Emperor Tomato Ketchup [Expanded Edition]

by Stereolab

Overview

Stereolab were poised for a breakthrough release with Emperor Tomato Ketchup, their fourth full-length album. Not only was their influence becoming apparent throughout alternative rock, but Mars Audiac Quintet and Music for the Amorphous Body Center indicated they were moving closer to distinct pop melodies. The group certainly hasn't backed away from pop melodies on Emperor Tomato Ketchup, but just as their hooks are becoming catchier, they bring in more avant-garde and experimental influences, as well. Consequently, the album is Stereolab's most complex, multi-layered record. It lacks the raw, amateurish textures of their early singles, but the music is far more ambitious, melding electronic drones and singsong melodies with string sections, slight hip-hop and dub influences, and scores of interweaving counter melodies. Even when Stereolab appear to be creating a one-chord trance, there is a lot going on beneath the surface. Furthermore, the group's love for easy listening and pop melodies means that the music never feels cold or inaccessible. In fact, pop singles like "Cybele's Reverie" and "The Noise of Carpet" help ease listeners into the group's more experimental tendencies. Because of all its textures, Emperor Tomato Ketchup isn't as immediately accessible as Mars Audiac Quintet, but it is a rich, rewarding listen. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	09/13/2019
Label:	Duophonic Uhf / Warp
UPC:	5060384616070
Rank:	2125

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Metronomic Underground
2. Cybele's Reverie
3. Percolator
4. Les Yper Sound
5. Spark Plug
6. OLV 26
7. The Noise of Carpet
8. Tomorrow Is Already Here
9. Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Disc 2

10. Monstre Sacre
11. Motoroller Scalatron
12. Slow Fast Hazel
13. Anonymous Collective
14. Freestyle Dumpling
15. Noise of Carpet
16. Old Lungs
17. Percolator

Disc 3

18. Cybele's Reverie [Demo]
19. Spark Plug [Demo]
20. Spinal Column [Demo]
21. Emperor Tomato Ketchup [Demo]
22. Les Yper Sound [Demo]
23. Metronomic Underground [Demo]
24. Percolator [Demo]
25. Tomorrow Is Already Here [Demo]
26. Brigitte [Demo]
27. Motorola Scalatron [Demo]
28. Anonymous Collective [Demo]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Stereolab   Primary Artist
Sally Herbert   Strings
Mary Hansen   Bass,Organ,Guitar,Vocals,Vox Organ,Percussion,Tambourine,Vibraphone,Electronics,Synthesizer,Farfisa Organ,Electronic Vibes,Piano (Electric),Analogue Synthesizer
John McEntire   Guitar,Vocals,Maracas,Marimba,Tambourine,Vibraphone,Electronics,Synthesizer,Electronic Vibes
Laetitia Sadier   Bass,Organ,Guitar,Vocals,Vox Organ,Percussion,Tambourine,Vibraphone,Electronics,Synthesizer,Farfisa Organ,Electronic Vibes,Piano (Electric),Analogue Synthesizer
Sean O'Hagan   Organ,Vox Organ,Wurlitzer,Vibraphone,Electronic Vibes,Piano (Electric)
Andy Ramsay   Bass,Organ,Guitar,Vocals,Vox Organ,Percussion,Tambourine,Vibraphone,Electronics,Synthesizer,Farfisa Organ,Electronic Vibes,Piano (Electric),Analogue Synthesizer
Tim Gane   Bass,Organ,Guitar,Vocals,Vox Organ,Percussion,Tambourine,Vibraphone,Electronics,Synthesizer,Farfisa Organ,Electronic Vibes,Piano (Electric),Analogue Synthesizer
Marcus Holdaway   Strings
Ray Dickarty   Sax (Alto)
Meg Gates   Strings
Duncan Brown   Bass,Organ,Guitar,Vocals,Vox Organ,Percussion,Tambourine,Vibraphone,Electronics,Synthesizer,Farfisa Organ,Electronic Vibes,Piano (Electric),Analogue Synthesizer
Morgane Lhote   Bass,Organ,Guitar,Vocals,Vox Organ,Percussion,Tambourine,Vibraphone,Electronics,Synthesizer,Farfisa Organ,Electronic Vibes,Piano (Electric),Analogue Synthesizer

Technical Credits

Stereolab   Mixing,Producer
Paul Tipler   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
John McEntire   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Vibe Master
Laetitia Sadier   Composer
Sean O'Hagan   Composer,String Arrangements
Tim Gane   Composer
Bo   Remastering