Complete List Of Stereolab Albums And Songs

Feature Photo: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Stereolab was formed in 1990 in London, England. Founded by Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier, the band quickly became recognized for its fusion of lounge pop, krautrock, and electronic music, often underscored by political-themed lyrics. Over the years, Stereolab’s sound evolved, incorporating a diverse range of musical styles and instruments, which earned them a dedicated following and critical acclaim.

The band has released ten studio albums, beginning with Peng! in 1992 and continuing through Not Music in 2010. Their discography also includes a number of compilations and remix albums, with Refried Ectoplasm (Switched On Volume 2) and Aluminum Tunes (Switched On Volume 3) being notable examples. Stereolab has also produced two live albums, documenting their dynamic performance style. While not typically chart-toppers, their albums have received substantial critical success, and tracks like “French Disko” are often cited as influential. Despite never achieving massive commercial success, their work has been consistently praised for its originality and complexity.

Throughout its active years, the band’s lineup saw several changes, with Gane and Sadier remaining the core members. Other contributors included Mary Hansen, whose backing vocals and instrumental contributions were integral until her tragic death in 2002. The band announced a hiatus in 2009 but has since reunited for several tours, releasing a new compilation in 2019 titled Electrically Possessed (Switched On Volume 4). Stereolab’s innovative approach to music and dedication to blending various art forms has left a lasting impact on the alternative and indie music scenes.

STEREOLAB STUDIO ALBUMS

Peng!

Released: 1992

Stereolab’s debut studio album, Peng!, was released in 1992 and marked the beginning of their influential career in the alternative music scene. The album features a blend of post-rock, electronic, and avant-pop sounds, setting the tone for their experimental musical style. Peng! was recorded at Blackwing Studios in London.

CD Track Listings:

“Super Falling Star” – 3:16
“Orgiastic” – 4:45
“Peng! 33” – 2:59
“K-Stars” – 4:05
“Perversion” – 4:59
“You Little Shits” – 3:25
“The Seeming and the Meaning” – 3:48
“Mellotron” – 2:45
“Enivrez-Vous” – 3:38
“Stomach Worm” – 7:54
“Surrealchemist” – 7:13

Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements

Released: 1993

Following their debut, Stereolab released Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements in 1993. This album continues their exploration of complex soundscapes combining pop sensibilities with noisy, experimental layers. The recording took place at Blackwing Studios in London, the same as their debut.

CD Track Listings:

“Tone Burst” – 5:34
“Our Trinitone Blast” – 3:47
“Pack Yr Romantic Mind” – 5:05
“I’m Going Out of My Way” – 3:25
“Golden Ball” – 6:51
“Pause” – 5:20
“Jenny Ondioline” – 18:07
“Analogue Rock” – 4:12
“Crest” – 6:07
“Lock-Groove Lullaby” – 3:37

Mars Audiac Quintet

Released: 1994

Mars Audiac Quintet, released in 1994, saw Stereolab further refining their sound, blending lounge-pop elements with their signature experimental style. The album features more accessible melodies and structured compositions, demonstrating their evolving musical approach. It was recorded at Blackwing Studios in London.

CD Track Listings:

“Three-Dee Melodie” – 5:02
“Wow and Flutter” – 3:08
“Transona Five” – 5:32
“Des Etoiles Electroniques” – 3:48
“Ping Pong” – 3:02
“Anamorphose” – 7:31
“Three Longers Later” – 3:28
“Nihilist Assault Group” – 6:55
“International Colouring Contest” – 3:47
“The Stars Our Destination” – 2:59
“Transporté Sans Bouger” – 4:20

Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Released: 1996

Emperor Tomato Ketchup is one of Stereolab’s most acclaimed albums, released in 1996. This album saw the band incorporating a broader range of electronic and orchestral elements into their music, resulting in a more polished and expansive sound. It was recorded at Blackwing Studios in London and produced in collaboration with John McEntire of Tortoise, which helped refine their experimental pop sensibilities.

CD Track Listings:

“Metronomic Underground” – 7:55
“Cybele’s Reverie” – 4:42
“Percolator” – 3:47
“Les Yper-Sound” – 4:05
“Spark Plug” – 2:29
“OLV 26” – 5:42
“The Noise of Carpet” – 3:05
“Tomorrow is Already Here” – 4:56
“Emperor Tomato Ketchup” – 4:37
“Monstre Sacre” – 3:44
“Motoroller Scalatron” – 3:48
“Slow Fast Hazel” – 3:53
“Anonymous Collective” – 4:32

Dots and Loops

Released: 1997

Dots and Loops followed in 1997, continuing Stereolab’s trend of experimental innovation combined with accessible pop. The album further explores the integration of jazz and lounge music with electronic elements, using complex rhythms and lush textures. It was recorded at several locations, including ICP Studios in Brussels and St. Martin’s College in London, with production assistance from John McEntire and Andi Toma.

CD Track Listings:

“Brakhage” – 5:30
“Miss Modular” – 4:29
“The Flower Called Nowhere” – 4:55
“Diagonals” – 5:15
“Prisoner of Mars” – 4:03
“Rainbo Conversation” – 4:46
“Refractions in the Plastic Pulse” – 17:31
“Parsec” – 5:34
“Ticker-tape of the Unconscious” – 4:46
“Contronatura” – 9:04

Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night

Released: 1999

Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night was released in 1999. This album is characterized by its avant-garde style, blending lounge, jazz, and experimental pop. The production saw contributions from John McEntire and Jim O’Rourke, enhancing the album’s intricate arrangements. It was recorded at several studios, including Soma Electronic Music Studios in Chicago.

CD Track Listings:

“Fuses” – 3:43
“People Do It All the Time” – 3:42
“The Free Design” – 3:47
“Blips Drips and Strips” – 4:28
“Italian Shoes Continuum” – 4:33
“Infinity Girl” – 3:54
“The Spiracles” – 3:42
“Op Hop Detonation” – 3:32
“Puncture in the Radax Permutation” – 5:49
“Velvet Water” – 6:24
“Blue Milk” – 11:29
“Caleidoscopic Gaze” – 8:10
“Strobo Acceleration” – 3:55
“The Emergency Kisses” – 5:53
“Come and Play in the Milky Night” – 4:38

Sound-Dust

Released: 2001

Stereolab’s sixth studio album, Sound-Dust, was released in 2001. This album further evolved the band’s signature sound, incorporating more intricate orchestration and diverse musical influences. It was produced by John McEntire and Jim O’Rourke and recorded at Instant Zero in Bordeaux, France. Sound-Dust is noted for its lush arrangements and a soft, dreamy quality, blending elements of pop, lounge, and avant-garde jazz.

CD Track Listings:

“Black Ants in Sound-Dust” – 1:57
“Space Moth” – 7:31
“Captain Easychord” – 5:23
“Baby Lulu” – 5:01
“The Black Arts” – 5:12
“Hallucinex” – 3:49
“Double Rocker” – 5:33
“Gus the Mynah Bird” – 6:09
“Naught More Terrific Than Man” – 4:02
“Nothing to Do with Me” – 3:36
“Suggestion Diabolique” – 7:53
“Les Bons Bons Des Raisons” – 6:43

Margerine Eclipse

Released: 2004

Margerine Eclipse, released in 2004, delves deeper into Stereolab’s unique blend of pop and experimental sounds. The album features a rich tapestry of melodic tunes, rhythmic syncopation, and layered textures. It was produced by Stereolab themselves and recorded at Instant Zero in Bordeaux, France. This album reflects a continued maturity in their musical expression and innovative use of electronic and traditional instruments.

CD Track Listings:

“Vonal Declosion” – 3:35
“Need to Be” – 4:50
“Sudden Stars” – 4:41
“Cosmic Country Noir” – 4:48
“La Demeure” – 4:35
“Margerine Rock” – 2:56
“The Man with 100 Cells” – 3:47
“Margerine Melodie” – 6:20
“Hillbilly Motobike” – 2:23
“Feel and Triple” – 4:55
“Bop Scotch” – 3:59
“Dear Marge” – 6:53

Chemical Chords

Released: 2008

Chemical Chords, Stereolab’s eighth studio album, was released in 2008. This album signifies a slight shift towards a more structured pop sound while maintaining the band’s penchant for layering and textural richness. The recording was done at Instant Zero in Bordeaux, France, with the band continuing to explore the boundaries of pop and experimental music.

CD Track Listings:

“Neon Beanbag” – 3:46
“Three Women” – 3:45
“One Finger Symphony” – 2:48
“Chemical Chords” – 5:12
“The Ecstatic Static” – 4:42
“Valley Hi!” – 2:14
“Silver Sands” – 3:57
“Pop Molecule (Molecular Pop 1)” – 2:01
“Self Portrait with “Electric Brain”” – 3:20
“Nous Vous Demandons Pardon” – 4:52
“Cellulose Sunshine” – 2:35
“Fractal Dream of a Thing” – 3:37
“Daisy Click Clack” – 3:26
“Vortical Phonotheque” – 3:08

Not Music

Released: 2010

Not Music is the tenth studio album by Stereolab, released in 2010. This album was part of the sessions from Chemical Chords and continues in the vein of that album’s structured pop aesthetic, with an experimental twist. Recorded also at Instant Zero in Bordeaux, France, it features outtakes and new material developed during the Chemical Chords sessions.