Released: 1993
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Pop, Art Pop
First Listen
This mini-LP finds Stereolab pushing their sound forward again, closer to the futuristic lounge pop influences that they would become known for. Entertaining, but they have yet to come into their own in a fully satisfying way.
Released: 2015
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Rock
First Listen
Wow! This is the most bowled over I've been by a first listen in quite a while! Like the title suggests, this is a punchy, never-boring album that is a crazy-quilt of different genres. For instance, I hear indie pop, power pop, punk, country, spirituals, doo-wop, jazz, indietronica, and indie rock all making appearances in 43 quick minutes. The songwriting is very good, frequently witty and almost always packed with raw emotion. Furman discusses autobiographical themes such as his queer and gender-fluid identities and his struggles with depression and alcoholism in songs that are both poignant and very catchy. He's heavily influenced by Lou Reed and, surprisingly, an Orthodox Jew by choice and not upbringing. In any case, it's already high on my 2015 chart and I encourage more people to try it out!
Released: 2014
RYM Primary Genres: Power Pop, Indie Pop
Re-Listen
A minor letdown. This band's shtick isn't really doing it for me anymore. They were one of my favorites but their albums aren't holding up too well to repeated listening. Pleasant, but I wish the hooks were less oblique and the songwriting was more personal than it is affected and peppered with non sequiturs. _________________ Join us in the canon game :) / Add me on RYM
baystateoftheartNeil Young as a butternut squashProfile Massachusetts
Released: 1993
RYM Primary Genres: Experimental Rock, Noise Pop, Art Pop
First Listen
Another step forward for Stereolab, much of the noise is now more interesting, and this is the first release I'd heard that made me anticipate a second listen. More to discover here, although there are still some irritating segments dragging it down.
Released: 2014
RYM Primary Genres: Southern Hip Hop
First Listen
Skilled TDE rapper and probably my third favorite after Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock. He has the charisma to carry a full-length and the beats here are laid-back, top notch, and an excellent fit for his flow. Like the title indicates, it's still unfinished-sounding and an appetizer for something better.
Released: 1994
RYM Primary Genres: Art Pop, Indie Pop, Experimental Rock
First Listen
Finally, some great hooks to add to the groop's (sic) repertoire. "Wow And Flutter" and "Ping Pong" are standouts. Another step up, although it still is missing something with some aimless sections.
Released: 1995 (material originally released 1992-1995)
RYM Primary Genres: Noise Pop, Experimental Rock
First Listen
As one might expect from a non-LP leftovers compilation, it's scattered, but strikes gold several times. Definitely worth a try and better than the first installment of Switched On.
A magical imaginary soundtrack to a love affair. I would think this was heavily influenced by Mayfield. It evokes a sense of wonder throughout, and the standout tracks are the ones with vocals.
Released: 2015
RYM Primary Genres: Slowcore, Indie Rock
First Listen
This is a very finely-crafted album in all aspects, including lyrics. I didn't enjoy it as much as it deserved because I'm not a huge fan of slowcore yet.
Released: 1996
RYM Primary Genres: Art Pop, Experimental Rock
First Listen
Finally, I've reached a Stereolab album that I enjoy almost unreservedly! The lyrics and vocals are better than ever, and they're pushed more to the front of the mix. The sonic variety is great -- I hear funk and reggae influences seeping in on the basslines of a few tracks, and I like the lead guitars more than in prior albums.
Released: 1997
RYM Primary Genres: Art Pop, Electronic
First Listen
This is a close contender with its predecessor. I love what they've done with the sound, making it even poppier and incorporating elements from a range of genres including MPB. At the end, the drums get satisfyingly harder and the instrumentals would even fit well in left-field hip-hop. The lyrics might be a slight step back, and it gets just a little too lounge-y in the middle.
Released: 1977
RYM Primary Genres: Pop Rock, Soft Rock
Re-Listen
The hooks are there and I can see why this album is revered, but I still don't really connect with any of it. Seems a bit contrived and hackneyed. Prefer the previous one.
Released: 1995 (Distant Plastic Trees 1991, The Wayward Bus 1992)
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Pop
First Listen
~played for me by NTDM~
I was kind of bummed when I heard this. I thought, why does such a revelatory, fantastic, magical album peter out into such mediocre atmospheric indie? Then I learned it was two albums smushed together. The Wayward Bus, which is the first half, is great. I look forward to listening again!
Released: 2012
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Pop
Re-Listen
This EP is probably my favorite release of theirs. It wasn't quite as good as I remembered, but it was still really good. The original "Trees And Flowers" is better, but I have Dum Dum Girls to thank for turning me on to Strawberry Switchblade!
Released: 1968
RYM Primary Genres: Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop
Re-Listen
It's always fun to revisit such an enduring favorite. I used to have a poster of this cover on my wall freshman year of college. These are simply some of the best melodies and harmonies. It's maybe not quite as great as I recalled, though.
Released: 1993 (material originally released 1961-1972)
RYM Primary Genres: Soul, Southern Soul
Re-Listen
This is the incoming #3 on the next, more honest update of my overall, and it sounded great as always! Here's what I have to say in my sandbox chart:
baystateoftheart wrote:
This choice in particular requires some explanation. Yes, it's not a proper LP. But the Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section created the greatest backdrops in soul music history (sorry Memphis), Rhino makes the best compilations, and this one in particular is very well-curated. Many of the songs on here are either not well-known or not on great albums themselves, which makes trying it even more worth your while. Furthermore, all the tracks are 100/100 with only two exceptions, which are both still good ("Sweet Soul Music" and "Making Love (At The Dark End Of The Street").
This album opened so many doors in my personal exploration of soul, which is now one of my favorite genres. If I had to pick one album to introduce someone to soul, this would be it. Finally, the replay value and versatility of this compilation are fantastic. I have commuted more to this album than to any other. I have also made out more to this album than to any other.
Released: 1964
RYM Primary Genres: Girl Group, Brill Building
Re-Listen
The Wall of Sound is one of my favorite sounds, and despite the sappy melodrama of the lyrics, I still love it. I always think of Brian Wilson pulling over on the side of the road in tears of ecstasy as he heard "Be My Baby" for the first time. And it makes me smile every time Ronnie's New York accent breaks through. The fake live audience in "What'd I Say" is also amusing.
Released: 2014
RYM Primary Genres: Indie Pop, Twee Pop
Re-Listen
I had to introduce the twee-est person I know to one of my favorite twee records. This time "Party Police" really stood out to me, although it's gorgeous front-to-back.
Released: 1992
RYM Primary Genres: East Coast Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop, Boom Bap, Jazz Rap
Re-Listen
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth > DJ Premier & Guru
In overall body of work, Gang Starr obviously has an edge, but the consistency of these two working together was unparalleled imo. This album has their most iconic tracks and has perfect jazzy beats (and even some Sister Nancy on "The Basement"). At 78 minutes, its only weakness is being overlong, which is why I might prefer their preceding EP.
~~~
And here's the update on my Stereolab listening project first-instinct ranking:
1. Emperor Tomato Ketchup
2. Dots And Loops
3. Mars Audiac Quintet
4. Refried Ectoplasm
5. Transient Random-Noise Bursts And Announcements
6. Switched On
7. The Groop Played "Space Age Batchelor Pad Music"
8. Chemical Chords
9. Peng!
10. Low Fi
Next up to hear:
1. Aluminum Tunes
2. Cobra And Phases Group Play Voltage In The Milky Night
3. Sound-Dust
4. Oscillons From The Anti-Sun
5. Instant 0 In The Universe
6. Margerine Eclipse
7. Fab Four Suture _________________ Join us in the canon game :) / Add me on RYM
baystateoftheartNeil Young as a butternut squashProfile Massachusetts
Released: 1998 (material originally released 1994-1997)
RYM Primary Genres: Art Pop, Indie Pop
First Listen
The third installment of Switched On is also the worst. It's the longest, has the weakest material, and has the least variety (almost all mellow). Still, these are great leftovers for any band and display some great melodies.
Released: 1999
RYM Primary Genres: Art Pop, Experimental Rock
First Listen
Stereolab is still in peak form on this release, the third straight LP that I've loved. Excellent and often very inventive compositions that fit together very cohesively. The material is somewhat weaker toward the end, though.
This album is fantastic pop music and everyone should hear it. Unfortunately, this time I wasn't particularly in the right mood to fully appreciate it.
Released: 1991
RYM Primary Genres: Shoegaze, Noise Pop
Re-Listen
Dreamy guitars, obviously. The first time I heard this it felt revelatory. This time, less so. I think hearing it from headphones with full focus could have made a big difference the first time. I was going to put this high up in my next overall update, but I'll need a third listen to properly assess how I feel about it.
Released: 2016
RYM Primary Genres: Electropop, Alternative Dance
First Listen
This is definitely her third best album out of three. My ranking, contrary to most, would be Master Of My Make-Believe > Santogold >> 99¢. The standout tracks on here, which are the two with featured artists, are good, but aren't on the same level as the standouts on her past albums. As usual, it's a fun sonic grab-bag with great production value. There's some smoother pop and even some trap that shows up.
Released: 2001
RYM Primary Genres: Art Pop, Indie Pop
First Listen
This is a really good indie pop album that I would recommend, but it didn't make a lasting impression on me this first time. The hooks weren't quite sticky enough.
Released: 1996
RYM Primary Genres: East Coast Hip Hop, Boom Bap
Re-Listen
I underrated this a lot on first listen. It really is a classic and just a hair behind The Blueprint as his best. My one criticism is I feel there is some less than inspired biting here. There are a couple really clumsy samples of other rap songs, and the "Can I Kick It" interlude is pretty bad.
Released: 2012
RYM Primary Genres: Lo-Fi Indie
First Listen
~played for me by NTDM~
After not liking what I heard of Beach Music, I pretty much wrote off Alex G. Good thing I had someone to introduce me to this, which has a great atmosphere and is one of the better lo-fi records I've heard.
Released: 2003 (material recorded 1984-2002)
RYM Primary Genres: Twee Pop, Lo-Fi Indie
First Listen
~played for me by NTDM~
I like this collection of B-sides and rarities more than their debut, but Beat Happening might not quite be my thing. Too many jarring moments for my taste. I'm going to try another album later.
Released: 2005 (material originally released 1993-2001)
RYM Primary Genres: Art Pop, Indie Pop
First Listen
This is the best Stereolab compilation I've listened to. The material is strong and fills three discs without much trouble. It gives a full picture of their career up to this point and has interesting alternate versions of many of their songs. For instance, "Jenny Ondioline" works much better as a single. Full of earworms and (semi-)hidden gems.
~~~~~
Updated Stereolab Rankings:
1. Emperor Tomato Ketchup 85
2. Dots And Loops 85
3. Cobra And Phases... 85
4. Oscillons From The Anti-Sun 80
5. Sound-Dust 75
6. Mars Audiac Quintet 75
7. Refried Ectoplasm 75
8. Transient Random-Noise... 75
9. Switched On 75
10. The Groop Played... 70
11. Aluminum Tunes 70
12. Chemical Chords 65
13. Peng! 65
14. Low Fi 55 _________________ Join us in the canon game :) / Add me on RYM
baystateoftheartNeil Young as a butternut squashProfile Massachusetts
I don't have the time to properly update this with writeups, and I won't for the foreseeable future. So I'll just maintain this as a straight-up listening log, with substantial comments few and far between. Apologies.
A lot better than I remember. Very uneven but some real standout tracks like "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice", "Daydream", "Summer In The City", "Rain On The Roof", and "Darling Be Home Soon."
This one I'll say more about. I just added it to the database. I found it on RYM. It's a super rare album. Only pressed once on vinyl, not a large batch either, and goes for a bunch of money. Never released on cassette or CD. Not available on streaming sites or for sale digitally. There's also no torrent/zip/etc. online. Six of the seven songs are on YouTube in a playlist. The fifth track, "Everyone Will Know," is not on YouTube but is available as a free mp3 download on various sites.
It's an upbeat, bubblegummy girl group revival record. The seven songs are all covers, but none were big originally, meaning that they arguably record the definitive versions here. The songs also all fit into a fairly cohesive emotional concept, something basically unheard of in the original wave of girl group albums. This is short and very very sweet.
I think SuedeSwede, CryingGameDahlin, and Jimmy Dread might like this, and probably others as well.
Maybe try taking an album that intrigues you, listen to it three or four times, and then try to explain what it is about that album you enjoyed, and perhaps what didn't quite do it for you. It would make for a much more interesting read. _________________ 2021 in full effect. Come drop me some recs. Y'all know what I like.
baystateoftheartNeil Young as a butternut squashProfile Massachusetts
I know it's been forever since I posted in here. If anyone's interested, I started a new music diary over at RYM (in part so it can easily accommodate singles too). You can check it out here. _________________ Join us in the canon game :) / Add me on RYM
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
baystateoftheart
Skinny
