Stereolab

Not Music (Dragcity)

By Crystal Erickson
Published: November 19th, 2010 | 7:00am

When Stereolab announced they were taking a break last year, it marked the end of an era. For nearly two decades, the post-rock pioneers have been conducting experiments in sound in the spirit of Krautrock, consistently releasing albums and touring. Considering all the hard work, it’s easy to see why the band needed a break. Though it’s impossible to get sick of the band’s trademark sound comprised of organs, synthesizers, and Laetitia Sadier’s angelic vocals, after eleven albums and a vast collection of EPs, it’s a wonder what more they could possibly do. But if anyone is capable of pushing the envelope and creating something new and unlike any band or genre, it’s Stereolab.

Not Music is a bit of a teaser since the band didn’t regroup for a new record, instead compiling the 13 tracks from the recording sessions for 2008’s Chemical Chords (4AD) along with a few remixes. Though upstaged if compared to its predecessor, Not Music is a solid offering and subtle compared to the swooping melodies of Chemical Chords. “Pop Molecules (molecular pop 2)” picks up where “Pop Molecules (molecular pop 1)” left off, the momentum already built up from the previous track, filled with buzzing guitars and organs. Emperor Machine’s remix of “Silver Sands” stretches the track to over ten minutes and borrows from Kraftwerk classic “Autobahn.”

The jazzy and upbeat “Two Finger Symphony” is ruled by a simple keyboard rhythm, tambourine, and Moogs to perfection while Sadier performs the sermon. Let us pray she and the others grow tired of solo and side projects, because the world needs more Stereolab.

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Stereolab official site

Stereolab MySpace page

Dragcity Records