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Dots and Loops

 
Album Review: Dots and Loops
 

  • Artist: Stereolab
  • Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Release Date: September 23, 1997
  • Type: Lyrics are included with the album
  • Genre: Rock

Review

On Emperor Tomato Ketchup, Stereolab moved in two directions simultaneously -- it explored funkier dance rhythms while increasing the complexity of its arrangements and compositions. For its follow-up, Dots and Loops, the group scaled back its rhythmic experiments and concentrated on layered compositions. Heavily influenced by bossa nova and swinging '60s pop, Dots and Loops is a deceptively light, breezy album that floats by with effortless grace. Even the segmented, 20-minute "Refractions in the Plastic Pulse" has a sunny, appealing surface -- it's only upon later listens that the interlocking melodies and rhythms reveal their intricate interplay. In many ways, Dots and Loops is Stereolab's greatest musical accomplishment to date, demonstrating remarkable skill -- their interaction is closer to jazz than rock, exploring all of the possibilities of any melodic phrase. Their affection for '60s pop keeps Dots and Loops accessible, even though that doesn't mean it is as immediate as Emperor Tomato Ketchup. In fact, the laid-back stylings of Dots and Loops makes it a little difficult to assimilate upon first listen, but after a few repeated plays, its charms unfold as gracefully as any other Stereolab record. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Brakhage Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier Stereolab (5:30)
Miss Modular Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier Stereolab (4:29)
The Flower Called Nowhere Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier Stereolab (4:55)
Diagonals Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier Stereolab (5:15)
Prisoner of Mars Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier Stereolab (4:03)
Rainbo Conversation Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier Stereolab (4:46)
Refractions in the Plastic Pulse Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier Stereolab (17:32)
Parsec Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier Stereolab (5:34)
Ticker-Tape of the Unconscious Stereolab (4:45)
Contronatura Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier Stereolab (9:03)

Credits

Stereolab (Producer), Stereolab (Main Performer), Stereolab (Mixing), Dave Crawford (Brass), Tim Gane (?), Mary Hansen (Vocals), Richard Harrison (?), Sean O'Hagan (Piano), Sean O'Hagan (Farfisa Organ), Sean O'Hagan (Fender Rhodes), Sean O'Hagan (String Arrangements), Sean O'Hagan (Brass Arrangement), Andy Ramsay (?), Laetitia Sadier (?), John McEntire (Synthesizer), John McEntire (Percussion), John McEntire (Marimba), John McEntire (Electronic Sounds), John McEntire (Producer), John McEntire (Engineer), John McEntire (Vibraphone), John McEntire (Mixing), Andi Toma (Percussion), Andi Toma (Electronic Sounds), Andi Toma (Producer), Andi Toma (Engineer), Andi Toma (Mixing), Jeb Bishop (Brass), Douglas McCombs (Bass (Acoustic)), Paul Mertens (Brass), Andy Robinson (Brass Arrangement), Marcus Holdaway (String Arrangements), Xaver Fischer (Piano), Jan St. Werner (Horn), Jan St. Werner (Electronic Sounds), Shelly Weiss (Strings), Morgane Lhote (?), Maureen Loughnane (String Arrangements), Rebecca McFaul (Strings), Ross Reed (Brass), M. Stamm (Engineer), Poppy Branders (Strings)
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Wikipedia: Dots and Loops
Top
Dots and Loops
Dots and Loops cover
Studio album by Stereolab
Released September 23, 1997 (US)
Recorded March 1997 – April 1997
Genre Post-rock
Label Elektra (US)
Duophonic (UK)
Professional reviews
Stereolab chronology
Emperor Tomato Ketchup
(1996)
Dots and Loops
(1997)
Aluminum Tunes: Switched On, Vol. 3
(1998)

Dots and Loops is an album by the band Stereolab, released in September 1997. Jan St. Werner of Mouse on Mars contributes to several tracks. The song "Parsec" was used in the launch of the Volkswagen New Beetle.[1]

Contents

Track listing

  1. "Brakhage" – 5:30
  2. "Miss Modular" – 4:29
  3. "The Flower Called Nowhere" – 4:55
  4. "Diagonals" – 5:15
  5. "Prisoner of Mars" – 4:03
  6. "Rainbo Conversation" – 4:46
  7. "Refractions in the Plastic Pulse" – 17:32
  8. "Parsec" – 5:34
  9. "Ticker-tape of the Unconscious" – 4:45
  10. "Contronatura" – 9:03

Personnel[2]

Additional Personnel[3]

  • Rebecca McFaul, Shelley Weiss, Poppy Branders, Maureen Loughnane (strings)
  • Paul Mertens, Dave Max Crawford, Jeb Bishop, Ross Reed (brass)
  • Sean O'Hagan (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Farfisa organ)
  • Xavier "Fischfinger" Fischer (piano)
  • John McEntire (synthesizer, percussion, vibraphone, marimba)
  • Douglas McCombs (acoustic bass)
  • Andi Toma (electronic percussion, sound effects)
  • Jan St. Werner (sound effects, insect horns)

Notes

References


 
 

 

Copyrights:

Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Dots and Loops" Read more

 

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