Stereolab - Dots & Loops
Dots and Loops is the 5th studio album by Stereolab, released in September of 1997. Stereolab's style has continually evolved since they formed in 1990, and Dots and Loops is a true artistic peak in their first, very prolific decade. Stereolab always kept tight control over their music, though they released several LPs, including this one, on the US major label Elektra. Despite being on a major, they still made eccentric records that seemed totally apart from the rest of current pop / rock / indie music. Dots and Loops was recorded in Chicago with John McEntire of the post-rock group Tortoise, and in Dusseldorf with Andi Toma of the electronic duo Mouse on Mars. Founding members, band mainstays and songwriters Laetitia Sadier and Tim Gane draw on kraut-rock, bossa-nova, 60s European pop, and experimental jazz and rock influences to make an album that is futuristic and retro simultaneously.
Dots and Loops was recorded and mixed entirely digitally, a first for the group, and still somewhat new for many bands at the time. Working with Pro Tools digital audio workstation allowed Stereolab to really experiment with arrangements and layering (and looping). The mix of sounds is a fantastic blend of acoustic instruments and voices with analog synths and electronic sounds. The tasteful cut and paste that the digital recording allowed for gives the songs a modernist bent while still feeling organic and grounded. Weird yet catchy. Poppy yet avant garde. Dots and Loops has it all. A true treat for the ears and a record that rewards repeated listens.
Dots and Loops is the 5th studio album by Stereolab, released in September of 1997. Stereolab's style has continually evolved since they formed in 1990, and Dots and Loops is a true artistic peak in their first, very prolific decade. Stereolab always kept tight control over their music, though they released several LPs, including this one, on the US major label Elektra. Despite being on a major, they still made eccentric records that seemed totally apart from the rest of current pop / rock / indie music. Dots and Loops was recorded in Chicago with John McEntire of the post-rock group Tortoise, and in Dusseldorf with Andi Toma of the electronic duo Mouse on Mars. Founding members, band mainstays and songwriters Laetitia Sadier and Tim Gane draw on kraut-rock, bossa-nova, 60s European pop, and experimental jazz and rock influences to make an album that is futuristic and retro simultaneously.
Dots and Loops was recorded and mixed entirely digitally, a first for the group, and still somewhat new for many bands at the time. Working with Pro Tools digital audio workstation allowed Stereolab to really experiment with arrangements and layering (and looping). The mix of sounds is a fantastic blend of acoustic instruments and voices with analog synths and electronic sounds. The tasteful cut and paste that the digital recording allowed for gives the songs a modernist bent while still feeling organic and grounded. Weird yet catchy. Poppy yet avant garde. Dots and Loops has it all. A true treat for the ears and a record that rewards repeated listens.
Dots and Loops is the 5th studio album by Stereolab, released in September of 1997. Stereolab's style has continually evolved since they formed in 1990, and Dots and Loops is a true artistic peak in their first, very prolific decade. Stereolab always kept tight control over their music, though they released several LPs, including this one, on the US major label Elektra. Despite being on a major, they still made eccentric records that seemed totally apart from the rest of current pop / rock / indie music. Dots and Loops was recorded in Chicago with John McEntire of the post-rock group Tortoise, and in Dusseldorf with Andi Toma of the electronic duo Mouse on Mars. Founding members, band mainstays and songwriters Laetitia Sadier and Tim Gane draw on kraut-rock, bossa-nova, 60s European pop, and experimental jazz and rock influences to make an album that is futuristic and retro simultaneously.
Dots and Loops was recorded and mixed entirely digitally, a first for the group, and still somewhat new for many bands at the time. Working with Pro Tools digital audio workstation allowed Stereolab to really experiment with arrangements and layering (and looping). The mix of sounds is a fantastic blend of acoustic instruments and voices with analog synths and electronic sounds. The tasteful cut and paste that the digital recording allowed for gives the songs a modernist bent while still feeling organic and grounded. Weird yet catchy. Poppy yet avant garde. Dots and Loops has it all. A true treat for the ears and a record that rewards repeated listens.