Stereolab Chemical Chords
What is there left for Stereolab to do? They’ve released nine albums and a collection of virtually countless EP’s and singles. They’ve bounced back from the tragic death of guitarist Mary Hansen with 2004’s underrated Margerine Eclipse. Stereolab has actually mixed away at their unusual tapestry of influences, from Krautrock to lounge jazz, to the degree that they already sound familiar- perhaps even classic.
Chemical Chords shows that an original band, doesn’t need to reinvent their wheels to stay fresh. Drawing on their Anglo/Franco hip arsenal of bubbling synthesizers, driving repetition, bi-lingual vocals and graceful melodies the album is not a game changer, but it is so damn joyous. Laetia Sadier has grown a powerful command of the English language through her poetic lyrics. The years have been good to her distinctive voice as it slides effortlessly from falsetto to a rich contra-alto. “Ecstatic Static” details an other-worldly pimp; “He went around switching the people’s hearts off, promising to deal with reality. We bought it….” The lyrics are rattled off over a sweeping string section that feels both stylized and cinematic.
The bands top-drawer rhythm section continues to inject a clockwork edge to songs that could easily become lethargic due to their dreamlike qualities. Andy Ramsay continues to pin the songs up with drum beats you can set a clock to. Bassist Simon Johns shines with a precise minimalism that is both ego-less and effective. The two reach an especially kinetic synergy under the rapid textural changes of “Three Women” providing continuity to the tunes otherwise schizophrenic instrumental exchanges.
The use of horns and strings is consistent with prior albums, but never has the bands arrangements sounded so thoughtful and effective. The title track is augmented by a kitschy and dramatic bombast as it straddles the line between orchestral pop and r&b. The mixture seems perfect for a 007 movie soundtrack. It’s the perfect metaphor (Chemical Chords) for the bands euphoria inducing music. This time around the euphoria is enhanced not by the band stretching out, but tightening up. And why not? They’ve already connected continents, both culturally and aurally.
****1/2
