Customer Reviews

Sound-Dust

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After "First of the Microbe Hunters," I thought the groop had hit a stylistic block. There were a few good songs on that release, but overall the band was treading water. However, Stereolab have completely redeemed themselves with "Sound-Dust," which is IMHO their best since "Emperor Tomato Ketchup." Fans of their earlier stuff may be disappointed - the primitive, analog synths have entirely disappeared. Their new sound is much lighter, almost orchestral, with great vocals and lots of horns, flute, and electric piano. As usual, they plunder melodies from the 60s and 70s, combined with minimalist percussion reminiscent of Steve Reich. The album is extremely diverse while at the same time completely coherent. However, what most strikes me about this album is the song-writing - there are lots of great, unpredictable song shifts, catchy lyrics, and weird melodies that worm their way into your brain and won't get out. For example, check out the way "Space Moth" begins like a movie soundtrack before abruptly shifting into a disco number, or the country guitar that suddenly intrudes into "Captain Easychord," or the way Laetitia manages to sound earnest while singing the lyrics: "You're not a doctor, you're a wanker." And is that emotion creeping into Laetitia's voice on "The Black Arts?" Lots of fun and highly recommended.

Ever have one of those albums?
An album where you spin it a few times and a few songs might sink-in, but the majority seem wrapped in gauze? Then-- ONE DAY -- it hits you, the genius behind the songs, the hidden melodies, the amazing musicianship?

That was my experience with this album. It took 2 years of (very) sporadic listenings to suddenly be hit in the head with just how flat-out AMAZING this album is. A few songs are easy and accessible (ie. "Captain Easychord"), while others may take a few listens to *really* appreciate--- but it's worth the effort. (as a comparison, I found "Margerine Eclipse" very easy to get-into, while it took a while for "Dots & Loops" and "Cobra & Phases" to really sink-in).

Very highly recommended, once it hits you, it will stay with you and grow-stronger with repeat-listens.

Not sure what some of the reviewer's here are talking about. This is simply put, a fantastic album. If you consider yourself one of those who can see the rich brilliance of stereolab's offerings throughout the years, then you've got to get it. It flows, it's moody, funky, and lovely.
Baby Lulu is currently my fav, but they're all complex and original enough that it takes me a while to realize each songs awesomeness. Newbies can try Emperor Tk or Dots and Loops, but real fans shouldn't miss this.

CD
Prior to purchasing "Sound-Dust", I read several reviews that hinted at Stereolab treading old ground. I'm not sure exactly what these snobs were expecting, but what I got is a beautiful, magical album that gets better and better every time I hear it.

Now I'm not going to lie, the album won't surprise you too much if you're familiar with their work of the late 90's and early aughts. But they add so much to it. There are moments of pure audio bliss. I liked this album quite a bit upon my first listen, but there were also some things that disappointed me. The vocals sounded forced in spots, and I didn't like some of the arrangements. Upon repeated listenings, everything blends seamlessly. The songs are beautiful, complex, just...lush. And not cheesey either. How a band can have so many "la la la's" in the background and not sound corny at all is truly amazing. A buncha stuff going on and still completely accessible.

I listen to everything from country to metal but I'm very picky about every category. I've never heard a band like this before. Their music appeals to me on almost every level of musical enjoyment. They don't quite do for me what good old-fashioned punk rock will (though their live shows are just as fun) but it's as if Stereolab fused together all these kinds of music that some might categorize as "background" and demanded attention from it.

If you like Stereolab or adventurous music at all, I can't imagine that you won't enjoy this CD. I guess in any review Stereolab would be categorized as "alternative" and I suppose that's as good a grouping as any, but still doesen't do the groop justice. No songs particularly stand out. I like some more than others but if you like it, you'll like all of it. This disc might be my favorite of theirs. Don't pass this one up.

This album has some gorgeous music. I have 6 of Stereolab's albums, and I love this one and Margerine Eclipse the best. The songs just flow and sway into one another. I am surprised anyone would have a criticism of this album and think it boring. It is anything but that! #3 is a personal favorite!

But now I do. I would say there are 9 good songs on this album. For a couple of years I would have said there were 2 good songs on here, Naught More Terrific than Man and Nothing to do with Me.

But really listening to this, I just have to shake my head at the sheer genius of Tim Gane. It really is a shame that such crap is on the top 40 these days when there is so much better out there. Like this.

Great music is still being produced folks. It is just much more difficult to find than in the 1970's where great songs made the radio.

In my opinion, the output of Stereolab in 1996-2001 ranks right up there with any rock group in the last 35 years. Bar none. It is just really too bad that nobody has heard of this great group.

You may get this and scratch your head wondering about the hype. It may take years to really appreciate this album. I have to tell you...when I listen to this group, I don't feel like playing guitar because I realize I will never posses the sheer genius that is Tim Gane.

Unlike Dots and Loops, Sound Dust doesn't reach out and grab you at first. The album takes many listens to appreciate, but once you do, you'll realize it's a masterpiece. Microbe Hunters was the same way...hard to absorb at first, but eventually rewarding. Aside from the first track (a repetitive instrumental), every song is pure quality. Buy it, listen to it several times.....you won't be disappointed!!!

I bought this album as soon as it was released. I was disappointed by "First of The Microbe Hunters". It didn't stand up to "Cobra" in a creative sense and sounded slapped together. But I was amazed at "sound Dust". Not only was it pure ear candy, but it made me feel. There was a sonic warmth and punchy "fatness" that comes only from using tube preamps in the studio, and it was clearly there. "Nothing To Do With Me" is an emotional masterpiece. There's something almost epic about the backing vocals in "Les Bons Bons Des Raisons". Yes, many of the songs are straightforward in structure, but I think so many fans are unhappy with this album because all they want is "Dots and Loops" in a different package. If you want an artist that gives you the same product with new cover art every six months, try Britney Spears.

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I first dropped Sound Dust into my CD player; the last album 'First of the Microbe Hunters' was a little disappointing from a progressive point of view (I thought it wasn't quite as well thought out as 'Cobra and Phases'). However, I was pleasantly surprised upon my first listening of the album. The first track comes on slow, but you get to hear a prevriew of some of the instrumentation that Stereolab is to employ for the rest of the album. The second song, 'Spacemoth', is by far the greatest song on the album, with layers upon layers of brass and wind instruments, along with Stereolab's usual melange of analog keyboards and synths. It really does signify a change in Stereolab's overall approach to compositions, arrangements, and producing techniques. Other songs like 'Captain Easy Chord', and 'Baby Lulu' will give the listener a general impression that their more sophistacated style of writing on this album can only progress to nothing less than a sonic masterpiece, like Brian Wilson's 'Pet Sounds', in the near future. 'Les Bon Bons Des Raisons' is a nice capper on the album, which also gives a little taste of what was to be expected of such future releases as 'Instant O In the Universe', and 'Magerine Eclipse'. Although Stereolab may not be a member of the contemporary "pop-music" spotlight, their music most certainly surpasses most of the drivel that the music industry releases as "music". I would most definitely recommend this album to anyone who can appreciate the progression of such a talented group of individuals.

One of the best, otherworldly bands EVER. Still hard for me to describe their sound to this day. I have been listening to the 'Lab for 8 years and they still impress me like no other. This does happen to be one of the more easygoing albums by this band, but they have matured in the way that I hoped they would. What's that, there are even some "normal" song lyrics on this album? "I need somebody/I feel so lonely/somebody to share/my scarcity?" Each track sounds so different from its predecessor. When 'Cobra and Phases' came out people didn't have much good to say about it (although I think its one of their best also), 'nothing I haven't already heard before.' But 'Sound-Dust' does cover a lot of new ground, even for a band that has been around for a long time. After the tragic death of Mary Hansen, it feels strange to hear 'Captain Easychord', which is a celebratory song, because you hear them sing, 'let live what must live/die what must die/birth comes with a death/comes with a rise.'
I am lucky enough to have seen them twice, they are even better live. If you like them live too, you should check out the album 'Radio One: ABC Sessions'. This is the last studio album with the late Mary Hansen (2002), Rest In Peace.