Stereolab: In a five star review of Stereolab's 1999 lp, Cobra And Phases Uncut magazine's David Stubbs concluded that "Stereolab have fashioned yet another perfect, synthetic replica of a pop model that never was but should have been - and, for those bold enough, is right here right now".

That same futuristic pop model provides the blueprint for the latest set of recordings from Stereolab. A full 12 track double lp and cd entitled, Sound-Dust is released on September 3rd 2001, preceded by a four track EP, Captain Easychord (catalogue number D-UHF CD 26 out on July 30th) taken from the lp alongside three further non-lp tracks. Both come courtesy of Stereolab's own label Duophonic Ultra High Frequency Disks.

Having already played shows in Moscow and Istanbul this year, Stereolab will be touring throughout mainland Europe and Scandinavia through August and September before flying to America for a full tour in mid-October which kicks off with the All Tomorrows Parties Festival, curated by Sonic Youth at UCLA on October 21st.

Stereolab will then play their first UK tour of this year at the beginning of December.

While it's tempting to say that the new lp is 'business as usual' for Stereolab, there is nothing that commonplace in Stereolab's world. The recordings have once again been undertaken mostly in Chicago with the team of John McEntire and Jim O'Rourke producing the lp with the group and with regular cohort Sean O'Hagan (of the High Llama's) also on hand to add to the keyboard and arranging strengths of the ensemble.

One change is the absence of long term member Morgane Lhote who left the band prior to these recordings.

Otherwise, all compositions are once again written by Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier with the exception of 'Nothing To Do With Me' (some lyrics were paraphrased from a Chris Morris 'Jam' sketch). 'Sound-Dust' has its darker and more impressionistic side but this is a more approachable and more upbeat sound that shifts back towards the warmer tones and more melodic textures of 'Dots And Loops' and 'Emperor Tomato Ketchup'. As ever, Stereolab as a group which explores the boundaries of their pop model and manages to move forwards, sideways and harp backwards all at the same time.

The track listing for 'Sound-Dust' is as follows (catalogue number D-UHF CD27)

Black Ants In Sound-DustSpace Moth
Captain Easychord
Baby Lulu
The Black Arts/
Hallucinex
Double Rocker
Gus The Mynah Bird
Naught More Terrific Than Man
Nothing To Do With Me
Suggestion Diabolique
Les Bons Bons Des Raisons.

For the uninitiated, Stereolab are Laetitia Sadier/Mary Hansen/Tim Gane/Andy Ramsay/Simon Johns Instruments include: vocals, guitars , organs, electronics, electronics, drums & percussion, occasional bass, electric harpsichord, clavinet, wurlitzer and loads of other stuff besides.

Report by: Priya Elangasinghe