Stereolab
Margerine Eclipse
(Elektra)
To some, Stereolab's 'pop is ideas' philosophy smacks of a band dangerously far up its own derriere. One scathing review of 1999's Cobra And Phases Group Play Voltage In The Milky Night likened lead singer and trombonist Laetitia Sadier's to 'Bond villainess Rosa Klebb singing washing powder instructions into a karaoke machine after having her coffee drugged with Mogadon.'
To be fair, Stereolab's boffin-pop hardly works you in the hips - but then that's the whole point. And with the death of band mate Mary Hansen adding an emotional depth to the sound-scientists' outlook, they have come up trumps with a record that's more accessible, charming and less sterile than before.
Margerine Melodie buzzes and stutters, while Vonal Declosion comes over like a French Fairport Convention with broadband, complete with folksy acoustic guitars in a balm of shimmering synthesisers. Feel And Triple is the band's salute to Hansen, and is typically unsentimental, one of the most challenging arrangements on the CD. Music for the mind indeed. Pretentious? Moi?