Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It may take getting use to, but its well worth it., February 3, 2001
Listening to this CD is like meeting an old friend and wondering later why you lost touch with them. On my first few listens of this CD I thought I had bought a real stinker and put it aside for quite awhile. Then, after listening to 'Mars Audiac Quintet' again recently (which is a great 'Lab' CD!) I decided to give 'Space Age' another try. Well, the second time around was a pleasant surprise and I'm glad I found this music again. Clearly first impressions are not always the most accurate.There are many things that I now like about this CD. The CD is organized like a vinyl record album with the music divided into Sides One and Two. Side One juxtaposes several beautiful vocal melodies with quirky yet very pleasing techno melodies. 'Avant Garde M.O.R.', 'The Groop Play Chord X' and 'Ronco Symphony' have great vocalizations that remind me of the band 'The Cowboy Junkies'. 'Bachelor Pad Music' Mellow' and 'Foamy' versions are techno instrumentals interspersed between the afore mentioned vocal tracks. Side Two then beautifully blends Laetitia Sadier's great vocals with the bands techno drone with wonderful results such as in the CD's last track 'We're Not Adult Oriented (Neu Wave Live)'. This CD accomplished a lot with only 28 minutes of music, but I think every minute is excellent. What I also like about this CD - and the band in general - is the titles of their songs. They give the music odd titles that evoke a 2001 Space Odyssey mood. I also like the mod techno computer artwork that adorns the CD case of this and other albums like 'Dots and Loops' and 'Mars Audiac Quintet'. Again it evokes a fun retro Space Age kind of theme.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
definitive stereolab that gives me chills, August 23, 1998
By A Customer
The opening track, "Avant Garde M.O.R." is an absolute classic. The words: "Now it is the time to say no to the war. Yes we can stop them before it gets too far." In the break is the wooziest, lovliest organ-bending melody in the world, that will make your heart transcend pain. Then the closing assurance: "Can't you see the power is within us. It can take us beyond any bounds." The two instrumental tracks entitled "Space age Bachelor Pad Music" Take organ-chopping to new levels. The "(Mellow)" version is insistently, devotedly, maddeningly repetitive and bright, the other "(Foamy)" version gurgles like some secret electric toothbrush or geyser in a pit of mollasses and soda water. We're talking a half-dozen analog synthesizers here, and they are beautiful. Throughout this and all other Stereolab recordings are messages of inspiration, revolution, youth-energy, love, and integrity. These are not flippant hipsters looking to cash in. These are political aesthetes who want to make a difference by making beautiful, powerful music.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Less Engaging that the Rest of their Work, December 21, 1998
By A Customer
Stereolab is probably one of the most original and daring groups of the 90's, but this record is not as good as the rest of their work. Though it has sweet rock melodies and dynamic songs, it would be a good Stereolab record if it would be their first. Is as if they had lost their inspiration in the process of making this album. Fortunately, it came before masterpieces like "Emperor Tomato Ketchup" (their best so far) and the underrated "Dots and Loops". If people say that this album is better than "Dots", they are overrating this album.
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Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.
by Stereolab 
