Serene Velocity: A Stereolab Anthology [Original recording remastered]

Stereolab | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 29, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000GH3PPY
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,909 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #77 in Music > World Music > South & Central America > General
  • #78 in Music > World Music > South & Central America > General AAS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice compilation, September 4, 2006

By 

Brandon R. Lee (Charleston, SC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serene Velocity: A Stereolab Anthology (Audio CD)

Stereolab has always created nice mix albums which show the flexible nature of their creative gift. The length and breadth of their continuing exploration of musical potential can be both awe-inspiring and intimdating at the same time - where does one start if you haven't been there from the begining? This mix feels like a even more edited release of "Oscillons From the Anti-Sun", bringing samples from the past and combining them with the current, but on one disc instead of three (no DVD either). The liner notes are well written, taking into account both the perspectives of the critics and the fans, and provides encouragement to those who want to delve deeper into the work of this phenomenal band. A must have for those of us who want all Stereolab releases (a next to impossible goal), and a great collection of fan favorites. Upbeat rock, mellow electronica, smooth jazz, all incorporating the famous wit and political perspective of one of the 90's greatest bands.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A non-essential - unless you're a novice, April 16, 2010

By 

Edwin W. Skinner, Jr. "kindofblue" (Rocky Mount, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Serene Velocity: A Stereolab Anthology (Audio CD)

I have to confess, I purchased this CD to make my Stereolab collection a little more complete. If you are a Stereolab nut, then you know how difficult - almost impossible - it is to own everything they put out. But, I make the effort . . .

This is a nice collection of cuts covering the band's time on Elektra records - so it is by no means career-spanning or comprehensive. If you are a Stereolab novice, this is a nice set to start with.

If you are an aspiring completist - like me - then you just have to have it. I will give a brief kudos to amazon marketplace seller goHastings for offering this disc at an unbelievably low price, making my decision to get the disc a little easier. The copy I got is apparently a cut-out or was once a promotional copy (it has the tell-tale drilled hole on the spine) but hey, for $3.99, I can hardly complain. Everything else with the disc is as it should be.

Bottom line? A nice collection that works for both the completist and the novice. Check the amazon marketplace for inexpensive copies . . .

5.0 out of 5 stars A great compilation at a great price--what's not to like?, July 9, 2010

By 

doctormanny (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Serene Velocity: A Stereolab Anthology (Audio CD)

I don't know how I missed them before, but I only got turned on to Stereolab earlier this year (2010), when I happened to come across one of their CDs at a local library. I now have over 10 of their CDs, and "Serene Velocity/A Stereolab Anthology" is one of my favorites. This compilation has 16 tracks that come from recordings that span a wide range of time, and thus it offers a glimpse into several of the various permutations of Stereolab's sound. All of the songs on "Serene Velocity" are good, and some of them, in my opinion, are among their best (e.g., Jenny Ondioline, French Disko, Ping Pong, Wow and Flutter, and Metronomic Underground). The music of Stereolab is hard to describe, and it definitely changed over time, but it includes elements of electronica, dream pop, bossa nova, fusion jazz, and lounge, with a lot of French chanteuse vocals on top. The mellow groove that they create on many of the songs can be quite hypnotic. Definitely a great CD, especially for people who want to get introduced to the music of Stereolab. Be forewarned that this music can be very addictive. Highly recommended.