MusicGeek.org » psychedelic

Review: Stereolab – Chemical Chords

Matthew Montgomery — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:20:56 +0000

Stereolab
Chemical Chords
4AD August 18, 2008

Stereolab’s made enough of a name for themselves by now that most releases will hit the radar of an assortment of music fans, especially those finding themselves attracted to the indie pop sound this bold outfit is known for producing so elegantly.

Stereolab – “Three Women” | download | preview at Beggars Group USA
Download audio file (stereolab_threewomen.mp3)

Chemical Chords doesn’t depart too distantly from typical Stereolab releases, as the band sticks to the basic formula of what’s already worked for them: produce upbeat, slightly outlandish psychedelic-inflected pop music. Chemical Chords does, though, include a bit more of a chamber pop influence that’s certainly not worth being upset over.

From cutting synth riffs to smoothed over dream pop-esque vocals, Chemical Chords takes what Stereolab does best and does it again. Yes, you’ll find new melodies here, and you will find updated approaches, as well as a lovely string-laden title track, but you’re not going to find a new band in the place of Stereolab — that would be quite outrageous, really.

Chemical Chords succeeds on many levels, as Stereolab provide yet another chapter to their musical career that shows the band in a light that, while not new, has had the bulb changed again: This music is just as bright as it ever was, and coming from Stereolab, there’s no way that can be considered a bad thing.

Spotlight: Experimental Aircraft

Matthew Montgomery — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:13:14 +0000

Experimental Aircraft are an interesting group (there are plenty of those out there) that’s releasing their third album, Third Transmission: Meet Me On Echo Terrace on Feb. 26 on Graveface Records. Maintaining a healthy combination of psychedelic influence, dream pop, space rock, shoegaze, and indie seems a difficult feat to juggle, and I’m sure it is — but Experimental Aircraft seem to hold up just fine. Of the four tracks posted below, two are from Third Transmission and are likely to find a home in most playlists of engaged listeners. They’ve found that nice realm of sonic beauty between My Bloody Valentine and driven indie rock, of which there may not be some easily accessible example like MBV — and if there is, I apologize for not simply making something up. The Jesus and Mary Chain, on second thought, might be a nice fit, so let’s shove them in that square hole. Perfect.

At any rate, Experimental Aircraft provide more than a simple, fun listen, though they are undeniably enjoyable; Third Transmission looks to be a release that will be well accepted by the well-intentioned populous.

Experimental Aircraft — “Stellar,” from Third Transmission | download
Download audio file (stellar.mp3)

Experimental Aircraft — “Upper East Side,” from Third Transmission | download
Download audio file (upper-east-side.mp3)

Experimental Aircraft — “Symphony,” from Love For the Last Time | download
Download audio file (symphony.mp3)

Experimental Aircraft — “Electric Surgery,” from Thank You For That Perfect Day… | download
Download audio file (electric-surgery.mp3)

Spotlight: Evangelicals

Matthew Montgomery — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:00:27 +0000

Evangelicals are set to release their second full-length, The Evening Descends, on Tuesday. The psychedelia-laced Norman, Okla.-based group fills the attached track, “Skeleton Man,” with noise; guitars crash in and out, synthesizers come and go, and heavily-reverberated vocals permeate the whole of the track. If “Skeleton Man” is to be any kind of indicator, Evangelicals are on solid ground with this release.

Evangelicals — “Skeleton Man” | download
Download audio file (skeletonman.mp3)