Music : Refried Ectoplasm: Switched On, Vol. 2
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0036172908226
Label: Drag City
Manufacturer: Drag City
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Drag City
Release Date: October 24, 1995
Sales Rank: 146925
Studio: Drag City
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential recording:
In proximity to all their gloriously conceptualized full-length albums, Refried Ectoplasm is surely an odd one, a motley collection of singles and rare tracks, each a miniature by a band whose career has been built on experiments that typically took a whole CD to flesh out. Refried, though, far exceeds the totality of its parts. The singles are distinct, and so not terribly obvious as cogs in a machine, but they're also almost flawless. Stereolab's keyboard colors are all over the place, lighting up "Lo Boob Oscillator," and Laetitia Sadier's droney, airy vocals seem ever in contrast to the music. A guitar-rich, even-rhythm universe prevails across these tracks, giving Refried a slow-burn fever that rings equally with grit and sonically playful quirks. It might be a collection of musical short stories in comparison to their sometimes weirdly epic novels, but it's in French and it's arty and squiggly. And by comparison, again, to their more keyboardy moments (of which there are many elsewhere in the band's catalog), this is a sonic tractor. --Andrew Bartlett
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
CD
This compilation of mostly non-LP tracks is from a phase of Stereolab's lengthy and diverse career that I am least familiar with. However, I love it and would highly recommend it, even to casual fans. This recording, along with "Mars Audiac Quintet", shows the evolution of their unique sound. The title of track #10, "John Cage Bubblegum" epitomizes that sound, from their Kraut-rock beginnings, to their lush, multi-layered, contemporary jams. No poor material here. Some standouts include, "French Disko", "Mountain", "Lo Boob Oscillator", track #10, and a countrified version of "Tone Burst". This disc has a little something for everyone, sans Joseph McCarthy.
Rating:  -
REFRIED ECTOPLASM is fantastic and propulsive, with the "motorik" Krautrock beat and French pop vocals that won't quit. This is high energy optimistic stuff -- simple Situationist garage-pop from 1968, perfect for dancing in that commune on the barricades. I think it's what Stereolab does best. Track 9, "Animal or Vegetable" is a long psychedelic jam that breaks up the flow in an interesting way, and "John Cage Bubblegum" is, indeed, a great pop song that in another dimension conquered the charts. Fascinating that a retro sound can sound more futuristic than the latest thing...
I don't like the turn Stereolab's music took after EMPEROR TOMATO KETCHUP ('96), starting with DOTS AND LOOPS ('97). My favorites are MARS AUDIAC QUINTET ('94) and this one, REFRIED ECTOPLASM ('95), with strong songs, beats and melodies. For more abstraction, I'll listen to avant jazz/improv or contemporary classical.
Rating: -
This album is worth the purchase just for "Lo Boob Oscillator" which is my favorite song of all-time. Poppy, keyboardy, fun. The rest of the album is excellent as well.
Rating: -
While its important for fans of the Groop to have a good understanding of the development of their sound and styles and how their varioius songs evolved, this compilation (of sorts) is a rockin' album on its own. These songs can all be found elsewhere in one form or another, but its nice to have a single CD to pop in the car and drive around with. Plus, many of (IMHO) their best songs can be found on this album...John Cage Bubblegum has more lift and energy than any other Stereolab song and always gets the crowd goin' live. French Disko is the ultimate pep rally song for the masses and gets the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. Eloge d'Eros is often overlooked, but even the proletariat need a poppy love song once and a while, oh yeah! Really, if you're already into Stereolab, this is a good album to have. If you're new to the Groop, this a great starting point to understanding the early years.
Rating:  -
For record collectors the delight of getting small press releases with hand-painted sleeves and other sundry delights is surely some kind of psychological obsession (guilty!). This compilation is a treat to those like myself who have not gone to expense and trouble of hunting down and acquiring the masses of limited edition vinyl that Stereolab puts out. Refried Ectoplasm collects many of the impossibly hard to find Stereolab releases from the 1990s and what's better is you don't have to bankrupt yourself to get them this way.
Much of the music fits the guitar driven drone-pop the band are well known for but there are other surprises that hint at what was to follow this release. "Farfisa" is like a quirky folk song, "French Disko" is a knockout rock track and the fabulous "Lo Boob Oscillator" is a boyant 1960's bubblegum track. This is not my favourite compilation (Aluminium Tunes offers a lot more) but is an important document showcasing the niche craved out by the groop in the early to mid-1990's .
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