Cosmically Trippy Lounge

Miss Modular by Stereolab

Stereolab is one of the most eclectic groups in my collection. Called Avant-Pop, they bring Bossa Nova and 60s Lounge into Alt Rock and overlay the songs with the kitchen sink approach to incorporating many, many genres, a bizarre mixture that seems like it would be a recipe for an overcomplicated mess. Instead, you hear a chef blending with pinpoint precision. Every sound, every influence playing perfectly off of each other. The result is a modern, loungy, trippy, cosmic feel that is both traditional rock and electronic. The unique sound is brought together by the meditatively soothing, near hypnotic vocals of Lætitia Sadier.

Stereolab formed in 1990 and their influence on that decade and the Post-Rock groups that followed is indisputable. They made mellow hip again, and they encouraged others to follow suit and experiment the way Sonic Youth did before them, and David Bowie before that, and The Beatles before that.  

I was in college in Philly in the 90s and spent a lot of time in music and film venues (I was a film major), and art exhibitions. At that moment in time, everywhere I seemed to go, I heard Stereolab. It was as if everyone decided that if you were going to host something that was bold and artistic, if you wanted to convey the essence of indie cool, Stereolab music needed to be the auditory contribution to the ambience. I never saw them live, but even in live shows of other bands I would go to see, often the DJ spun Stereolab in between sets.  

This one comes to us from 1998. It is a 12 inch from the album Dots and Loops, and was for promotional use only, not for sale.