Before I deliver this stern message to Stereolab‘s Chemical Chords album can you help me work through my reactions over the past 2 or 3 months? Since buying this CD I have spun it a good dozen times at work and in the car? Townspeople have helped me in the past in such moments of utter befuddlement, and I hope you can help me now.
Over the years I’ve heard some other albums by Stereolab with songs that make some sense to me, but this new album, Chemical Chords, which reviews and blog postings I’ve seen indicate that longtime Stereolab fans dig just fine, sounds to me like an endless stream of Target ads. I’m reminded of the opening scene of Fight Club, with the Ed Norton Jr. character in his Ikea catalog-like apartment, with the descriptions and price tags popping up all around him. I feel like I’m being sold something, like a neon beanbag. Do I need a neon beanbag?
Stereolab, “Self Portrait with ‘Electric Brain'”
This song title catches my eye with its hints at postmodern art and the use of single quotes within the standard song title’s double quotes. The song title would look great on my glass and chrome coffee table…if I had a glass and chrome coffee table! Actually, if I had such a coffee table and this slight song was playing atop it I’d half expect Alex and his droog buddies to break in and smash my living room to bits. I know, like, and greatly respect many of you who like Stereolab. The stuff you’ve played me over the years is usually interesting. Do you like this new album, or have I been reading the reviews and blog postings of ass-kissing Cool Patrol wannabes? Tell me, my friends, that you know what I’m talking about – or point out the error of my ways.
Stereolab, “Fractal Dream of a Thing”
Here’s another song with a museum-piece title that, at best, makes me horny for tastefully tarted-up 35-year-old women spending their newly acquired excess cash at an upscale department store. Is this what I’m supposed to be feeling while listening to the new Stereolab album? Is this what they’d consider “mission accomplished” and high-five, or celebrate through whatever polite variant would suit their style?
I’ve been giving this album a sincere try. I’ve been trying to get inside of the mind of someone who might fancy this platter, and all I can think of is catalog blurbs, slim models, and my credit cards. I badly want to dash off the following note to Stereolab’s new album:
I am not for sale!
Before I do, can you help me check my line of reasoning? Thanks.
