Talk:Stereolab

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Contents

[edit] 4th interval

The vocals are typically based around the 4th interval, uncommon in Western music.

I don't get it - I assume this means that the interval of a fourth is common in vocal parts, but maybe it means they tend to hover around the fourth note of the scale (eg the F in C minor). But whatever it means, is it really true? It's not something I've ever noticed in their music (but it's not something I've ever listened for, either). In any case, it certainly isn't true that the fourth is an uncommon interval in western music (but maybe something else is meant). So I'm a bit confused, altogether. --Camembert

Maybe they mean harmonies a 4th apart? -- Tarquin

Maybe, though that wouldn't be particularly unusual either (C-F-G-C anyone?). I think I'll listen to Dots and Loops - maybe all will become clear. I'll ask Tubby (who added the above) if he can clarify, as well. --Camembert

I didn't mean a leap of a 4th, I meant two part harmony with a 4th in between -- most western music uses 3rds, 6ths or octaves. (there's a 5th in the Siamese cats song in Aristocats... ;) having said that, it's still just speculation ... -- Tarquin 11:32 Dec 9, 2002 (UTC)

Ah yes, I see, I knew what you meant all along really, I was just testing you ;) Still doesn't sound like Stereolab tho... --Camembert

"I was just testing you"... are you sure you're not training to be a schoolteacher...? that was the trick they always tried to pull on me ;-) -- Tarquin

Heh - we had a music supply teacher once, who insisted that J.S.Bach had written the Messiah. It would've been quite funny, but she became rather aggressive and shouted a lot when we tried to correct her... --Camembert

Yeah, Tarquin's got it. I don't really know the theory myself, but my mother does and she pointed out that observation. The original sentence is not all that clear, but I don't really feel confident to clarify it. But yeah, Tarquin got it. -Tubby

Ah, thanks for the clarification. I'll fiddle around with the sentence and try to make it a bit clearer (hopefully). --Camembert
Look you mentalists, a 4th is just an inverted 5th - usually the they'll be singing it in that context (eg someone singing an F on top of a C, but the chord is F major anyways) ... occasionally, though, yes, they'll do that "added 11th" thing (ie add a 4th to an major chord, or a 7th or 9th chord). This is really not rocket science, and in no way remarkable, and should not be especially picked out in the article - all this would show is the general musical ignorance of Stereolab fanboys.--feline1 23:07, 27 January 2006 (UTC)
It is extremely rare for rock music journalism to feature anything like this; it is extremely unusual for rock musicians and fans to know enough about notes to understand what this means, let alone understand why it is unusual. Compare it doo-wop or The Supremes; it would make much more sense to the intended audience. Juryen 18:02, 5 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Mary's obituaries

Sources on Mary's death:

Very sad. --rbrwr

Most of these links are dead and need either updating or new links established. -Elysium

The links in the article reference section itself should work. (At least they all did a few months ago when this went through FA). - Merzbow 21:20, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] EP's

The EP section definitely has to be expanded. Stereolab has many more singles and EP's than what is listed. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=STEREOLAB&uid=CAW010603221547&sql=11:e91uakok5m3v~T22

[edit] GA/FA try?

Anyone want to help turn this into a GA/FA article? Stereolab being my favorite band, I have an inkling to do so, if I can dig up the time. - Merzbow 07:26, 1 May 2007 (UTC)

I'm working on a substantial expansion to the article now; while this is occurring some sections of the article may seem overly large or out-of-place in comparison with the others. Please drop me a note before doing any major surgery. - Merzbow 18:34, 27 May 2007 (UTC)
All I have left now is to add a new multipart "History" section. I'm working on it in my sandbox now. It should be ready next week, and will replace the current line-up section. After that, new pictures and sound clips have to be added. - Merzbow 02:10, 1 June 2007 (UTC)

It's been a true pleasure watching you develop the article over the last month (from [1] to [2]). Thank you for the hard work and good example :) --Quiddity 06:03, 1 June 2007 (UTC)

Thanks... appreciate the kind words. Let me know if you have any suggestions. I'm closely patterning the structure, tone, and style of this article after FA music articles like The Smashing Pumpkins, so I hope I'm not doing anything too risky. - Merzbow 06:43, 1 June 2007 (UTC)
Supported at FAC. The only query I have (which didnt seem worth bringing up there) is should Mary Hansen, Sean O'Hagan, and Katharine Gifford be added to the members list in the infobox? I've done so, but feel free to revert/tweak as I don't know my way around the details/conventions here. Thanks again for all your work :) --Quiddity 23:03, 13 June 2007 (UTC)
Looks good, I didn't know the infobox supported that field. I felt guilty about not including Hansen's name more prominently. - Merzbow 23:17, 13 June 2007 (UTC)
I think O'Hagan at least was a strong influence in their formative phase - Peng! - I'd put him in the lead alongside Ramsay & Hansen. Also, the sentence "their sound often overlays a repetitive "motorik" beat with female vocals sung in English or French" says more or less the same thing as the one before; ie Faust + melody. Or in other words Neu!. Ceoil 23:16, 13 June 2007 (UTC)
I'm not sure that sentence is unnecessary; "repetitive 'motorik' beat" explains things succinctly for the vast majority of readers not familiar with krautrock's sound, and "female vocals sung in English or French" isn't really implied. - Merzbow 23:22, 13 June 2007 (UTC)
It is repetition' considering that the Krautrock bands were Faust and NEU!, and that in both sentences you say the influence was married with a softer touch. It might be an idea to merge. The early eps are almost comical repitions of NEU 2 - eg the ! in Peng! as an obvious eg - and there is not a lot of Can or Amon Düül II in there. Bty I prefer Stereolab to NEU!, I was lucky enough to see ST 3 times before Ping! was released, and oh my. This is a trivial matter anyhow, the article is very good, and is the best overview I've read so far. Well done. Ceoil 23:36, 13 June 2007 (UTC)
The article is full of gushing POV and fan blabber, it would never make a FA without pruning all this stuff and being more objective. Whilst the degree of referencing things is commendable, I fear that simply referencing an very subjective bit of journalistic hyperbole doesn't make it encylcopaedic.--feline1 (talk) 19:23, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
Uhh, news-flash - it did make FA. I fear your analysis is flawed. I'll accept what you've changed so far, but I find no issues with the rest of the article. - Merzbow (talk) 04:31, 18 November 2007 (UTC)
Or the FA process is flawed :) --feline1 (talk) 12:51, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Discography redo, images

I've decided to redo the "Discography" session citing reliable sources (mostly All Music). In the near future expect to see it change a lot as I experiment with format. As part of this I've removed the cover art thumbnails because their use here is a violation of fair use guidelines - specifically, the guideline says that cover art is "not for identification without critical commentary". Since this article does not contain critical commentary on each album, it doesn't qualify. Further evidence for this interpretation is that none of the articles of bands that are featured articles have cover art thumbnails in their "Discography" sections. I know it looks better with the art, but if we ever want this article to achieve GA/FA, we need to abide by guidelines (which have been getting stricter lately as the Foundation has been limiting the scope of fair use - see this ANI thread). - Merzbow 05:17, 2 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] live performances

Though adittedly, it's been 10+ years since I've seen them, I did see them several times in the early-mid 90s. In particular, drummer Andy Ramsay had a ton of energy and hit hard when he played, and the rest of the band were definitely enjoying themselves. I thought it was great fun to watch the different musicians and note how they contributed to the overall sound. Boppin' bob is god (talk) 05:19, 12 May 2008 (UTC) MN