Stereolab - Mars Audiac Quintet

In 1994, the 'lounge' revival was just barely getting underway, but much of Mars Audiac Quintet incorporated loungy elements, from the Peter Gunn twang of Sean O'Hagan's guitar in Ping-Pong to the exotic Martin Denny-Arthur Lyman feel of the closing marimba-and-vibes instrumental Fiery Yellow and the lyrical salute to exotica queen Lucia Pamela in International Colouring Contest. Otherwise, the album further refines Stereolab's talent for obsessive one-chord drones mated with krautrock-style rhythms, Astrud Gilberto-inspired vocals, Marxist themes and analogue synthesizers. The synthesis of these elements is best exemplified by the overwhelming Nihilist Assault Group and the lovely Des Etoiles Electroniques. In large part because of the poppier elements, this album is an excellent introduction into Stereolab's unique and wonderful aesthetic.

Tracklist:

A1 Three-Dee Melodie
A2 Wow And Flutter
A3 Transona Five
A4 Des Etoiles Eletroniques
B1 Ping Pong
B2 Anamorphose
B3 Three Longers Later
C1 Nihilist Assault Group
C2 International Colouring Contest
C3 The Stars Our Destination
C4 Transporte Sans Bouger
D1 L'Enfer Des Formes
D2 Outer Accelerator
D3 New Orthophony
D4 Fiery Yellow