Stereolab -- _Fab Four Suture

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Continuing on from this thread since they've started to announce tour dates. Just picked up my Costa Mesa ticket -- again, living here has its advantages!

A reminder again about the tracklisting, drawing on the recent and upcoming singles:

Fab Four Suture
Kyberneticka Babicka Pt.1
Interlock
Eye Of The Volcano
Plastic Mile
"Get A Shot Of The Refrigerator"
Visionary Road Maps
Vodiak
Whisper Pitch
Excursions Into "Oh, A-Oh"
I Was A Sunny Rainphase
Widow Wierdo
Kyberneticka Babicka Pt.2

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 21:59 (twenty years ago)

are they good again?

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 22:07 (twenty years ago)

Mean. (That said last time through you could tell they missed Mary on a musical level as much as a personal one.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 22:36 (twenty years ago)

i'm not trying to be mean, haha. i'm just one of those dudes (and i used to be a HUGE fan) who couldn't keep accompanying the groop on their musical journey post dots & loops. but this "interlock" tune of the 3x7inches is totally amazing and great, so... are they? good again?

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 22:38 (twenty years ago)

i'm gonna say yes. yes they are.

― Christopher Costello (CGC), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 00:18 (twenty years ago)

I like Ned. I won't ruin this thread.

― Schizoid, Wednesday, 21 December 2005 00:19 (twenty years ago)

I am really glad not a year has gone by without a Stereolab album or Comp since they formed. The three 7" singles they put out this year are reliably excellent.

― Michael F Gill (Michael F Gill), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 00:55 (twenty years ago)

no new york date :(
theyre still one of my favorite bands ever, that i havent seen live.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 01:10 (twenty years ago)

they probably couldn't find a way to get a venue without extra ticketing charges.

one of my favorite shows ever was the 'lab at summerstage back in... 96?

― Mitya (mitya), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 01:18 (twenty years ago)

I finally saw them last year at the Hollywood Bowl, it was swell but I was in the nosebleeds and they were opening up for Air unfortunately so looking forward to a more intimate show. Ned is that Costa Mesa venue kosher or what? I never venture down there.

― tremendoid (tremendoid), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 01:26 (twenty years ago)

It's totally kosher, they've played there a number of times, including the opening night of the venue. The booker is a friend of and past road manager for the band.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 01:27 (twenty years ago)

solid! Almost sold but I'm gonna wait till the L.A. tickets go online tomorrow and make the choice then(nothing but Wednesday shows lately wtf? I'll have to take off work just to get there...I am no longer rock n'roll, if I ever was)

― tremendoid (tremendoid), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 01:44 (twenty years ago)

re: no new york date :(

don't despair -- i'll bet some nyc dates magically pop up between that northampton show and the philadelphia one.

― moxie, Wednesday, 21 December 2005 01:53 (twenty years ago)

phil, they're going to play new york, but you might be outta town that weekend.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 03:18 (twenty years ago)

Almost sold but I'm gonna wait till the L.A. tickets go online tomorrow and make the choice then

It's a distance but come on down to Costa Mesa! It's the night before my birthday and so will be a bit of a party if a number of my friends also come out. Be fun to meet up for a bite beforehand -- the ever great Taco Mesa is just down the road.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 03:27 (twenty years ago)

Is it true that Stereolab is gonna change
their name to Monobeaker ?

― Brutus, Wednesday, 21 December 2005 04:35 (twenty years ago)

its the night before my birthday too, im gonna take my birthday off and go to the show and dance and stay up late.

its all very exciting.

― brontosaur, Wednesday, 21 December 2005 09:10 (twenty years ago)

So, they've signed to Beggars Banquet now?

― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 09:30 (twenty years ago)

Ned it's a date! I'll expect more than tacos, you minx!

― tremendoid (tremendoid), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 21:25 (twenty years ago)

OH YOU PERVERTALIST

Looks like we have at least three ILXors counting the effervescent Brontosaur. Anyone else?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 21:25 (twenty years ago)

what does "counting the effervescent brontosaur" mean? and why are three ilxors doing it?

― s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 21:30 (twenty years ago)

It is a sign of wonder and joy around Christmas in Orange County. In your neck of the woods the local term is 'le calcul du brontosaure effervescent.'

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 21:31 (twenty years ago)

So, they've signed to Beggars Banquet now?

no, they're on too pure, but too pure is a part of the beggars group of labels.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 21 December 2005 21:48 (twenty years ago)

i am so effervescent.

― brontosaur, Thursday, 22 December 2005 05:54 (twenty years ago)

You sparkle even.

So wait, yer an LA person? Or OC?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 22 December 2005 06:02 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...

http://www.stereolab.co.uk/discography/LP/147/147LPRE11.jpg

― Jeff W (zebedee), Monday, 9 January 2006 16:22 (twenty years ago)

Purty.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 9 January 2006 16:32 (twenty years ago)

so, are we thinking of this as a comp or an album?

― Dominique (dleone), Monday, 9 January 2006 16:39 (twenty years ago)

A compbum.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 9 January 2006 16:39 (twenty years ago)

I'm thinking of it as an album, some of which just happened to be released beforehand.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 9 January 2006 16:44 (twenty years ago)

Does it have a release date?

― zeus (zeus), Monday, 9 January 2006 18:31 (twenty years ago)

march 7.

― hstencil (hstencil), Monday, 9 January 2006 18:33 (twenty years ago)

it's certainly less of a comp than the switched on series - in fact, i guess it's closer in spirit to roisin murphy's ruby blue, conceptually speaking (although likely to be better).

― CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Monday, 9 January 2006 18:33 (twenty years ago)

i wonder if they'll EVER come back to new zealand.

― chris andrews (fraew), Monday, 9 January 2006 20:11 (twenty years ago)

Guys, it's not that weird for albums to come out featuring a bunch of songs that were already released on singles. No one's going around calling Girls Aloud's new record a compilation, for example.

I'm excited to see them on this tour - I'm seeing the second of the two NYC shows. Anyone else here going to that one?

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Monday, 9 January 2006 20:55 (twenty years ago)

i wa sthinking about going to that NY show (March 18th).
has anyone seen a show at the town hall?. is it any good?.

― Christopher Costello (CGC), Monday, 9 January 2006 21:06 (twenty years ago)

Town Hall is a good venue, it's very professional and seated and intimate and the sound is usually quite good, though when I saw the Fiery Furnaces play there, the sound was awful. It was totally their fault, though. The Childballads were on before them, and the sound was lovely for them.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Monday, 9 January 2006 21:08 (twenty years ago)

From the other thread, that Ned locked, announcing leakage:

Wow. 2006 is going to be a strong year for the veterans.
Fab Four Suture harkens back with an eye to the future. Sort of MAQ meshed with Cobra Group...toss in a lil Peng and Margerine. Great great album. May be their best work yet.
-- juno crunch (junocrunc...), January 21st, 2006.

Not heard all 6 new songs myself yet. But you may like to know that one of 'em (plus 2 others from last year) is currently being hosted as an mp3 here:
http://iguessimfloating.blogspot.com/2006/01/new-songs-from-stereolab.html

― Jeff W, Monday, 23 January 2006 18:51 (twenty years ago)

I've spent a lot of time with FFS, and it keeps getting better. Easily one of their best. Amazing that they can still peak so high. Still trying to decipher the lyrics, but from what I hear, which should not be surprising, American foreign policy is the largest target. Also, Whisper Pitch may be one of their most up front romantic songs. (Sounds like Tim and Laetitia may have reconciled romantically?)

― juno crunch, Monday, 23 January 2006 19:49 (twenty years ago)

The last two minutes of Excursions Into "Oh, a-oh" are fantastic. It really does feel like a complete album as it is. When I read about it originally I was disappointed that the Rose, My Rocket Brain! stuff wasn't included, but after listening it's kind of clear that it wouldn't fit.

― Ryan WS (fffv), Monday, 23 January 2006 21:17 (twenty years ago)

Rose, My Rocket Brain!

Hm, I've missed this?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 23 January 2006 21:56 (twenty years ago)

early to mid90s - saw Stereolab at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit and
they were great! (esp. some 15+minute song which
could've saved many people drug money

1999 (2000?) - saw them open for Sonic Youth in Pontiac on top of
a parking garage and they were very awful (Sonic
Youth were very good! go figure)

Their last tour - At the Majestic in Detroit, again very very solid
and good (was really glad I went)

Which one shows up in March???

― peepee (peepee), Tuesday, 24 January 2006 00:05 (twenty years ago)

1999 (2000?) - saw them open for Sonic Youth in Pontiac on top of
a parking garage and they were very awful (Sonic
Youth were very good! go figure)

I was at this show! It was June 2000.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 24 January 2006 00:07 (twenty years ago)

jaymc...I could discern whether it was just shitty sound for Stereolab. I did think it was cool that the Stereolab child and the Sonic Youth kid were hanging out together to the side of the stage.

― peepee (peepee), Tuesday, 24 January 2006 00:37 (twenty years ago)

Rose, My Rocket Brain!
Hm, I've missed this?

Ned, this was the 2004 tour single (a little 3" CD thing with three songs on it). Really good. Details here:
http://stereolab.koly.com/discog/disc.php?did=137

The duophonic online shop still has copies left, and it surfaces on ebay quite regularly.

There's another tour single in preparation for the forthcoming dates btw - a 7" this time, I believe. 2 brand new tracks.

― Jeff W (zebedee), Tuesday, 24 January 2006 12:05 (twenty years ago)

this was the 2004 tour single

Oh right! I think I have the mp3s around somewhere...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 24 January 2006 15:20 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

Anyway, yay two days! So who wants to meet up at Taco Mesa beforehand?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 05:03 (twenty years ago)

saw them in 2000,melbourne,australia,they were nice, but not much to write about.
quite boring sometimes, very low enrgies on stage,like they were that band who think:"we are intelectual rock, so we dont wanna move in any way cause it is a music for the mind, not for the body".
well,quite dessapointing.not much different from the songs on the record,neither in sound,nor energy.
so why should i go again?

― maybe she think, Tuesday, 28 February 2006 05:38 (twenty years ago)

you'd have to be a pretty huge idiot to think stereolab is music 'not for the body'. congratulations, welcome to ilx.

― j blount (papa la bas), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 06:16 (twenty years ago)

don't think that's what s/he was saying

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 06:19 (twenty years ago)

"don't think that's what s/he was saying "

he said the band think so,not s/he.

― grrrr, Tuesday, 28 February 2006 06:31 (twenty years ago)

what in the hell has happened to this board?

― gear (gear), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 06:38 (twenty years ago)

not much different from the songs on the record,neither in sound,nor energy.

Stereolab's live sound has rapidly diverged from their sound on record from "Dots and Loops" onward.

Or what gear and blount said.

― NoTimeBeforeTime (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 06:43 (twenty years ago)

I used to love Stereolab and had the same experiences in the last two shows I saw - just really boring. Thier past few records aren't for me, either. I do like this new stuff I have heard. Is it new, though? Or just stuff they dug up from the vaults?

My friend saw them last year in Europe somewhere, I think London, and claims they were terrific. I might try and go see them with Espers at Town Hall. I always wanted to see a show there and sounds like a good trek to make.

― peter x (bucksbreeze), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 15:01 (twenty years ago)

I don't think I've seen them put on a bad show, but some were definitely more on than others (and losing Mary was just sad all around, obviously). I have high hopes for this show, though.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 15:18 (twenty years ago)

i was out of town when they swung through new york for the 'margerine eclipse' tour, so i still can't imagine them doing the old songs without mary.

i was really looking fwd to seeing them in a couple weeks (esp. b/c the town hall rules), but then i ended up getting SXSW bracelet. quite excited for the madness in austin, but missing both stereolab *and* the silver jews makes it somewhat bittersweet.

― rajeev (rajeev), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 18:09 (twenty years ago)

With the 7-piece band they have now, they really sound very little like they did on the 1999-2001 tours.

Lots of "stuff never played before live" promised for this tour. Jealous of those in the US/Canada who will see them in March - I will have to wait until May :(

― Jeff W (zebedee), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 18:24 (twenty years ago)

I love FFS, it's ace. They're not doing a proper tour in the UK? That's ghey.

― beaux knee (boney), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 19:16 (twenty years ago)

looks like i'm missing their us shows entirely. bummer.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 19:35 (twenty years ago)

Just got tickets for their Austin show today. I haven't seen them since Mary died, but that show was very intense. The guy in front of me just passed out and fell straight backwards (luckily I was a little to the left of him).

― patita (patita), Tuesday, 28 February 2006 23:46 (twenty years ago)

Ned I'm still gonna try to make it to Taco Mesa, my wife has a dentist appointment in the afternoon and then we're gonna make it down to OC. What time you leaving for the show?

― tremendoid (tremendoid), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 07:29 (twenty years ago)

Let's see, doors open at 9...I think I'd probably be aiming to go for Taco Mesa itself around eightish. Lemme also e-mail you about this -- brontosaur, you still around/in?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 17:49 (twenty years ago)

i am still around, lurking as usual. and i am going to the show. i'm not sure how long its going to take me to drive down there today, but i'm leaving right after work. im in!

― brontosaur, Wednesday, 1 March 2006 20:51 (twenty years ago)

Roxor. Drop me a line with yer phone number!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 21:14 (twenty years ago)

Ahhh...VERY good show. But first a hearty hello again to tremendoid and his wife, as well as brontosaur. Great people all, it was a treat to hang out with ya and have a good meal and lots of talk (even if it was mostly from me!).

Azalia Snail were the openers, put on a good set (what I caught of it!). As for Stereolab -- excellent, really rose to the occasion. They are 'back,' in this sense -- last time I saw them two years back they were, clearly even if in unspoken fashion, still recuperating from the tragedy. The show was good but they were clearly still adjusting to performances now being just one singer on stage instead of two. Now, I think, they've found how to make that approach work better for them -- seven-piece version of the group this time, possibly the same as the last even. But everything just seemed much more on -- there's now a clear before and after division with Stereolab, they're unavoidably in the after phase and they have found the best way to work with it.

My highlight -- a fantastic version of "Interlock" followed by a fine new arrangement of "Pack Yr Romantic Mind." Great stuff, catch 'em as you can!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 09:41 (twenty years ago)

(Also, "Excursions Into "Oh, A-Oh"" was another highlight, sounded phenomenal!)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 09:42 (twenty years ago)

this is all true. The void is there but, crucially, no longer acknowledged. Just a kickass show. hit me up any time guys, it was a pleasure. happy birthdays!

― WHAT NED SAID (tremendoid), Thursday, 2 March 2006 10:23 (twenty years ago)

I have been ambivalent, downright dismissive and rude about S/Lab on here over the years, so now I just want to say KICK MY ARSE! No, HARDER! And again!

The reason - I am listening to disc 3 of the Oscillons box and this is terrific stuff. Really great. The first 4 trax are absolutely killer - The Noise of Carpet/The Free Design/Les Yper../Pain Et Spectacles. All totally different and all totally wonderful. Kick me again.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 2 March 2006 10:58 (twenty years ago)

:-D Hey, sometimes things grow on yer.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:21 (twenty years ago)

Just got tix for the first Town Hall night in NYC. Stereolab + Espers = awesome.

― peter x (bucksbreeze), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:27 (twenty years ago)

town hall will be way nicer than where they played last time (irving plaza--UGH!) i hate irving plaza. hate hate hate hate.

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:30 (twenty years ago)

I've never been to either. I hear Town Hall is great. I'm actually more excited to see Espers there than Stereolab.

― peter x (bucksbreeze), Thursday, 2 March 2006 15:35 (twenty years ago)

i gotta say i have not been down with s-lab since dots vs loops but i love the new album!!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Thursday, 2 March 2006 16:35 (twenty years ago)

i was there. it was lots of fun. stereolab was great, and now when i read Ned's posts i can almost hear his voice in my head. i find this amusing.

happy birthday!

― brontosaur, Thursday, 2 March 2006 22:06 (twenty years ago)

Heheheh. I'M IN YOUR HEAD! And happy birthday back to you, sir!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 2 March 2006 22:14 (twenty years ago)

Well, saw them last night and t'was only "ok". Sound problems, bad mix, and an unfortunate emphasis in FFS which I don't think is a very strong record.

So, does this mean the next time I see them it'll be great?!?!?

1996(?) 2004
- + -
- + -
- + -
- + -
- + -
- + -
- + 2006
- +
2000

― peepee (peepee), Monday, 13 March 2006 14:36 (twenty years ago)

[Shit! That diagram really got mangled!]

― peepee (peepee), Monday, 13 March 2006 14:36 (twenty years ago)

town hall will be way nicer than where they played last time (irving plaza--UGH!) i hate irving plaza. hate hate hate hate.

-- geeta (geet...) (webmail), March 2nd, 2006 10:30 AM. (geeta) (link

agreed. overpriced and uncomfortable. i'm catching them at TLA here, which in some ways is our Irving Plaza. Electric Factory/Clear Channel just added another balcony (that looks like a well-constructed fire hazard) to cram more people in. exciting.

i'm guessing this show (Monday night) will be very poorly attended. if anyone is headed out, be in touch.

― blackmail (blackmail.is.my.life), Monday, 13 March 2006 15:01 (twenty years ago)

...the band seemed very disinterested as well. Huge crowd though.

― peepee (peepee), Monday, 13 March 2006 15:06 (twenty years ago)

About half an hour ago I returned home from what I have to say is the worst concert I have ever seen. Stereolab at the Town Hall in New York. They didn't move on stage. Even an inch. The sound was bad. There was zero atmosphere. People remained seated. It was such a fucking waste of time that I left before (what i guessed would be) an encore. Seriously, the Bats have more stage presence. Maybe even Sebadoh.
I own maybe...8 of their albums so know al lot of their songs, and used to find them pleasant enough at the time, but boy...I found myself cringing when Laetita picked up the trombone - like - the band isn't boring enough!! the only reason anyone still gives a fuck is cos of your vocie!!!
Major dud.

― paulhw (paulhw), Saturday, 18 March 2006 04:14 (twenty years ago)

I just saw the Town Hall show, too. It was weird. Espers sounded great, but just seemed sort of withdrawn or something. The space wasn't right for them, except for the sound. It just felt sterile. Stereolab had the energy going a lot better, but they were just dull and the sound muddy.

― peter x (bucksbreeze), Saturday, 18 March 2006 07:07 (twenty years ago)

glad i missed it, then. i stayed in because i wasn't feeling well, drank cheap shiraz with my roommate, and listened to '60s morricone soundtracks.

― geeta (geeta), Saturday, 18 March 2006 07:22 (twenty years ago)

I find it funny that people are expecting a big song and dance from a Stereolab live show. It just doesn't seem to be in their style to come out doing aerobics or something. What's next, people complaining that Mark E. Smith was piss-drunk at a Fall concert? I did see the groop live about 5 years ago, and they didn't really move around at that time either. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they stood still playing live back in 1993.

― Michael F Gill (Michael F Gill), Saturday, 18 March 2006 07:48 (twenty years ago)

I wasn't expecting a big song and dance, Michael. They just didnt seem inspired AT ALL. Again, I saw them 4 times now, and thought they were very great the last time in 2004. I'm not talking about jumping around and shit. But, at least a smile or something! I felt like I was watching 6 people at their trudging through their workday. And the sound was terrible, which is almost always inexcusible.

― peepee (peepee), Saturday, 18 March 2006 15:24 (twenty years ago)

that's not usually the band's fault

― kyle (akmonday), Saturday, 18 March 2006 17:02 (twenty years ago)

saw them circa Mars Audiac at a sardine-esque show, to where my view was through a crack in the amp stacks of a woman's arm at rest on her keyboard and her foot. the entire show: that pale arm and foot gently rocking to and fro. brilliant tho.

― imbidimts, Saturday, 18 March 2006 17:42 (twenty years ago)

I'm still going Monday night, but when I saw them open for Sonic Youth in 2000, they were amazing and noisy. I'm guessing that Sam Prekop and Archer Prewitt won't inspire them to those clangorous heights again.

― blackmail (blackmail.is.my.life), Saturday, 18 March 2006 17:46 (twenty years ago)

xxpost

Didn't mean it was necessarily the band's fault, but it is pretty much inexcusible at that level.

― peepee (peepee), Saturday, 18 March 2006 17:46 (twenty years ago)

I agree peepee, about the sound, and the absolute lack of interest the band showed at being there. They don't need to be all effervescent, but some acknowledgement that they are actually paid to perform would be nice. Then again, I've found Wedding Present, Belle n Sebastian, New Pronographers shows as boring as hell too lately. I think, compared to the highs I get from properly dancing to house & techno in clubs, I just find the band-audience thing quite staid.

― paulhw (paulhw), Saturday, 18 March 2006 18:10 (twenty years ago)

three years pass...

damn, "excursions into oh, ah-oh" is fucking awesome. no matter how many times i think i'm sick of them i'll somehow hear another jam of theirs i had no idea existed that blows my mind. they just might be inexhaustible

― kamerad, Tuesday, 1 December 2009 03:33 (sixteen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.

Stereolab -- _Fab Four Suture_ and the 2006 tour