Stereolab - "Aluminum Tunes"

This is not so much an album, mates. It is a collection, or what Stereolab refer to as their "Switched On" series, and then looking at it from that perspective "Aluminum Tunes" would be volume three. This music can't be beat, and the "Switched On" series is a unique gesture on Stereolab's part, as it collects rare tour-only singles and other bizarre and obscure hard to find Stereolab recorded bits, now then, with the "Switched On" series you have it all in one convenient place, which is quite convenient indeed, no? This collection starts with a rare item referred to as "Music for the Amorphous Body Center." Quite obscure, no? The tunes contained on the "Music for the Amorphous Body Center" portion of "Aluminum Tunes" contain lovely and precious melodies like on the album opener "Pop Quiz." The first three or four cuts on the record were apparently inspired by the work of a furniture designer, but I could be wrong, mate.

To break it down for you, buster. What you are really working with here is a deluxe variation of "Dots & Loops," so we're pretty much talking Easy-Listening as all fucking get out and then some. Delicious and heavenly ear candy just primed to be crammed up your buttocks, me old darling bastards. What you are also in for are cuts that did not make it on "Emperor Tomato Ketchup," including an awesome and trippy alternate mix of "Metronomic Underground" appropriately given the title of "Wagon Christ" (The bloke who mixed it). My personal favorite song is a true show-stopper in the Stereolab catalog, which is a little number that features the amazingly talented late Mary Hansen on the primary vocal, the song in question is "Seeperbold," and it may very well be Stereolab's finest.

This collection is large, two discs or three records, depending upon your preference. And rumor has it that a fourth edition of the epic "Switched On" series is in the works. Oh, and going back to what I was discussing in the previous paragraph, let me make clear that an awesome live version of Stereolab's "Seeperbold" is featured on the "ABC Music" collection, which is another item you'll want to get your filthy fingers on, such dreamy and enchanting sounds! Now then, another standout tune is "Speedy Car," and bandleader Tim Gane really cooks up something sweet on this track, ever heard of Klezmer James Bond Rock? Well, in my mind, "Speedy Car" is just that. I love this Stereolab business, this Stereolab way of life. Needless to say, "Aluminum Tunes" collects quite a few songs that feature Stereolab at their most precious and dainty. If you are like me and love "Dots & Loops" and "Sound-Dust," then grab up this collection of catchy Bubblegum Pop numbers that was released between those two gems in the year of our Lord 1998.

Also, be sure to give "Cobra and Phases Groop Play Voltage in The Milky Night" a shot (Unrelated, but important information).

Speaking of unrelated but IMPORTANT information, check out Miss Sadier and Mary Hansen of The Lab on this groovy jam by Mouse On Mars, it's got that "Aluminum Tunes" vibe to be sure: