back a disco chic revival."[7]

Jax Spike from About.com described the album as "pretty overpowering itself, containing solid electropop music with plenty of funky flavor and some really wild beats, with her smooth voice exuding confidence despite any moments of breathiness."[5] The Sunday Times critic Mark Edwards remarked that "[t]he music on Overpowered plays down her quirky (all right, difficult) side in favour of a melange of disco/house styles from 1975 to 1989. It lacks the glam wit of Goldfrapp or the cheekiness of Kylie, but it's brisk and efficient."[14] The NME referred to Overpowered as "a thoroughly modern pop album that will best appeal to ageing clubbers."[10] Cpt H.M. 'Howling Mad' Murdock from Drowned in Sound felt that "[n]ot once does Overpowered really drag its feet, but it never truly impacts with the might one could possibly expect from an artist with such a fine pedigree. It's a solid pop album, one wonderfully in tune with today's stylistic shifts and trends."[8] Emily Mackay of Yahoo! Music said that on Overpowered, Murphy "melded the two sides of her history much more seamlessly; four-to-the-floor pop belters mix with touches of electronic and lyrical darkness to make one of the pop albums of the year."[15] Stylus Magazine's Dan MacRae believed that "Overpowered knows how to squeech and squelch in the proper places, while touches of cowbell, beatboxery, and the occasional Prince styled riff all get sprinkled in accordingly."[13] Lauren Murphy of entertainment.ie was not impressed, stating that "this is an album that sticks rigidly to a tried-and-tested formula, rarely colouring outside the lines or deviating from the disco/house vibe", but found that "there are some fantastically uplifting dance-pop tunes here, all launched forth with the effortless vigour that Murphy does so well."[16]

Singles and promotion

The album was preceded by the title track "Overpowered", released as its lead single on 9 July 2007. Murphy's official website announced on 6 July 2007 that the single was not chart eligible but instead was used as an introduction for her start at EMI. The second single from the album was the song "Let Me Know", released a week before the album. It reached number twenty-eight on the UK Singles Chart. Several months later, "You Know Me Better" was released as the album's third single on 31 March 2008, peaking at number forty-seven in the UK. Murphy announced in an interview that "Movie Star" would be released as the album's fourth single. It was released digitally in the United States on 13 October 2008. However, a planned worldwide double A-side release of the single along with Murphy's cover of Bryan Ferry's 1985 song "Slave to Love" was cancelled. "Slave to Love" has become a underground hit in clubs and raves worldwide since its leak onto the Internet, spawning several unauthorised remixes and extended versions.

Tour

In support of the album, Murphy embarked on an extensive tour across Europe. During the tour, Murphy also performed in Australia and a one-night show in New York City. On 27 October 2007, Murphy sustained an eye injury during a concert in a Moscow club and had to cancel several subsequent shows.[17] In total, Murphy performed ninety-four shows in twenty-nine countries.

Track listing

No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length
1. "Overpowered"   Róisín Murphy, Paul Dolby, Mike Patto Seiji 5:08
2. "You Know Me Better"   Murphy, Andy Cato Cato 4:18
3. "Checkin' on Me"   Murphy, Jimmy Douglass, Ivan Corraliza, Cheri London Douglass, Ill Factor 4:39
4. "Let Me Know"   Murphy, Cato Cato 5:10
5. "Movie Star"   Murphy, Dolby, Patto Parrot & Dean 4:02
6. "Primitive"   Murphy, Corraliza Douglass, Ill Factor 4:50
7. "Footprints"   Murphy, Dolby, Mark de Clive-Lowe Seiji 3:37
8. "Dear Miami"   Murphy, Dolby, Patto Seiji 3:41
9. "Cry Baby"   Murphy, Richard Barrett, Dean Honer, Mike Ward Parrot & Dean 5:55
10. "Tell Everybody"   Murphy, Douglass, Corraliza, London Douglass, Ill Factor 3:51
11. "Scarlet Ribbons"   Murphy, Barrett, Honer, Ward Dan Carey 5:36
12. "Body Language" (bonus track) Murphy, Cato Cato 4:40
13. "Parallel Lives" (bonus track) Murphy, Richard X X 4:22

Other songs

B-sides and online exclusives

  • "Foolish" (Róisín Murphy, Paul Dolby) – 3:28
  • "Sweet Nothings" (Murphy, Lajuana Pigram, Jimmy Douglass, Ivan Corraliza) – 3:44
  • "Sunshine" (Murphy, Richard Barrett, Dean Honer, Cathy Dennis) – 3:08
  • "Unlovable" (Murphy, Dolby, Mark de Clive-Lowe) – 3:56
  • "Keep It Loose" (Murphy, Dolby, Mike Patto, Robin Mullarkey, Toni Economides) – 3:26
  • "Modern Timing" (Murphy, Corraliza) – 4:28
  • "Slave to Love" (Bryan Ferry) – 3:41

Unreleased songs

These songs were written and/or recorded by Murphy for Overpowered, but remain unreleased.

During an interview with Popjustice, Scottish electronic musician Calvin Harris called Murphy "a bit mental" for not including the songs "Off and On" and "Don't Let It Go to Your Head Boy" on Overpowered. Furthermore, he accused her of "cost[ing] me all sorts of money" during recording.[21] Murphy and Harris have since resolved their differences and the song "Off and On" was recorded by English pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor for her 2011 album Make a Scene.[22]

Personnel

  • Robin Mullarkey – bass (track 11)
  • Stephan Murphy – bass (track 3)
  • Dave Okumu – guitar (tracks 1, 7, 8)
  • Ross Orton – drums (track 5)
  • Jason Ozveran – guitar (track 11)
  • Parrot – producer, synthesizer, programming (tracks 5, 9)
  • Mike Patto – keyboards (track 1); guitar (tracks 5, 8)
  • Davide de Rose – drums (track 11)
  • Kevin Rudolf – guitar (track 4)
  • Seiji – producer, drums, keyboards (tracks 1, 7, 8); keyboards (tracks 1, 7); engineer (tracks 5, 7, 8)
  • Alexis Smith – studio assistant (track 4); assistant engineer (track 11)
  • Philly Smith – backing vocals (track 9)
  • Eddie Stevens – keyboards (track 11)
  • Stephen Tirpak – trombone, brass arrangement (track 3)
  • Jonathan de Villiers – photography
  • Mike Ward – additional producer (track 9)
  • Richard X – producer, keyboards (track 13)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2007) Peak
position
Austrian Albums Chart[23] 35
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[24] 4
Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)[25] 34
Dutch Albums Chart[26] 13
European Top 100 Albums[27] 30
Finnish Albums Chart[28] 28
French Albums Chart[29] 154
German Albums Chart[30] 57
Irish Albums Chart[31] 51
Swiss Albums Chart[32] 32
UK Albums Chart[33] 20

Certifications

Country Certification
Belgium Gold[34]

Year-end charts

Chart (2007) Peak
position
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[35] 48

References

  1. ^ "Roisin – the official biography". roisinmurphy.blogspot.com. 28 September 2007. http://roisinmurphy.blogspot.com/2007/09/roisin-official-biography.html. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  2. ^ a b louis (7 April 2008). "Roisin Murphy: Overpowered". Sleevage. http://sleevage.com/roisin-murphy-overpowered/. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  3. ^ Sweeny, Eamon (28 November 2008). "Roisin Murphy: I'm no R'N'R cliche...". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/features/roisin-murphy-irsquom-no-rnr-cliche-1556289.html. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  4. ^ a b "Overpowered – Roisin Murphy". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. http://www.metacritic.com/music/overpowered. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  5. ^ a b Spike, Jax. "Roisin Murphy – 'Overpowered'". About.com. The New York Times Company. http://dancemusic.about.com/od/reviews/fr/Roisin_Murphy_-_Overpowered.htm. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  6. ^ a b Phares, Heather. "Overpowered – Róisín Murphy". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/overpowered-r1214639/review. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  7. ^ a b D'Cruze, Sonja (10 October 2007). "Review of Róisín Murphy – Overpowered". BBC Music. BBC Online. http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/pqdp. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  8. ^ a b Murdock, Cpt H.M. 'Howling Mad' (24 October 2007). "Roisin Murphy – Overpowered". Drowned in Sound. http://drownedinsound.com/releases/11492/reviews/2525491-roisin-murphy-overpowered. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  9. ^ a b Urdang, Ben. "Róisín Murphy – Overpowered (EMI)". musicOMH. http://www.musicomh.com/albums/roisin-murphy_1007.htm. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  10. ^ a b "Roisin Murphy: 'Overpowered'". NME. IPC Media. 12 October 2007. http://web.nme.com/reviews/roisin-murphy/9096. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  11. ^ a b Mulholland, Garry (14 October 2007). "Roisin Murphy, Overpowered". The Observer. guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/oct/14/popandrock.shopping1. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  12. ^ a b Trouss, Stephen (18 October 2007). "Róisín Murphy: Overpowered". Pitchfork Media. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10794-overpowered/. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  13. ^ a b MacRae, Dan (24 October 2007). "Roisin Murphy – Overpowered". Stylus Magazine. http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/roisin-murphy/overpowered.htm. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  14. ^ a b Edwards, Mark (14 October 2007). "Roisin Murphy: Overpowered". The Sunday Times. Times Newspapers. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article2638930.ece. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  15. ^ Mackay, Emily (18 October 2007). "Róisín Murphy – Overpowered". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/071018/33/21ncd.html. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  16. ^ Murphy, Lauren (1 November 2007). "Roisin Murphy – Overpowered". entertainment.ie. http://entertainment.ie/album-review/Roisin-Murphy---Overpowered/5260.htm. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  17. ^ MacInnes, Paul (29 October 2007). "Roisin Murphy recovering after eye-socket injury". The Guardian. guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/oct/29/1. Retrieved 3 October 2011. 
  18. ^ "Don't Let It Go to Your Head Boy". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=342357711&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1. Retrieved 16 February 2008. 
  19. ^ "Earn It". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=351336619&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1. Retrieved 16 February 2008. 
  20. ^ "Off & On". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=451311750&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1. Retrieved 16 February 2008. 
  21. ^ "Calvin Harris Interview". Popjustice. 18 May 2007. http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=937&Itemid=266. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  22. ^ Ramaswamy, Chitra (25 May 2008). "Rock Ness artist: Roisin Murphy". Scotland on Sunday. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/13299/Rock-Ness-artist-Roisin-Murphy.4135712.jp. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  23. ^ "Róisín Murphy – Overpowered" (in German). IFPI Austria. Hung Medien. http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=R%F3is%EDn+Murphy&titel=Overpowered&cat=a. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  24. ^ "Róisín Murphy – Overpowered" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. http://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=R%F3is%EDn+Murphy&titel=Overpowered&cat=a. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  25. ^ "Róisín Murphy – Overpowered" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=R%F3is%EDn+Murphy&titel=Overpowered&cat=a. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  26. ^ "Róisín Murphy – Overpowered" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Hung Medien. http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=R%F3is%EDn+Murphy&titel=Overpowered&cat=a. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  27. ^ "European Albums – Week of November 03, 2007". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/european-albums?chartDate=2007-11-03&order=gainer. Retrieved 11 April 2011. 
  28. ^ "Róisín Murphy – Overpowered". IFPI Finland. Hung Medien. http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=R%F3is%EDn+Murphy&titel=Overpowered&cat=a. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  29. ^ "Róisín Murphy – Overpowered" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Hung Medien. http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=R%F3is%EDn+Murphy&titel=Overpowered&cat=a. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  30. ^ "Chartverfolgung / Murphy,Roisin / Longplay" (in German). Media Control. PhonoNet GmbH. http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Murphy,Roisin/?type=longplay. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  31. ^ "Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending 25 October 2007". Irish Recorded Music Association. Chart-Track. http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2007&year=2007&week=43. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  32. ^ "Róisín Murphy – Overpowered". Media Control. Hung Medien. http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=R%F3is%EDn+Murphy&titel=Overpowered&cat=a. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  33. ^ "Roisin Murphy – Overpowered". The Official Charts Company. Chart Stats. http://www.chartstats.com/release.php?release=39986. Retrieved 11 February 2009. 
  34. ^ "Gold and platinum certifications – Albums – 2008". Belgian Entertainment Association. Hung Medien. 5 July 2008. http://www.ultratop.be/en/certifications.asp?year=2008. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  35. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2007" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2007&cat=a. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 

External links

v · Róisín Murphy
Studio albums
Ruby Blue · Overpowered
Singles
EPs
"Sequins #1" · "Sequins #2" · "Sequins #3"
Live albums
Related articles
Discography · Moloko · songs · albums

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Overpowered — Студийный альбом …   Википедия

  • overpowered — adj. 1. rendered powerless especially by an excessive amount or profusion of something. Syn: overcome, overwhelmed, swamped, engulfed. [WordNet 1.5] 2. Having more than the required power; as, an overpowered hot rod. [Colloq.] [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Overpowered — Overpower O ver*pow er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Overpowered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Overpowering}.] To excel or exceed in power; to cause to yield by superior power; to vanquish; to subdue; as, the light overpowers the eyes. And overpower d that gallant… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Overpowered (song) — Overpowered Single by Róisín Murphy from the album Overpowered …   Wikipedia

  • Overpowered (álbum) — Overpowered (2007) Álbum de estudio de Róisín Murphy Publicación 12 de octubre de 2007 15 de octubre de 2007 …   Wikipedia Español

  • overpowered with emotion — index ecstatic Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • overpowered — adjective Overly powerful Ant: underpowered …   Wiktionary

  • overpowered — Synonyms and related words: all up with, beat, beaten, bested, confounded, defeated, discomfited, done for, done in, down, fallen, fixed, floored, hors de combat, lambasted, lathered, licked, on the skids, outdone, overborne, overcome,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • overpowered — adj. overwhelmed or overcome (as with force or emotion); defeated; bestowed with an excessive amount of powerv. subdue; take control of; overwhelm or overcome (as with force or emotion); bestow with an excessive amount of power …   English contemporary dictionary

  • OVERPOWERED — …   Useful english dictionary

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