dna

Stereolab are often described as being retro and essentially conservative in character. I'd describe them as retro-futurist. They seem to me to refer to past visions of the future, the alternate reality where pop is the in sound from way out, and Marxist theory is what the kids are really into. They sound how a band would be in Terry Gilliam's Brazil.

Stylus has got a couple of Boredoms articles that are quite interesting, but the good stuff is on Youtube: Fuji Rock Festival... I saw this performance and it's just about my favourite gig ever. Stylus also rounds up other Youtube Boredoms vids.

Takes the Detroit techno template and strips out the 4/4 undercarriage, adding a dub sensibility. Very good for late nights and early mornings. V.A. - Blech II Jake Slazenger - Das Ist Ein Groovy Beat, Ja?

British gothic. Lots of detuned analogue synths. Boards of Canada-esque on a couple of occasions, and a few genuinely eerie songs. The packaging is beautifully designed by label owner Julian House, who has designed sleeves for Stereolab and Broadcast, to look like '70s textbooks. Lots of free mp3s at the Ghost Box website.

With a bit of time now elapsed since this was released, it seems to be that this is a great addition to the cannon. I think that you could argue that this is of a piece with Trans Europe Express, in that it's not the songs so much as the mood of the whole which is more important. Official website Funny Guardian article about trying to track down the band