Stereolab
ABC Music: The Radio 1 Sessions

THE REVIEW

Noise, melody, repetition.
It is interesting to note how in repetition there are simultaneously the seeds of madness and those of the most reassuring mental health. Think about it: on one hand, repetition helps to organize the chaos of the universe, it is the Sign that we recognize and perhaps the very beginning of language and the world of meaning, of complete sense. Every morning the awakening sets in motion a series of rituals that provide the framework within which meaningful events occur.
Pop music itself is based on that true institution that is the chorus, something that with its return soothes and reassures.

On the other hand, however, there is the threatening aspect, the short circuit of reality that occurs when repetition becomes identical to itself and infinite, or at least tending towards infinity. This results in an alienating effect, there is the risk of sinking into an abyss, habit becomes pathological, repeated words and acts lose weight and consistency, become empty signs. We are in the realm of madness, let the psychotherapist in!

Laetitia Sadier and Tim Gane enjoy staying exactly on the borderline between these two meanings of repetition with surprising results for their (and our) mental health: the therapy consists of correcting obsessive tendencies with melodious and persuasive voices and healthy pop injections (which are always good for your health!).
It's a simple and brilliant recipe: combining Germanic heaviness and consistency (influences from 70s German rock, especially Faust and Neu! + a love for philosophy, Marxist in this case), Anglo-Saxon pragmatism and essentiality (songs not excessively long, use of the typical pop format), French lightness (influence from French singer-songwriter music, lounge music, often sung in French).

And here we are, more than 10 years later, with this double CD that traces the entire history of the band from the beginning to the present day, a beautiful and complete introduction for the newcomer but also an essential addition to the enthusiast's catalog.