Stereolab - “Margerine Eclipse”
General Description
Artist/Band: Stereolab
Album Title: Margerine Eclipse
Year: 2004
A crazy band, a band that makes crazy music, musicians who are a coupla fries short of a Happy Meal, etc.? The incredible Stereolab makes hauntingly beautiful music that can be something like an ultra-beat industrial lullaby with elektro German influences blended with Frenchy melodrama-poprock. Uhm.. This is me describing the band after a coupla Apfelkorns too many (or too few).
“Combining an inclination for melodic ’60s pop with an art-rock aesthetic borrowed from Krautrock bands like Faust and Neu!, Stereolab were one of the most influential alternative bands of the ’90s.” - VH1.com
How I Got Into This Music
Well.. As described earlier, over here in Holland they showed a documentary about the boys of Neptunes/N.E.R.D. and in that show, Pharrell was totally hyped about this band Stereolab. He told the interviewer that it was the perfect music for him to have sex on/with/to/whatever. Now, this didn’t impress me until he played something by Stereolab. After that I started listening to the band and have yet to test Pharrell’s theory (nuff said)
Tracks that got my attention:
Vonal Declosion
A great starter, miss Laetitia Sadier’s voice sets the tone for what’s to be expected: beautiful landscape views
Need to Be
Slow and lovely intro, soundtrack feeling, moody as hell.. After about 1 minute the main track takes you to a purple-yellow fuzzy world without any cute little animals
…Sudden Stars
Lullaby intro resurrected after Radiohead’s “No Surprises“, followed by a great beat many a dance producer would give their index finger for
Cosmic Country Noir
This track’s got the most typical Stereolab feeling. If you just sample this track, you’ll know for sure if this would be your cup of tea or vinegar
Margerine Rock
Wow, Blondie’s back!
Margerine Melodie
Reggae (or dub) shouldn’t be done by non-Jamaicans.. Another axioma that’s been proven null and void
Feel and Triple
I like it when your average tech-band uses a guitar that way in the intro
Bop Scotch
Great mixing of the vocals and tempo changes, from mellow relaxed to punky rocky thingies
Conclusion
Stereolab’s a strange breath of fresh air. Everytime you think you got their number, they change up a little. This band really has to work for you, coz the first impression can throw you off a bit. Don’t get thrown off! They’re great and Margerine Eclipse is a great album.
Rating: 
