ABC Music the Radio 1 Sessions

Often derided as "shoe-gazer" aesthetes, Stereolab’s dirty little secret is that they’re a lively, inventive, and surprisingly aggressive live band, and have been since their 1991 inception. These 32 tracks were recorded live in the studio for BBC radio hosts John Peel and Mark Radcliffe. The early songs have a garage-rock vibe; listeners are witness to the "groop" working through their influences, which they’ve never really tried to hide. "Anemie," for instance, is a Farfisa-fired homage to the Faust tune "Rainy Day." As the '90s progressed, the band's recording became more genteel and intricately arranged songs. But what some songs may lose in subtlety they make up for in force. Of particular note is 1996’s 10-minute "Metronomic Underground," a jagged space-age/Afro-rock workout. Fans shouldn't hesitate to pick up ABC Music, while newcomers might consider it as a playful and raw retrospective of this innovative pop band's career. --Mike McGonigal