Album Notes:

Refried Ectoplasm (Switched on Volume 2), released in July 1995, is a compilation by Stereolab of singles and rarities.

 

Stereolab are an alternative music band formed in 1990 in London, England. The band originally comprised songwriting team Tim Gane (guitar/keyboards) and Lætitia Sadier (vocals/keyboards/guitar), both of whom remained at the helm across many lineup changes. Other long-time members include Mary Hansen (backing vocals/keyboards/guitar), who played with the group from 1992 until her accidental death in 2002, and Andy Ramsay (drums), who joined in 1993, and who is still in the official line-up.

 

Called “one of the most fiercely independent and original groups of the Nineties”, Stereolab were one of the first bands to be termed “post-rock”. Their primary musical influence was 1970s krautrock, which they combined with lounge, 1960s pop, and experimental pop music. They were noted for their heavy use of vintage electronic keyboards, and their sound often overlays a repetitive “motorik” beat with female vocals sung in English or French. Stereolab often incorporated socio-political themes into their lyrics. Some critics say the group’s lyrics carry a strong Marxist message, and both Gane and Sadier admit to being influenced by the Surrealist and Situationist cultural and political movements. Gane is skeptical of labels such as ‘Marxist pop’, and defends the band against accusations of ‘sloganeering’.

 

Although many of the band’s albums have been underground hits, they never found larger commercial success. The band were released from their recording contract with Warner Bros. Records when Warner’s imprint Elektra Records folded. The release was reportedly due to poor record sales, and since then Stereolab’s self-owned label, Duophonic Records, has signed a distribution deal with Too Pure. Duophonic holds the copyrights to the band’s recordings, and on this label the band have released many limited-edition records. In 2009, Stereolab announced via their website that they were going on indefinite hiatus.

 

Stereolab’s Switched On series is ingenious, one of the best services a band has performed for its fans. Since their inception, Stereolab have made it a practice to release non-LP singles, tour 7”s, split singles, special-edition EPs -- recordings that were available in small quantities for a limited time. In every case, the limited-edition recordings become very valuable very quickly, often reaching ridiculously exorbitant prices that most fans could never afford. That’s where the Switched On series comes in. It’s where the group gathers the best of these rarities, leaving a couple of tracks on the original single for the sake of collectability. Stereolab may do certain projects as a lark, but they rarely throw away tracks, as each EP and most singles have their own identity, offering a new spin on the group’s trademark style.

 

Track List:

1.         Harmonium   [5:55] (originally a 7” single on Duophonic Super 45's)

2.         Lo Boob Oscillator   [6:36] (originally a 7” single on Sub Pop)

3.         Mountain   [4:05] (originally a split single on Teenbeat, other side by Unrest)

4.         Revox   [4:13] (originally from a double pack 7” on Duophonic Super 45’s, split with Huggy Bear, Colm and Darlin’)

5.         French Disko   [3:35] (originally a 7” and CD single on Duophonic)

6.         Exploding Head Movie   [4:48] (with Nurse With Wound, from the Crumb Duck 10” on Clawfist))

7.         Eloge d’Eros   [3:52] (b-side of John Cage Bubblegum)

8.         Tone Burst (Country)   [2:12] (previously unissued, from an abandoned split 7” with Spectrum)

9.         Animal or Vegetable (A Wonderful Wooden Reason...)   [13:32] (with Nurse With Wound, the other side of Crumb Duck)

10.    John Cage Bubblegum   [3:18] (7” single on Slumberland, some copies came with an actual strip of bubblegum)

11.    Sadistic   [2:36] (previously unreleased)

12.    Farfisa   [2:23] (b-side of Harmonium)

13.    Tempter   [5:52] (b-side of Lo Boob Oscillator)

 

2xLP by Stereolab is factory-sealed new. It has never been played and has always been kept in its original packaging. The LP is not a promo or cutout. There are no marks or punches of any kind. All our CDs and vinyl are new! If you have any questions or want to see additional photos, just email us.

 

Same day shipping for payments received by 4:00 PM EST.

 

Payment must be received within 7 days. We accept and prefer PayPal. 

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