Stereolab: Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcement 2LP

Let me start by saying this is one of my favorite records of all time, so when I saw it on vinyl, I had to pick it up.However, the vinyl pressing on 1972 is absolutely terrible. It is cold and muddled, and sounds worse than CD. Which makes sense, because whatever idiot mastered this pressing did so off of a cd.After buying this, I did a little bit of internet searching and found the band hates the sound of this pressing, and has advised fans not to buy it.I strongly recommend people check out this band, and their wonderful music. But please, stay away from this vinyl pressing

In 1993, when Transient Random Noise-Bursts With Announcements came out, I heard, on the satellite radio set up I had which, back then, was called "DMX" and you got it through your cable company, a new song by Stereolab, who, before that, I admit, I had only heard of and had not had the chance to hear them yet - but they played a shortened version of the 18 minute-long "Jenny Ondioline" and after that I was instantly hooked. I remember going to this local record store and buying the record. I didn't even have to hear anymore from it, I just knew that this was going to be a great CD and I wasn't disappointed. Every song on Transient Random Noise-Bursts With Announcements is a gem. They all are ethereal, dreamy, laconic and just plain brilliant. They're niche was making fabulous music using "obsolete" musical equipment, such as old Moog synthesizers, analog mixers, tape loops, a farfisa organ, guitar, bass and drums, of course and other anachronistic - for the new digital age - equipment. This gave them a unique sound, one I've not heard repeated by anyone I can think of. Just a couple weeks ago I made up my mind to repurchase this amazing album that somehow got lost in transit as I've moved so many times, so I got on Amazon.com and ordered it. I can't pick out one song and say it's my favorite, since each song is a brilliant opus in itself. But as for catchiness and the sticking-in-your-head all day quality, I'd say that "Crest" fills that category perfectly, as does "Pack Yr Romantic Mind". Like I said, every song is a masterwork so I don't want to sound as if I favor one more than another. The production value on this is equally brilliant - the way the songs are laid out shows a great instinct and ear for the continuity of the album - each song is placed right where it should be: the aforementioned 18 minute long "Jenny Ondioline", song seven, is at just the right spot, it is built up to by the previous tunes, including "Our Trinitone Blast", "I'm Going Out of My Way" and "Pause", which is the segueway to "Jenny..." After that long trance you're left with three more tunes: "Analogue Rock", "Crest" and the finale: "Lock-Groove Lullaby" which completes this, one of my favorite if not THE favorite of mine by Stereolab. I've seen the band twice in concert and to their credit, they pull off onstage what they can do in the studio perfectly and there was no off-moments. If anything, they really outdid themselves. If you've never heard Stereolab before, I would recommend Transient Random Noise-Bursts With Announcements as a way to familiarize yourself with the band. They also seem to love to make music as is reflected in the many, many CDs they've put out since there beginnings in the late 1980s. As to how many discs they've actually recorded, I cannot say for sure, but I'd hazard a guess of at least 20 and that might even be low. - 5 Stars - a perfect album! -Reviewed by Kent Manthie

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.

One of my favorite rock albums. I have trouble deciding whether this is my favorite Stereolab release or Emperor Tomato Ketchup is, but I guess it doesn't matter, because they're both incredible and infinitely replayable (I'm leaning towards ETK, though). This music never loses its power. I see it as a celebration of the times we live in, while at the same time, a critique. I like all 10 tracks about equally, though Jenny Ondioline is definitively my favorite.As most people who are familiar with Stereolab know, the band went through considerable stylistic changes through the years, with much more refined instrumentals and production later in their career. They also moved towards mellower material. This is early Stereolab, so there's lots of heavy guitars and lengthy "jamming" sections, but the songs are still dynamic and intricately layered.

What a strange set of sounds!?Put-off completely at first, I gave it several listens, then a few more, and wound-up dancing..I like it now.A lot.Still don't understand it.Oh well...

I am not gay

Another classic by stereolab

Beyond