First of the Microbe Hunters
Few bands have come to single-handedly rule a genre as well as Stereolab. The only question remaining is which genre. The band's machine-funky grooves, oddball synthetic washes, and disturbingly flat vocals suggest a futuristic disco where the survivors of nuclear war have settled for alienation anthems that recall the "space-age bachelor pad" music of the distant innocent past. But this is all conjecture. No oneknowswhat the music of the future will sound like. (Heck, we once thought by the year 2000 we'd all be walking around inLost in Spaceoutfits.) Stereolab, however, are certainly what we think of.Microbe Huntersis both compact and expansive: only seven cuts but taken over 40 minutes. It begins with the lengthyCan-inspired instrumental "Outer Bongolia," which uses a circular rhythm and hook to layer the special effects. "Intervals" is the ballad form delivered in icy female tones to rob it of all sentiment. "Retrograde Mirror Form" ends things with a trippy tape loop. Beginners should start withEmperor Tomato KetchupasMicrobe Huntersworks best as an addition to the Stereolab catalog and not as an introduction.--Rob O'Connor