Abstractions

Really interesting CD. The psychedelic pulsing sound of Stereolab (with the late Mary Hansen’s gentle spacey voice), and the lo-fi country feel of the Llamas come together in this collaborative effort. The album is nostalgic and brooding at times, and hopeful at others. Could play well with alt-country or just a really mellow rock set. Something for everyone, check it out. Play: 2,5,7,9
1)Upbeat track with slide guitar, banjo, synths, and congas. Electro-country? Cool stuff! 2)Seemingly the most traditional Stereolab track. Replete with vibraphone, horns, guitars, etc. Beautiful, soothing melodies. Play this track! 3)Downbeat, brooding track with clarinet taking the lead. Addition of violins gives it a satanic klezmer feel. 4)Guitar and piano with “la la” vocals. Atmospheric and haunting. 5)Beautiful Hansen vocals. Funny old fashion chord progressions and gentle psychedelic passages alternate. Overall, a really warm sound. 6)Clarinet, accordion, mandolins, trippy vocals. Moody and dark. 7)Cool track! Soaring spaced out country sound. Buttery vocals and tamborine enter after 1:30 intro. Simple, wonderful, utterly strange music. 8)Almost has a Celtic feel. Flute and violin over background of accordion and banjoes. Simple, and pure. 9) Gem of a one minute track. Simple moving melodic line over a folk backing. Slow and ponderous.
-Mike, i.e. The Professor