Customer Reviews

Abc Music - The Radio 1 Sessions

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This new double CD sort of functions as both a greatest hits collection and a quasi-live album at the same time. Compiling all of Stereolab's Radio 1 sessions, this set features songs from nearly every phase of the 'Lab's constantly evolving massive body of work. It's amazing to hear, although the more raw qualities of a band performing on the radio are definitely evident here, how polished the band sounds in these recordings. The early, more guitar-centered songs like "Super-Electric" and "Laissez Faire" sound great, but it's the songs from the "Emperor Tomato Ketchup" and "Sound-Dust" eras that are most fun and revelatory to hear in this 'live' setting. The inclusion of some very good songs that you probably haven't heard anywhere else before ("Moogie Wonderland" and the awesome "Heavy Denim") makes 'ABC Music' an essential buy for Stereolab fans--even though they'll already have the studio versions of most of these songs. God, I sound like I'm working for Amazon.com, but it really is worth getting. I have found myself preferring the songs from "Sound-Dust" on this compilation better than the ones on the actual record.

We'll miss you, Mary.

I'm surprised that there haven't been more reviews of this album. Stereolab's first release in quite a while is more in line with their 'Switched On' series than their studio releases (NOTE: this is not a new studio album), so it's tough to know who to recommend it to. If you're a little turned off by their electronic shenanigans, then it's a great opportunity to hear a more stripped-down Stereolab relying more on their instruments to make their sound. If, like me, you're thrilled with their more polished and eclectic works, this might be a bit of a letdown. Nevertheless, it's two discs of solid pop tracks that include some new versions of their best songs. For fans, it's a must-have (natch), but it might not be the best introduction for newcomers. That said, if you like them more live than you do on CD, then this is the Stereolab album for you.

It has taken me a long time to get round to really connecting with this double CD workproduct from the famed Franco-British synthetic pop-music agitprop alternorock band. Ever since catching them live about ten years ago, I've considered them one of my favorite bands. I mean the live sound was so good that although I had long outgrown my penchant for ingesting mind altering substances, I caught myself longing for something really good to better enjoy the sound with AND even though I left that concert thinking it was one of the dem finest concert experiences I'd ever had--and I've attended dozens and dozens, of 'em--I still to this day wish I'd been there on a different plane of consciousness. It was just an indescribably good time. Having said that, I subsequently acquired three or four of their efforts, King Tomato Ketchup, Dot and Loops, Space Age Bachelor Music and perhaps another but they all got a couple of plays and then gathered dust. I got this double CD more from wishful thinking than from any expectations of taking aural pleasure from it. My first couple of play throughs more or less confirmed my worst expectations: just another another semi-repetitious Stereolab album with a few good bits, I thought. Then, about a year later for no reason or any reason at all I gave it another chance, by chance and you know what? It came alive for me. I have to say that this comp. of synthetic mongopopular radio frequency stage happiness is really quite good, and complete and definitely worth a purchase. If you've never heard Stereolab listen to the sample tracks above, I'm sure that they will give one a good idea of what they sound like. The music is kind of dreamy kind of funky kind of hokey kind of thoughtful kind of happy and often kind of demmed good. It is refreshing to find a band that one likes which does not sound like a whole bunch of other bands. In fact, if I were to make a comparison of Stereolab to another band I would have to compare it to a band that I haven't heard yet. This album is definitely a long term keeper.

If you're a Stereolab fan then this is an outstanding double disc of "live" John Peel session cuts featuring for the most part cuts from Switched On, Peng, Emperor Tomato Ketchup and Mars Audio Quintet. Probably the most interesting aspect of the cd is that it sounds more like an alternative studion cuts compilation than it does a live cd and in fact unless you know beforehand that the cuts are indeed live you'd really have no idea. Definitely worth picking up even if you own most of the original releases.

This is my personal favorite Stereolab album, and the one that introduced me to what a great band they really are. I love the way the songs are stripped down to their bare essentials. There's something about hearing this music played in such a basic way that really shows you what an amazing band Stereolab is. It's a reminder to those less familiar with them, that they're not just about making heavily produced space age lounge music. They're also a truly great indie rock band. One that can make as exciting and interesting music with a set of guitars and drums as they can with an elaborate array of synthesizers. If you pick up this album with that in mind, I think you'll be able to really appreciate the music on these two discs. It's a special treat if you appreciate their early kraut rock influenced music, which dominates the first disc in the set.

This collection of live sessions from BBC Radio 1 is a fantastic retrospective of Stereolab's work from 1991-2001. They sound great throughout this two disc collection. Particular highlights for me include the extended jam on Metronomic Underground and, one of my favorite tracks from any group, Cybele's Reverie. If you are new to Stereolab, this is a great collection to give you a remedial course in their work throughout the 90's, while long time fans will surely enjoy these live recordings of old favorites. Clocking in with over two hours music, this is a good deal as well.

If you are searching for Stereolab, this is the release you need. 2 CD set is excellent. It is not like hearing them live but it is not as polished as a studio album either. It is an essential addition to any long time fan's collection and serves as a very good introduction to the Groop for anyone just discovering this awesome band.

Mary R.I.P.

This is now my favorite Stereolab album! Fans of Stereolab will love this! For folks new to Stereolab, this is a great place to start! This is high-energy pop with strong, steady, and hypnotic rhythms and nice harmonies. Certainly an "essential" Stereolab CD.

I'm not a Stereolab guru, I've only been listening to them a couple of years or so but I think this album is a good starter for a couple of reasons. First, you get a lot of music for the money. Second, it covers a pretty wide spectrum of their sound. Stereo seem to move between two phases- basic, stripped down minimalist rock and complex jazz rock- and I say 'jazz' lightly. If all jazz were like Stereolab's latest works I probably wouldn't throw up at the sound of most of it.

Anyway, that said, my initial attraction was toward their earlier minimilist rock period (Changer, Anemie, Difficult Fourth Title are all good examples). It's so basic but distinctive and Letitia's voice w/ Mary's backing just hooks it for me. It compares closely with some of Velvet Underground's with Nico on vocals. Check out 'All Tomorrow's Parties' by the Velvets to see what I mean. After you've had your fill of minimalism you might venture to other albums and Emperor Tomato Ketchup is a good one because it keeps a rock beat but adds a layer of complexity that elevates it to a new level of what rock music can be. The title track is still one of my favorites.

From there you might return to this album and explore on. Things seem to get weird, or just plain different, depending on your view. My first step into that side was the song "Brigitte". I can't put my finger on why I like this song so much. Perhaps it's how they use synths to create mood without being cheesy, sentimental or tied to traditional blues music. Brigitte sounds the way I imagine Anne Rice's vampires feel when they're happy to be vampires, owning the night time world.

The biggest musical evolutionary leap to swallow, for me at least, is the song "Baby Lulu". It starts off with the strangest vocals that one could easily believe were just weirdness for the sake of weirdness but then the song picks up and moves around in entirely new places music hasn't explored. I think it (and most of the album "Sound Dust" from where it was pulled) is the true, long-awaited follow-up to Sargeant Peppers and Pet Sounds. I just think they're on an entirely different musical level than what has come before. I know people have said that about Radiohead and Radiohead are fine but Stereolab leave traditional blues patterns (the basis of most modern rock) behind and go to new places in a very interesting and catchy way. "Double Rocker" is a great second most groundbreaking but Baby Lulu is the real gem in this set for me and my favorite on the album.

So ABC = definitely a great collection. Whats next for the Stereolab collector? It's hard to beat "Chemical Chords", which has such a positive vibe, especially on the song "Neon Beanbag".

Awesome cd has cool cuts that are rare and if your a long time fan of the groop this will add to your collection.