Reviewing S/T: Self-Titled (Klangbad EFA 64026-2)
Having said that Stereolab sound like Stereolab, it’s valuable to note that in fact, digging out some of their early records, you realise just how far they have come, how much they have developed from a kraut-rocking crackle to a euro Pop soft centre. I’m reminded of this by listening to the very wonderful self titled album by, um, self titled. Or S/T if you prefer. On the klangbad label, I guess this is pretty much exactly what you’d expect for something with links to Faust / Neu et al (it’s produced by Hans Joachim Irmler). Lots of hypnotic looping riffs and keyboards and a drowning vocal that burbles and grumbles. Keen eared readers will have spotted S/T’s The Silly Season on the recent Tangents radio stream, and whilst for me it’s certainly the stand out track here (its those Syd Barret vocals, the jingle bells and the humming noise of electricity burning the soles of my feet that do it for me), the other eight cuts aren’t far away from its murky depths of oddball magnificence. Highly recommended.
Alistair Fitchett, Tangents Magazine, 2004-02-10
link: Tangents - S/T Review