Stereolab are a UK-based band whose style, mixing 1950s–1960s pop and loung… Read Full Bio ↴Stereolab are a UK-based band whose style, mixing 1950s–1960s pop and lounge music with the “motorik” beat of krautrock, was one of the first to which the term “post-rock” was applied. People frequently refer to their style as being "avant-pop." They are noted for the use of vintage keyboard instruments like Moog synthesizers and Vox and Farfisa organs. Stereolab is also notable for founding their own record label, Duophonic Records, with a grant from UK charity The Prince’s Trust. The band is often referred to as “The Groop” by their fans (and in the title of their song “The Groop Play Chord X” on the album Space Age Batchelor Pad Music).

They were founded in 1990 by songwriters Tim Gane (guitar, keyboards), formerly of the band McCarthy, and Laetitia Sadier (sometimes credited as Seaya Sadier; vocals, keyboards, trombone, guitar), who is from France and sings in both English and French.

Over the years, Gane and Sadier have enlisted a large number of other musicians to accompany them on stage and on record. The initial line-up featured Martin Kean, formerly of The Chills, on bass, and Joe Dilworth (from their Too Pure label-mates Th’ Faith Healers) on drums, with Russell Yates (of Moose) and Mick Conroy (ex-Modern English) also appearing at early live shows. In 1993 they recruited Andy Ramsay (drums), who has remained in the group line-up ever since, and Mary Hansen (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion). Hansen’s distinctive backing vocals became an important aspect of the Stereolab sound, and she remained a regular feature of the line-up until her death in a cycling accident on December 9, 2002. Multi-instrumentalist Sean O’Hagan of The High Llamas has also been a frequent contributor, particularly with string, brass and keyboard arrangements to the band’s studio albums. John McEntire (Tortoise) has also contributed keyboard, electronic effects and studio help over the years. Other members have come and (in some cases) gone over the years, including Duncan Brown, Dave Pajo (from Tortoise), Richard Harrison and Simon Johns (all bass); Gina Morris (vocals); and Katharine Gifford and Morgane Lhote (both on keyboards).

Early Stereolab material displayed a heavy influence of krautrock sounds, particularly Neu! and Faust, characteristically relying on droning, repetitive guitar or keyboard riffs, with or without vocals. Early heavy use of distorted Farfisa combo-organ sounds were also reminiscent of early recordings by The Modern Lovers. As the band developed, they incorporated new instrumentation, and an increasingly complex sense of rhythm and structure, frequently making use of irregular time signatures as well as unorthodox chord progressions and melodic intervals. The band has often made copious use of female backing vocal lines.

Lyrically, Stereolab’s music is quirky (song titles evoke memories of 1950s science fiction stories, and are often borrowed directly from old films and records of the period, but have nothing to do with the song’s content), but highly politically and philosophically charged, sometimes with a decidedly Surrealist or Situationist bent. (Sadier notes the libertarian Marxist theoretician Cornelius Castoriadis as a particular inspiration.) Sadier’s lyrics, in both French and English, often read like highly condensed sociological texts, standing in deliberate and distinct counterpoint to the lush hedonic pop sound of the band. A prime example would be “Ping Pong” from Mars Audiac Quintet, which is an explicit restating of Marxist theory concerning the relationship between economic cycles and war cycles.
Stereolab earned a minor place in the Britpop movement, with their sound proving influential to bands like Blur: occasional keyboard-driven b-sides and singer Damon Albarn’s love of retro keyboards showed the influence, and in recognition Laetitia Sadier was invited to provide vocals on “To The End” from Parklife.

Despite the band’s fan base and critical acclaim, Stereolab has not achieved high levels of financial or popular success. On June 7, 2004, suits at the Warner Music label (to whom the band was signed in the U.S.) announced they were dropping Stereolab in response to the poor sales (40,000 to that date) of Margerine Eclipse. This was part of an ongoing effort by Warner to cut costs; The Breeders and Third Eye Blind were also dropped from the label for this reason. Laetitia Sadier is now also a member of Monade, which is essentially expressive of her own singular musical goals.

Blips
Stereolab Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I pick up by the handful
The somber heap at my feet
Eyes closed to see the hopeful
Trusting my deepest instinct

I pick up by the handful
The somber heap at my feet
Eyes closed to see the hopeful

Trusting my deepest instinct

But I go on,
Dawning light,
Task of hope

?
Dawning light,
Task of hope
?

At last dare to raise my eyes,
I saw the ship in the stars
Strong of glittering fleet,
Bringing light to the new born

I pick up by the handful
The somber heap at my feet
Eyes closed to see the hopeful
Trusting my deepest instinct

At last dare to raise my eyes,
I saw the ship in the stars
Strong of glittering fleet,
Bringing light to the new born

In a dawn light,

Task of hope,
These are stars

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Stereolab's song "Blips Drips and Strips" are open to interpretation and can be perceived in different ways. On the surface, it appears to be about picking up some sort of somber heap and trusting one's instincts to move forward with a task of hope. This heap is possibly a metaphor for past failures, disappointments or struggles that could hinder one's progress. The persona, despite the obstacles, goes on with a mission that requires hope and perseverance. The dawning light represents a new beginning, a fresh start. The ship in the stars and its glittering fleet metaphorically symbolize a brighter future, hope and positivity. The new-born can be interpreted as new opportunities, new ideas, or the birth of a new dream, feelings of optimism or possibly a new child.

The words, however, are not entirely clear whether they express positive or negative feelings. The somber heap may be an ambiguous expression of the persona's emotions. Nevertheless, the song's tone is optimistic, and it is likely that the lyrics emphasize the human capacity to see the silver lining in difficult situations. The lyrics also suggest that even though life is complicated, one can always trust their deepest instincts to lead them to a path of hope and light. Overall, the song seems to be an encouraging reminder to persevere through the tough times and hold onto hope for a better future.

Line by Line Meaning

I pick up by the handful
I collect small bits and pieces

The somber heap at my feet
The dull, lifeless objects lying beneath me

Eyes closed to see the hopeful
I need to close my eyes to see the potential of these objects

Trusting my deepest instinct
I rely on my inner feelings to guide me

But I go on,
Despite it all,

Dawning light,
The beginning of a new day,

Task of hope
An important job that carries a promise of positivity

At last dare to raise my eyes,
Finally muster the courage to look up,

I saw the ship in the stars
I witnessed a majestic vessel in the sky

Strong of glittering fleet,
A mighty and gleaming group of ships,

Bringing light to the new born
Illuminating a fresh start