Stereolab ~ “Seeperbold”

Interesting song title, no? This is the greatest song in the history of Pop. I am not joking. Featuring the lovely soprano of the late great Mary Hansen on the primary vocal, while Miss Sadier takes a vocal backseat for a change; and the result of which is a revelation. The studio version of this cut can be found on Stereolab’s “Aluminum Tunes” compilation that was originally released in 1998, although, the song itself dates back to early 1995. A curious and strange live version under the working title of “The Pram Song” can be found on the 2002 live radio performances release of “ABC Music.” As for the song itself, a myriad of worthwhile mentions could take place. Such simplistic and beautiful guitar work that is nicely mingled with Doors style keyboard action, and minus any lyrical content about snakes or fire; the beat is a tasty little mantra and the string action at the end is enough to send a repulsive fool like Elvis Costello into exile forever.

Say what you will about The Beatles and comedy legend Bob Saget, but not a thing on this beautiful blue planet can touch Stereolab’s “Seeperbold,” as it is in fact Stereolab’s most astounding work. The vocal arrangement in particular is what moves the listener most of all, and thanks in part to Tim Gane’s instruction, the vocalists hit their marks beautifully and play off one another so well that one wishes all songs could contain such lovely and cherubic sing-song heroics. The lyrics are vague and mysterious, quite enjoyable and utterly fucking delicious.

So, here you have Stereolab’s “Seeperbold” as set to very old home movie footage. A song for both the dead and living to be pleased by…

"Miss Modular" - Stereolab

Bossa Nova to the bone, and you simply don't stop! Ha-ha! Ha-ha! Yeah, you right, playa! For me, Stereolab's "Miss Modular" from 1997's "Dots & Loops" is indeed one of the greatest songs in the history of Pop. A delicious simplistic horn arrangement, painfully catchy beat and marshmallow-like vocal performances to die for. And as always, Stereolab are the grand masters of ear candy, and not even in their Kraut Rock and Velvet Underground influenced early years could they help but be anything other than a tuneful musical outfit, my babies. The primary vocal is delivered in that most musical of languages known as French, and in essence, Lætitia Sadier is essentially a human instrument, but not nearly as much as the late Mary Hansen, who in this song literally "La la la's..." and "Ba ba ba's.." her way to musical freedom.

I must say everything is intact on this number that appropriately in Pop, fades out into oblivion at about the four minute mark. The multi-layered sing-song vocals that were so common amongst now vintage Stereolab simply cannot be denied, and as many a fan knows, Stereolab may very well be the ultimate headphone band. This is a studio outfit primarily, and the smooth and mellow "Miss Modular" was recorded in either Chicago or Germany, perhaps even the band themselves can't remember at this point. It was pure polish time for Stereolab at this point, no more noise for the sake of noise. What you hear on "Miss Modular" is the most sublime supermarket and elevator music combined, a sweet little Bubblegum Pop jam that not even The Cowsills themselves could hope to fuck with, me droogie.

By the late 90's, things were getting frighteningly retro to the point where the musical era almost ceased to have an identity, but leave it to Stereolab to touch upon the past in terms of musical experimentation, yet at the same time, put there own unique stamp on the proceedings to where the music is effortlessly timeless and undeniably Stereolab.

Enjoy a groovy little siesta to the musical delight that is the creamy and fat-free "Miss Modular" music video:



Indeed, Stereolab's "Miss Modular" taught us all to play it cool, and of course, to stay in school