September 1, 2021 Playlist

"Mars Audiac Quintet" by Stereolab (1994)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Stereolab "Mars Audiac Quintet"  1994 (UK/France)
Stereolab's music is so hip it hurts: retro-futuristic indie rock art pop that seems to reference the entire history of 20th century underground sounds: influences they wear on their sleeves would include NEU!, Serge Gainsbourg, The Free Design, Silver Apples, Perrey & Kingsley, Enoch Light, Rhys Chatham, Suicide, Faust, Spectrum, The Velvet Underground and Sun Ra. Yet despite that unbearably "hip" list of influences, their music has always been very catchy! Back in the 1990's, they had a string of classic albums from 1993 to 1999 where every album was a clear advance in sound and concept from the previous one. Looking back from the 21st century, Mars Audiac stands out as their most live-sounding and "rockin" record. Though they aimed for studio-perfect space age sounds on record, in concert they were always a loud, heavy rock band, driven by two ancient analog keyboards (Farfisa and Moog) and a throbbing guitar-bass-drum rhythm section.
Speaking of French-influenced retro/electronic pop, Yasutaka Nakata has recently dropped new singles for the two most popular artists he works with: Perfume's new song "Polygon Wave" (tre chic, mon ami!) is the new theme song for Japan's version of The Masked Singer which the trio will also appear on as judges. Meanwhile Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's latest is "Genten Kaihi" which means "Avoid Your Roots" (a pun on "Genten KaiKi" which means "get back to your roots") - the symbolism of the music video where she is being chased by a giant bow references her trying to escape her early 2010's "Harajuku Idol" image (oversized bow in her hair, false eyelashes and platform sneakers). I am hoping this means she has a new album on the way (and sounds like she may be planning to reinvent her image?)
(N) = New Release
   
Artist Song Album Year Country
Sleater-KinneyJumpers (live)Live In Paris2017USA
WilcoI'm The Man Who Loves YouYankee Hotel Foxtrot2002USA
PavementIn The Mouth A DesertSlanted And Enchanted1992USA
WoodsCali In A CupBend Beyond2012USA
White FenceNew EdinburghCyclops Reap2013USA
Parquet CourtsBorrowed TimeLight Up Gold2012USA
CornershopComing Up / Good ShitWhen I Was Born For The 7th Time1997UK
 
 
Poppy Hersingle (from forthcoming album?) (N)2021 (Sumerian)USA
Grave Flowers Bongo Band Outer BongoliaStrength Of Spring (N)2021 (Castle Face)USA
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard DreamsButterfly 3000 (N)2021 (Flightless)Australia
Perfume Polygon Wavesingle (N - forthcoming EP)2021 (Universal)Japan
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Genten Kaihi
("Avoid Your Roots")		single (N)2021 (KRK Lab)Japan
Stereolab The Super ItElectrically Posessed (Switched On Volume 4) (N - compilation of rare tracks)rec. 1999 (2021 Warp)UK/France
   
 
StereolabThree-Dee MelodieMars Audiac Quintet
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1994UK/France
StereolabTransona FiveMars Audiac Quintet
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1994UK/France
StereolabPing PongMars Audiac Quintet
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1994UK/France
Laetitia Sadier Source EnsembleUndying Love For HumanityFind Me Finding You2017France
The Tornados
(produced by Joe Meek)		TelstarIt's Hard To Believe: The Amazing World Of Joe Meek (various artists compilation)rec. 1962UK
Jean-Jacques Perrey & Gershon KingsleyOne Note Samba / Spanish Flea (A. C. Jobim/Herb Alpert)Kaleidoscopic Vibrations - Electronic Pop Music Of The Future1967France/USA
The Free DesignBubblesStar Time Bubbles Love1970USA
NEU!SuperNEU! 21973Germany
   
 
Brigitte Bardot & Serge GainsbourgBonnie & ClydeBonnie & Clyde1968France
Silver ApplesLovefingersSilver Apples1968USA
Rhys ChathamGuitar RingFactor X1983USA
Rufus ThomasSixty Minute ManDo The Funky Chicken1969USA
CaveBrigitte's Trip (White Light/White Jazz) Pure Moods EP2010USA
   
 
Lonnie Liston SmithCosmic FunkCosmic Funk1974USA
Herbie HancockChameleonHead Hunters1973USA
   
 
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra Movement 7
   / Movement 8		Promises (N)2021 (Luaka Bop)UK/USA
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