| | |  | Keyword Search: Lang Lang | Home » Transient Random Noise Bursts With Announcements | | | | | | | Description: | | On Stereolab's first proper American full-length, the group skillfully dissects past musical genres and recombines them in their own Dr. Moreau-like sonic laboratory-garage. The recording is among Stereolab's least labored, most groove-oriented efforts. There are experiments like the French-pop-flavored "Pack Yr Romantic Mind," but it's mostly a lovely, loud, decadent '90s rock record. The song titles reference obscure equipment, the sounds are made with arcane instruments, the repetitive guitar work is directly lifted from Michael Rother, and the cover image pledges devotion to vinyl (the musical obscurantist's medium of choice), but somehow the band never comes off as snobbish. Stereolab's music would not only spawn dozens of imitators, but the very stuff they drew inspiration from (Esquivel, Can, Moondog, Os Mutantes) was suddenly the starting point for any self-respecting hipster's record collection. More important, it totally rocks ("Our Trinitone Blast") while beaming sunny vibes ("Jenny Ondioline"). --Mike McGonigal | | | Product Details: | | | Audio CD Release Date:
| August 24, 1993 | | Studio:
| Elektra / Wea | | Number Of Discs:
| 1 | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 26 reviews |
| | | Track Listing: | | | 1. | Tone Burst | | 2. | Our Trinitone Blast | | 3. | Pack Yr Romantic Mind | | 4. | I'm Going Out of My Way | | 5. | Golden Ball | | 6. | Pause | | 7. | Jenny Ondioline | | 8. | Analogue Rock | | 9. | Crest | | 10. | Lock-Groove Lullaby - Stereolab, | |
| | | Customer Reviews: | |
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My first Stereolab and still my favoriteJun 07, 2010
It may be because I'd never even heard of this band when this album fell into my hands in 1993, but almost 20 years later, this is still the album that enters my mind when I think of Stereolab.
The groop has released MANY fantastic albums and EPs over the years, and all of them are worth hearing more than once, but "Transient Random Noise Bursts With Announcements" really hits the spot for me. On this release, they found the perfect balance between being abrasive and being soothing... between being confrontational and being welcoming. Understanding the lyrics isn't strictly necessary, but when you start to pick them out after a few listens, it opens this album up in a whole new way and gives you plenty of new things to think about upon each listen. It's a very rich and rewarding experience, and one that I have enjoyed taking many times in my life. There are very few bands that I can say that about.
It's very hard to put into words the thoughts and feelings I have when listening to this album, or indeed Stereolab in general, because it reminds me of so many personal moments in my life, but this is definite "desert island" material for me. I just repurchased this CD again because my old copy is showing quite a lot of wear, but I still feel like it was money well spent. I am still as impressed and excited by this music in 2010 as I was in 1993. I wish I could say the same about most of the rest of the CDs I bought in the 90s.
 an overshaddowed gemApr 29, 2010
Emperor Tomato Ketchup and Switched On have been the only two Stereolab records that I find myself ever listening to with any regularity. Somehow, this record has now also creeped its way into the running, years after my first few listens. I will replay Transient Random with as much fervor and enjoyment as my other Stereolab favorites from now on. Its appeal is more subtle, often overlooked and well worth the download.
Intriguing Electronic CompositionsApr 19, 2010
For Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements, Stereolab's first album released on a major record label, the album title explains only a part of the story--the part that truly sets the band apart as unique. Creative experimentation with random instruments allows Stereolab to differentiate their distorted guitar strumming, driving bass, and sharp drum beats from counterparts in the early 90's.
The first track on the album "Tone Burst," opens with a style reminiscent of other bands from the grunge-alternative era, such as Nirvana or Dinosaur Jr. Snare fills lead to a simple guitar progression with an active bass much like songs from Stereolab's more heralded counterparts. In a departure from this more traditional composition style, organ chords fill the background of the song, providing a bigger, more full sound reminiscent of epic 80s anthems. "Tone Burst" never changes musical direction. Simple and repetitive, the devil is all in the details. Subtle effects are introduced at various points in between bursts of low key female vocals all in French. Volume changes shift the focus of the piece, from first bass, to vocals, and then finally to the organ, which becomes heavy near the end of the track.
Simplicity with subtlety describes Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements well, as the band inventively experiments with wild instrument effects and noises, keeping the listener entertained and hooked in without shoving it into his or her face. The second track, "Our Trinitone Blast," begins with a strange computer generated `blast,' piquing the listener's interests as a lead in for a plain and enjoyable pop-rock tune that ends with an intense distorted vocal loop.
The sounds used in the record, many of them electronically generated or modified, lead many to classify Stereolab in the genre `Krautrock', a style emanating from Germany that incorporated electronic experimental effects into rock music. Stereolab can certainly be considered a part of the evolution of electronic techniques into mainstream music. Their style is largely similar to grunge-era alternative rock bands, but pushes the boundaries of electronic instruments rather than adhering to the traditional guitar-bass-drums set up that characterizes so many of the others. Moog synthesizers and loud organs bring a fresh and poppy tone that is both intriguing and mystical.
Stereolab's willingness to experiment and try various strange effects on their album reveals their skill in composition. Balancing such an assortment of tracks could prove difficult, yet Stereolab embraces the complexity by placing effects or volume swells on certain instruments sporadically. These effects make simple rock songs deeper and fuller of life. "Jenny Ondioline", the album's longest track, is an 18 minute epic journey with many movements compiled in a progressive rock style. The drums, bass, and electric guitar parts repeat, aggressively driving the pace of the song. Meanwhile new effects and electronic parts, added and removed at various times, placing the song on a grander scale as if building up to an epic finale.
Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements represents an important early step in the synthesis of alternative and indie music with modern electronic techniques. Stereolab does a tremendous job seamlessly incorporating these new elements into their music and creating an well-layered, highly listenable composition.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
What a great songlist!Mar 09, 2007
THIS is the album I used to play before going out at night. Because of rock, noise, pop, and bossa. The neighbours wanted to kill me everytime "Our triniton blast" ended. And I'd wait all night until "Jenny Ondioline" fades out.
I think this is the one which defines best their style. Absolutely classic.
6 of 7 found the following review helpful:
The BEST Stereolab AlbumAug 18, 2005
This was Stereolab at its peak. A synthesis of sexy 60's pop culture noise, Neu-esque drone rock, and Jean Jacques Perrey's space age pop, with a 90's indie rock bend. This cd was my intro to stereolab in 1993 and it is their most memorable and rewarding in the end.
"Tone Burst" is a perfect example of a kind of cheeky 60's french pop thing with its droney vintage analog bleeps and Laetitia Sadier's sexy vocals gliding over the background in a manner that even touches upon "The Gift" by the VU. " Pack Yr Romantic mind" has that bossa thing going on for the first time in Stereolab's sound. "Im going out of my way" is an upbeat 60's rave up that ends with this cool experimental analog noise. "Jenny ondioline" is like a homage to NEU! clocking around 17 minutes of Sonic Youth-y, shoegazer-ish drone rock. If you can find it, there is a limited edition single for Jenny Ondioline that has a 3:51 edit of Jenny O and 3 rockin B-sides, most notably "French Disko", which later appeared in another version on Switched on Vol 2 on Drag City Records.
Any way you look at it this period of Sterolab was my favorite, and this cd is a great introduction to Sterolab's genius. It may even be the best, most consistent snapshot we'll ever see from Stereolab.
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