Search - Stereolab :: Margerine Eclipse

Kicking out the Jams, the lab regroop and redefine themselve

kaban43 | Somewhere over the rainbow. | 02/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll first start this review by saying I love Stereolab, they were the band that got me musically through most of the 90's when crap boring grunge and self obsessed music ruled the day. You could always count on a new strong release from them which was familiar yet still pushed boundries. Thanks to the 'Lab for that! I waited with anticipation for my copy of M.E. mainly because this was the first full length record made since the regretful passing away of long time member Mary Hansen. Mary contributed a lot to the Stereolab sound and I thought it would be interesting to hear how well the groop adapted itself to making music without her.When I popped on this CD I wasn't sure, it seemed to lack something... but now after a week or so of listening to it I believe they have yet again delivered an amazing album! It slowly reveals itself to you, mainly because the songs are fairly complex in sound, structure and arangement. It makes for a hard first few listens, but after a while the songs reveal their beauty. Many of them refer to Mary, in fact I am of the belief that the use of the word Marge refers to Mary - maybe as a nick name or pet name? It makes a lot of sense. Listen to "Dear Marge" (when you get the CD)... what a lovely song.This album is an act of collective love and respect in honor of the memory of the great Mary Hansen, vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist and only Australian member of Stereolab. It is a very strong release - and upbeat. The songs are a lot shorter and the use of stereo is unique - instruments and vocals are all pretty much panned either hard left, hard right or dead center. What this means is you efffectively have TWO albums.. listen to it with the left channel down, then again with the right channel down... You get lots of lovely instrumental versions! I am not of the belief that everything Stereolab has done since Emperor Tomato Ketchup is crap (only heard about that one since this CD came out!). Do we expect them to play two chord songs for their whole careers? People used to complain they were too simplistic back then. Again Stereolab have refined, revised and reinvented their sound - still 100% Sterelab but with lots of twists and turns, and simply stunning and beautiful! Thank god they ontinue to make unique music. Listen to the song grabs here.. but better to buy it and tresure it!RIP Mary."

Absolutely gorgeous music

music lover | Chicago | 11/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Margerine Eclipse (and Radiohead's Kid A) ought to be the direction that popular music is heading. The tracks are short and sweet, full of lush harmonies, electronica, ethereal singing, and amazing tempo and harmonic shifts. Track 10, Feel and Triple, is as beautiful as any popular music work I've ever heard.



The album is also incredibly uplifting. A Village Voice review described it as "luminous". I can't think of a more appropriate word.

"

Review from a 20 year old college student in Alabama

Kyle Farmer | Florence, AL USA | 03/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first Stereolab CD I ever bought. I got it back a few months after its release. I had never heard any of their music, just read about people who liked it and I made an impulse buy on it one day at Best Buy. I can now say I do not own another CD that I have played more times than this one. I got Dots and Loops next, which is the next best Stereolab CD for fans who love this one. I now have all of Stereolab's full length CDs and they are all great.

The songs on this CD are just awesome and beautiful and hard to wear out. It just reminds of sunny days, enjoying life with your friends. I listen to other stuff like Wilco, 311, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine, Air, Zero 7, Beck, Jay-z, Interpol, the Libertines...just so you can get an idea of my taste.

SO if you have a pretty open mind about music, you really should go buy this CD as fast as you can. It's really terrific and honest music. I've never heard a band whos music flows as beautiful as Stereolab's sound. Oh yeah, the lyrics are great too if you take the time to read them. They made this album after the other female in the group died. I think it's amazing that they made this type of music after her death, because it's really not sad or depressing, its just breath-takingly warm. I guess it just helps to show that death is a part of life. OK enough, BUY THIS CD ...unless your favorite band is 3 Doors Down. If you have some free time, check out my music - www.myspace.com/kylefarmer"