Customer Reviews

Refried Ectoplasm (Switched on Vol. 2)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

REFRIED ECTOPLASM is fantastic and propulsive, with the "motorik" Krautrock beat and French pop vocals that won't quit. This is high energy optimistic stuff -- simple Situationist garage-pop from 1968, perfect for dancing in that commune on the barricades. I think it's what Stereolab does best. Track 9, "Animal or Vegetable" is a long psychedelic jam that breaks up the flow in an interesting way, and "John Cage Bubblegum" is, indeed, a great pop song that in another dimension conquered the charts. Fascinating that a retro sound can sound more futuristic than the latest thing...

I don't like the turn Stereolab's music took after EMPEROR TOMATO KETCHUP ('96), starting with DOTS AND LOOPS ('97). My favorites are MARS AUDIAC QUINTET ('94) and this one, REFRIED ECTOPLASM ('95), with strong songs, beats and melodies. For more abstraction, I'll listen to avant jazz/improv or contemporary classical.

(verified purchase from Zia Records in Tucson)

A wonderful mix of Stereolab's most minimal and melodic stuff. More than any other older album, this collection of b-sides and rarities goes the furthest in anticipating what they have started to do with their last two albums. And let's not forget the Marxism! Really, I can't think of a better album of theirs that will let you in on all the various threads that run throughout their music. Some lengthy tracks, some short ones, instrumentals, some singing in French. Where is the lift, the hope and the struggle? Right here.

This collection of earlier Stereolab recordings is well worth getting for any of its tracks. But most notably it includes the remarkable track John Cage Bubblegum (impossible to get from any other reasonable source) which is the best showcase for the poppier/noisier side of Stereolab, that the band ever recorded. Wonderful, invigorating listening.

While its important for fans of the Groop to have a good understanding of the development of their sound and styles and how their varioius songs evolved, this compilation (of sorts) is a rockin' album on its own. These songs can all be found elsewhere in one form or another, but its nice to have a single CD to pop in the car and drive around with. Plus, many of (IMHO) their best songs can be found on this album...John Cage Bubblegum has more lift and energy than any other Stereolab song and always gets the crowd goin' live. French Disko is the ultimate pep rally song for the masses and gets the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. Eloge d'Eros is often overlooked, but even the proletariat need a poppy love song once and a while, oh yeah! Really, if you're already into Stereolab, this is a good album to have. If you're new to the Groop, this a great starting point to understanding the early years.

CD
This compilation of mostly non-LP tracks is from a phase of Stereolab's lengthy and diverse career that I am least familiar with. However, I love it and would highly recommend it, even to casual fans. This recording, along with "Mars Audiac Quintet", shows the evolution of their unique sound. The title of track #10, "John Cage Bubblegum" epitomizes that sound, from their Kraut-rock beginnings, to their lush, multi-layered, contemporary jams. No poor material here. Some standouts include, "French Disko", "Mountain", "Lo Boob Oscillator", track #10, and a countrified version of "Tone Burst". This disc has a little something for everyone, sans Joseph McCarthy.

3 1/2

You gotta hand it to the 'Lab. For an early compilation with b-sides to get such critical success, something must have been truly right with their deceptively simple suave synthesis. Many songs on here can't compare with what extended elegance further afforded, though the underlying fervor for hypnosis rarely felt more vital.

This collection of b-sides and rare tracks really makes for an excellent record. It has their typical earlier sound (before the more synth driven Dots and Loops)which to me has trace elements of trance rock, but prior to Emperor Tomato Ketcup. If you loved the Transit and Random Noise album you will defintely enjoy this record.

For record collectors the delight of getting small press releases with hand-painted sleeves and other sundry delights is surely some kind of psychological obsession (guilty!). This compilation is a treat to those like myself who have not gone to expense and trouble of hunting down and acquiring the masses of limited edition vinyl that Stereolab puts out. Refried Ectoplasm collects many of the impossibly hard to find Stereolab releases from the 1990s and what's better is you don't have to bankrupt yourself to get them this way.

Much of the music fits the guitar driven drone-pop the band are well known for but there are other surprises that hint at what was to follow this release. "Farfisa" is like a quirky folk song, "French Disko" is a knockout rock track and the fabulous "Lo Boob Oscillator" is a boyant 1960's bubblegum track. This is not my favourite compilation (Aluminium Tunes offers a lot more) but is an important document showcasing the niche craved out by the groop in the early to mid-1990's .

This album is worth the purchase just for "Lo Boob Oscillator" which is my favorite song of all-time. Poppy, keyboardy, fun. The rest of the album is excellent as well.