Mars Audiac Quintet – Stereolab [VINYL]

In 1994, the ‘lounge’ revival was just barely getting underway, but much of Mars Audiac Quintet incorporated loungy elements, from the Peter Gunn twang of Sean O’Hagan’s guitar in ‘Ping Pong’ to the exotic Martin Denny-Arthur Lyman feel of the closing marimba-and-vibes instrumental ‘Fiery Yellow’ and the lyrical salute to exotica queen Lucia Pamela in ‘International Colouring Contest’. Otherwise, the album further refines Stereolab’s talent for obsessive one-chord drones mated with krautrock-style rhythms, Astrud Gilberto-inspired vocals, Marxist themes and analogue synthesizers. The synthesis of these elements is best exemplified by the overwhelming ‘Nihilist Assault Group’ and the lovely ‘Des Etoiles Electroniques’. In large part because of the poppier elements, this album is an excellent introduction into Stereolab’s unique and wonderful aesthetic.

Disc 1
1. Three-dee Melodie – Stereolab (5.03)
2. Wow and Flutter – Stereolab (3.08)
3. Transona Five – Stereolab (5.32)
4. Des Etoiles Electroniques – Stereolab (3.19)
5. Ping Pong – Stereolab (3.02)
6. Anamorphose – Stereolab (7.33)
7. Three Longers Later – Stereolab (3.28)
8. Nihilist Assault Group – Stereolab (6.55)
9. International Colouring Contest – Stereolab (3.47)
10. The Stars Our Destination – Stereolab (2.58)
11. Transporte Sans Bouger – Stereolab (4.20)
12. L’enfer Des Formes – Stereolab (3.53)
13. Outer Accelerator – Stereolab (5.21)
14. New Orthophony – Stereolab (4.34)
15. Fiery Yellow – Stereolab (4.04)