Customer Reviews

Oscillons From The Anti-Sun

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am so thankful to this collective of musicians that words cannot describe how. I'm thankful that they finally got around to releasing all their EPs in one inexpensive box set (about $25), thus sparing me the hundreds of dollars I had already planned to spend in trying to add their wonderful EPs to my collection.

There is something about this band that just makes me glad to be a music fan...I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it's because they are one of a select few bands that actually knows how to make serious music fun to listen to. One can't help but think that these people sure are having a lot of fun creating this stuff. This is why Stereolab will always be one of the best bands that came out of the twentieth century (I'm quite sure I'm not the only one here who thinks so).

As you may already know, "Oscillons..." includes three discs with music and one DVD of their "Promos (they're not music videos per se)" and "Live TV performances". I like to think that the first disc is mostly made up of their 'ultra-melodic,' 'audio-orgasmic' classics like "Wow and Flutter", "Flourescences", "Cybele's Reverie", and "Ping-Pong". Disc two showcases Stereolab in their 'ultra-cool' Ambient/Lounge mode with tracks like "Moodles", "Les Aimes Des Memes", "Canned Candies", "Escape Pod (From the World of Medical Observations)", and "You Used to Call Me Sadness". Disc three comprises mostly of a mix of their experimental stuff and re-workings (alternate versions) of their classics. Examples of tracks in this category are "Brigitte", "The Free Design",
"Long Life Love (this song makes me miss Mary Hansen's sweet voice terribly)", "Jenny Ondioline (alternate version), and the 'very fitting' end to the set, "Soop Groove".

Some may not agree with me here, but I find it EXTREMELY HARD to find a weak track in this entire set. Indeed songs like "Nihilist Assault Group", "Golden Ball", and "Transona Five" may be annoying to most listeners who try to stay away from Stereolab's early works, but they might grow on you eventually. I see them as some of their most experimental tracks that draw influences from Neu! (in case you didn't know, Neu! was a cool Krautrock band from the 70s. Think 'Sonic Youth' meets 'Pink Floyd' and/or 'Kraftwerk').

As a release, I'm going to go out on a limb here and proclaim that this is by far Stereolab's BEST release to date. As an album, it still does well but their 1997 release "Dots and Loops" fares better, due to its cohesiveness. In "Oscillons From The Anti-Sun", the styles of the songs vary a whole lot. But the fact that every single track is 'beyond wonderful' still makes this set worth owning...not only by fans of 'The Groop", but by every single human being interested in great music.

Let's hope to hear more good stuff from this wonderful band in the future. I feel as long as the writing team of Gane/Sadier keep doing what they're doing, there's no need to worry.

but that won't prevent me for giving this compilation 5 stars. It does bug me when bands seem to "reward" the loyal fans who have been paying import fees and scouring the internet for rare singles by releasing them (finally) in the US. Couldn't they have just released them in the US in the first place and saved me the headache and cash"? No matter. Stereolab could do anything and, being the kind of fan that I am, I'd run out and buy a few copies. Still, this compilation is the kind of thing that even the most casual of Stereolab listener (or people who don't even own a stereolab cd) should own. Now, I'll be buying it for the DVD with videos and tv appearances, since I know I'll be delighted with the video work of such an influential and unique band. I've seen a few on fuzzy tapes, and they are some of the more colorful and inventive videos made in the 90s (think more along the lines of sixties experimental films rather than true "videos") and the band always sounds spectacular in their tv appearances. But the singles are really what makes this cd such a treat. This compilation is every cd or single that the band has ever released - some only sold at the live shows - and is pretty comprehensive (it does seem to be missing the material from the 7" free witch and no bra queen) but it does chart the evolution of the band over the last 10 years or so. It includes a spectacular 10 minute version of Nihilist Assault Group - found on the Wow and Flutter single and, most recent, the songs canned candies and moodles from the Captain Easychord single. Still, there's plenty more that could have bumped this up to 4 or 5 discs - there are plenty of live performances, singles, peel sessions, and video floating around. It definitely leaves room for an even more spectacular follow-up to this collection. Enjoy!

Ok, I kid - it's actually "catch up" for all those of us who discovered Stereolab later rather than sooner. I'm sure I'm not alone - my first Stereolab CD was 2004's sublime Margarine Eclipse, which prompted me to search for the earlier CDs and EPs. My advice to fellow latecomers: dive into this box set! As other reviewers noted, this is a great collection.

A few thoughts about the DVD included in this set: one of the first things I heard about Stereolab was that they were exceptional in concert, and I was disappointed that I could not find any DVDs of their shows. The DVD in this collection has eight "promos" followed by three live performances from UK television. With the exception of Jenny Ondioline, the promos are not typical music videos. They are more like surrealistic dreamscapes (think Dali, backed by synthesizers, broadcast on early PCs - a hoot) set to music. Next, the first live video is a superb, driving rendition of French Disko, gone a bit trippy with TV special effects (think Austin Powers). And then come two gems from the Later...with Jools Holland show (ca. 1996). For all those of us who were late to the party, here's proof that Stereolab -- in addition to being electronic, cerebral, political, carefully crafted, etc., etc. -- are terrific live. These performances of Cybele's Reverie and Les Yper Sound are a great glimpse of what we missed, including the late, lamented Mary Hansen. We can only hope that there are more live performances in the vault and destined for future DVDs, and look forward to the band's future tours. In the meantime, I highly recommend the videos and three CDs in this box set.

A final note for the old-time Stereolab fans who already own the EPs collected here, but not the Jenny Ondioline promo: there's a moment in that video, when the always serious Laetitia Sadier starts to smile and turns away from the camera and toward Mary, who's smiling back...talk about a perfect moment. As a previous reviewer said, Mary, rest in peace. And long live Stereolab!

This four-disc mini-set could be considered a greatest hits compilation as well as a collection of EP's, rare tracks and all-around strong tracks from studio albums. A very, very fun and interesting listen from end to end, the band took great care in compiling the play list.

Starting off with the beautiful "Fluorescences," one can tell right away that Stereolab is a band of substance and quirky fun both; crafting sophisticated indie-pop stylings with odd bleeps and bloops that have defined their sound over the years. As head-bobbing as it is smart and simply wonderful, Stereolab's history is defined well in this petite collection.

The DVD is a welcome addition, bringing several "videos" and a few live performances to the set. I'd personally want to see interviews and maybe a historical look at the band, but then again, being a fan, I want it all.

I'd recommend this cute, little box set to anyone, be they fan or new to "the groop." However, beware the packaging. It's a tough box to open. *laughing*

Rest in peace, Mary.

From their very beginning Stereolab has collected "singles" and EPs onto album-sized releases. In fact, their very first album, "Switched On Stereolab", was such a release.

After a few regular albums* they again compiled non-album cuts on "Refried Ectoplasm" (subtitled "Switched On, Vol. 2"). Then, a few years later, the double-CD "Aluminum Tunes" (aka "Switched On, Vol. 3) presented many more non-album cuts.

Now this fine tradition has been repeated with the amazing collection "Oscillons from the Anti-Sun." It's about time!

Like many 'Lab fans I have tried to collect all the past singles and EPs but with limited success. While all of Stereolab's regular albums have remained in print, many singles and EPs have not.

About one third of these songs, or at least the versions represented here, are entirely new to me. This is very exciting, especially since our much-missed Mary Hansen is heard throughout. It's like having the impossible: new releases featuring Mary's sweet voice.

Anyone who doesn't like this collection doesn't like Stereolab. I mean, don't you get sick of short-sighted people who complain that every new 'Lab album doesn't sound like "Mars Audiac Quintet"? Growth always means leaving the slow ones behind.

*(By the way, an Album is a collection of music. A 12", 33 1/3 RPM vinyl phonograph record is called an LP. I only state this to clarify things for the kind of people who call video game cartridges "tapes" and who try to re-wind their DVDs.)

I want to add one thing. Stereolab has a player who I don't see getting enough credit: drummer Andy Ramsay. While the other players are making all kinds of experimental zooms, gleeps and boings, Andy keeps up a solid rock beat that ultimately is the only thing keeping this band on the ground. His drumming is some of the most appropriate and tasteful anywhere.

'Oscillons...' gives fans a real treat, a three audio disc and one DVD box set. Total of 35 songs,of which 28 will be new to most Stereolab followers EXCEPT for those die-hards who put out big $$ to purchase past import releases. Despite it's cheap-o packaging, this box set is very nice to have. Most of the tracks are lesser known singles and B-sides. The DVD is great, with it's live performances, video clips and other visual surprises. Should appeal to fans of Air, Yo La Tengo, Spacemen 3, Mouse On Mars and Tortoise.

This box set is a welcome addition for the die-hards AND casuals, and it's nice having all of these EP's and singles in one place. I have no idea why others are having such a hard time opening their boxes however; it's really not that hard! And aside from one tiny little split in the corner, my box seems really sturdy and finely made.

The sticker set is a wonderful addition to this box collection, so make sure and get your box set now before it goes into a second pressing and they disappear! The set includes eight (8) 4x4 inch stickers with great art work. Suitable for framing! At just around twenty bucks for 35 tracks and a DVD, you just can't go wrong with this. Even if you've not heard one single lick of a stereolab song and if you're a semi-casual fan of electronic music, try them out!

...but elaborate a little bit on both. The music on this is beyond cool, I can't say enough about it, so I'll leave it at that.

But... the packaging is *extremely* tough to open - mine's already pocked with fingernail marks from trying to pry it open, and the cardboard box seems to be splitting at some of the outside joints. And I've had it for all of 18 hours. It's not enough really to knock a star off of my review, but it's more than a little irritating.

And yes, like reviewer #2 said, it is a bit frustrating now for me to look over the hundreds of dollars worth of import cd's that have now been rendered obsolete by about $23. Have I had $100's worth of enjoyment over the years that I would have otherwise spent without this music? Well, that's debatable, but I'll say "yes, I have."

The stickers of all the various single covers are very cool - I'm tempted to plaster my guitar case with them, but then they'd get messed up. What's an OC (obsessive completist) to do???

You get the following EPs worth of music: Jenny Ondioline (1993), Wow And Flutter (1994), Ping Pong (1994), Flourescences (1996), Cybele's Reverie (1996), Miss Modular (1997), The Free Design (1999), and Captain Easychord (2001) plus the US single version of The Noise Of Carpet, an alternate version of Jenny Ondioline originally released as a tour single, and an unreleased LP version of Ping Pong. Whew... but it's not over, you also get a DVD of videos and UK TV appearances, AND stickers of all the EP covers. All for 18 bucks or so. What a fantastic deal, now I don't have to spend time and money tracking down these EPs on eBay. Thanks Stereolab!

The music is wonderful, often with more of an experimental or rougher edge than their albums. I haven't found a weak track yet; often I find myself saying "damn that's amazing" Sonically you couldn't ask for a better mastering job. Oscillons from the Anti-Sun is not only an excellent album in its own right but also acts as a kind of career retrospective showing both Stereolab's versitality and purity of vision throughout the years.

Now everything wasn't all sunshine and lollipops with Oscillons from the Anti-Sun, there were a few things I didn't like. The songs weren't sequenced by EP or release date but by feel. Although the sequencing works, I still find it mildly irritating. But I ripped this thing to my computer and can sequence the songs any way I care to. Number two is the cardboard CD case is almost impossible to open without ripping it. I had to struggle for some time before the damn thing finally bent to my will. Number three is that while personnel listings are given for each EP, none of the EPs are mentioned by name but by manufacturers number and date: "Originally released as D-UHF-D26, etc." But in the light of what you get for your money, at worst they're minor annoyances. For the Stereolab fan who hasn't collected these EPs already this is a no brainer. What are you waiting for? Click add to your shopping cart now.

yeah, so i'm not a huge stereolab fan. i picked this up on the strength of a few reviews i read, and it was $17.99. it's actually one of the better buys i've made in a long time. (much better than that other purchase i made with the title that x&y, but i digress.) anyway, i really dig 'emperor tomato ketchup,' but some of the other stuff i heard from them wasn't doing it for me. but i have to say the boxset is GREAT! the sequencing could've been improved slightly, and there are some clunkers (mostly on the first disc), and that's why this isn't a 5-star review. other than that, i'm completely happy with the stereolab. i think that's how i prefer stereolab, in boxset form, much like belle and sebastian in ep form. i don't want to hear their a-material, give me leftovers anyday!