Yes, I did play it - I bought it the week it came out and didn't have a CD player at the time so it was only option. The pressing was so poor that the groove seemed to be peeling off parts of the disc so heaven knows how it was made! The group acknowledged that the pressing was poor but I guess it's possible the first handful were OK before the process went awry or somesuch.
Woah, that sounds horrible. Mine isn't like that at all but apparently the run was of highly varying quality.
I was a big Stereolab fan in the 90s (saw them on the Emperor Tomato Ketchup tour), but at the turn of the century my tastes shifted to other music and the last album I have is Dots and Loops. I would like to complete my collection, but am also looking at re-purchasing some of the 90s catalog based on the extras. Can anyone comment on how the extra material rates for this reissue campaign.
Mostly it’s not essential... it is interesting to hear rough sketches of the songs being developed and some of them are charming but IMO having listened to them once or twice I doubt I’ll play them much again. ME however has proper bonus material that is very good.
The ancillary material is not revelatory to say the least. They're mostly Tim Gane strumming to Laetitia Sadier's vocal. You'll listen to it once, if that (I stopped bothering fairly early on), and never return to it again. Margerine Eclipse is different : they've included an EP instead. Makes you wonder what they'll do with it when they get to Switched On 4.
Three of the tracks are longer on the new Margerine Eclipse CD, I think - extra sections. - Vonal Declosion - Hillbilly Motobike - Bop Scotch Not sure if they're an improvement or not!
There have been several instances of this across the reissue series with tracks generally being allowed to run their course rather than being faded out. With Hillbilly Motorbike, I think this involved reinstating a section that was previously hived off and given its own track.
Rough Trade US has Cobra And Phases on black vinyl on sale right now for $25.99: Stereolab - Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage In The Milky Night - LPx3 – Rough Trade
To me they are. Especially 'Hillbilly Motobike'. Love it when the 'Lab' smash together unrelated songs. I've listened to the new Margerine Eclipse numerous times. Its an overwhelming experience. An all at assault of hooks and melodies layered over even more hooks and melodies. I honestly can't think of another album quite like this. Need to Be and ...Sudden Stars in particular are just gorgeous
Also in the newsletter: “Scratch card winners, an update - We've had a few manufacturing delays so the disks probably won't be sent out for at least another 5 - 8 weeks.”
Also worth noting in the Lab Report is this: It's likely that we will announce a final batch of shows before the end of 2020 - venues and countries TBC. I think this puts paid to any notion that the reunion might be ongoing.
I wouldn't necessarily read it like that. I think it just means final for the current tour. They may not get around to doing anything else together and I doubt this has been a regular band reformation but if they've enjoyed it there may be other things to come.
They're doing another US tour this May. 2020 Tour Dates I guess this was announced a few weeks ago, but just saw it now. After not being able to go to Brooklyn last September (had other concerts the same days), I'll get to see them May 5th at Terminal 5 (much as I hate Terminal 5).
Anyone get lucky enough to have scratched off five Cliffs on multiple cards? I picked up every reissue but didn’t hit on any of my scratch cards. I’d be happy to compensate someone if they’re willing to give up one of their prizes.
Details of the free single you get for matching 5 Cliffs on the scratchcard: Stereolab - Fluorescences (Demo)
