Stereolab was poised for a breakthrough release with Emperor Tomato Ketchup, their fourth full-length album. Not only was their influence becoming apparent throughout alternative rock, but Mars Audiac Quintet and Music for the Amorphous Body Center indicated they were moving closer to distinct pop melodies. The group certainly hasn't backed away from pop melodies on Emperor Tomato Ketchup, but just as their hooks are becoming catchier, they bring in more avant-garde and experimental influences, as well. Consequently, the album is Stereolab's most complex, multi-layered record. It lacks the raw, amateurish textures of their early singles, but the music is far more ambitious, melding electronic drones and singsong melodies with string sections, slight hip-hop and dub influences, and scores of interweaving counter melodies. Even when Stereolab appears to be creating a one-chord trance, there is a lot going on beneath the surface. Furthermore, the group's love for easy listening and pop melodies means that the music never feels cold or inaccessible. In fact, pop singles like "Cybele's Reverie" and "The Noise of Carpet" help ease listeners into the group's more experimental tendencies. Because of all its textures, Emperor Tomato Ketchup isn't as immediately accessible as Mars Audiac Quintet, but it is a rich, rewarding listen. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Stereolab (Producer), Stereolab (Main Performer), Stereolab (Mixing), Tim Gane (Organ), Tim Gane (Synthesizer), Tim Gane (Bass), Tim Gane (Guitar), Tim Gane (Percussion), Tim Gane (Piano (Electric)), Tim Gane (Tambourine), Tim Gane (Vocals), Tim Gane (Vibraphone), Tim Gane (?), Tim Gane (Farfisa Organ), Tim Gane (Electronics), Tim Gane (Vox Organ), Tim Gane (Analogue Synthesizer), Mary Hansen (Organ), Mary Hansen (Synthesizer), Mary Hansen (Bass), Mary Hansen (Guitar), Mary Hansen (Percussion), Mary Hansen (Piano (Electric)), Mary Hansen (Tambourine), Mary Hansen (Vocals), Mary Hansen (Vibraphone), Mary Hansen (Farfisa Organ), Mary Hansen (Electronics), Mary Hansen (Vox Organ), Mary Hansen (Analogue Synthesizer), Sally Herbert (Strings), Sean O'Hagan (Organ), Sean O'Hagan (Piano (Electric)), Sean O'Hagan (Vibraphone), Sean O'Hagan (String Arrangements), Sean O'Hagan (Vox Organ), Andy Ramsay (Organ), Andy Ramsay (Synthesizer), Andy Ramsay (Bass), Andy Ramsay (Guitar), Andy Ramsay (Percussion), Andy Ramsay (Piano (Electric)), Andy Ramsay (Tambourine), Andy Ramsay (Vocals), Andy Ramsay (Vibraphone), Andy Ramsay (?), Andy Ramsay (Farfisa Organ), Andy Ramsay (Electronics), Andy Ramsay (Vox Organ), Andy Ramsay (Analogue Synthesizer), Laetitia Sadier (Organ), Laetitia Sadier (Synthesizer), Laetitia Sadier (Bass), Laetitia Sadier (Guitar), Laetitia Sadier (Percussion), Laetitia Sadier (Piano (Electric)), Laetitia Sadier (Tambourine), Laetitia Sadier (Vocals), Laetitia Sadier (Vibraphone), Laetitia Sadier (?), Laetitia Sadier (Farfisa Organ), Laetitia Sadier (Electronics), Laetitia Sadier (Vox Organ), Laetitia Sadier (Analogue Synthesizer), Paul Tipler (Producer), Paul Tipler (Engineer), Paul Tipler (Mixing), Duncan Brown (Organ), Duncan Brown (Synthesizer), Duncan Brown (Bass), Duncan Brown (Guitar), Duncan Brown (Percussion), Duncan Brown (Piano (Electric)), Duncan Brown (Tambourine), Duncan Brown (Vocals), Duncan Brown (Vibraphone), Duncan Brown (?), Duncan Brown (Farfisa Organ), Duncan Brown (Electronics), Duncan Brown (Vox Organ), Duncan Brown (Analogue Synthesizer), John McEntire (Synthesizer), John McEntire (Guitar), John McEntire (Maracas), John McEntire (Marimba), John McEntire (Tambourine), John McEntire (Vocals), John McEntire (Producer), John McEntire (Engineer), John McEntire (Vibraphone), John McEntire (Mixing), John McEntire (Electronics), John McEntire (Vibe Master), Marcus Holdaway (Strings), Morgane Lhote (Organ), Morgane Lhote (Synthesizer), Morgane Lhote (Bass), Morgane Lhote (Guitar), Morgane Lhote (Percussion), Morgane Lhote (Piano (Electric)), Morgane Lhote (Tambourine), Morgane Lhote (Vocals), Morgane Lhote (Vibraphone), Morgane Lhote (?), Morgane Lhote (Farfisa Organ), Morgane Lhote (Electronics), Morgane Lhote (Vox Organ), Morgane Lhote (Analogue Synthesizer), Meg Gates (Strings)
Emperor Tomato Ketchup is the fourth album by the band Stereolab, released in April 1996. At the time it was their greatest success to date both commercially and critically. Three singles were released from the album: "Cybele's Reverie", "Metronomic Underground" and "The Noise of Carpet".
It takes its name from the 1971 short film Tomato Kecchappu Kôtei (Emperor Tomato Ketchup) by Japanese director Shuji Terayama.
