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The latest collection of Stereolab's very own Laetitia Sadier's solo extracurricular activities between 1996 to 2002 proves that somehow old 'Lab habits die hard. Socialisme ou Barbarie seems like a Mini-Me version of the 'Lab at first listen: the characteristic repetitive groove remains, but with a more scaled-back orchestration consisting of an elegantly simple juxtaposition of easy jazz and Baroque keyboard treatment. In addition, Sadier's absurdist knack still reigns supreme in "The Swimm" and "Vol de Jour," as she sings the wonders of a cardboard box.
Going through Socialisme's exotica motions, one can picture Sadier sitting on her bachelor(ette) pad at a lounge-style gathering with a party-like-it's-1959-or-1969 feel. Inspired by Muzak and Bacharach, Socialisme ou Barbarie gleans retromodern artifacts that remind us of bouffant wigs, platform shoes, and old movie themes (case in point: the aforementioned high-register-bass-cum-percussion-heavy "Vol de Jour"). Stereolab's bent on bossa nova breeze blows through in the album, waxing nostalgic of a day far removed from gross commodification of popular fluff culture and masses falling prostrate at the feet of American Idolatry, all of which would have been great fodder for lyrics laced with Marxist ideology. The 'Lab had accomplished just that in the memorable Mars Audiac Quintet and Dots and Loops, for instance, but Sadier, under her nom de guerre Monade, lilts lovelorn musings through her silky, warm contralto instead of pounding heady philosophy lessons in normal 'Lab fashion. This time Sadier appeals more to matters of the heart than the gray matter, baring her soul in "Enfin Seule": "tu me fais mal, alors je pleure" ("you hurt me, so I cry") and the bouncy "L'Express": "c'est la chaleur de l'amour" ("it's the warmth of love").
Sadier's willingness to spin out purely romantic melodies is a wise move. As France has recently gotten plenty of flak due to its staunch opposition to the Iraq war, Sadier is probably on a safe mode, steering clear of anti-war declarations, a longtime thematic staple of the 'Lab. Socialisme ou Barbarie, in essence, is a kick-back pacifist (or even pacifier) recording that grows sweeter with every rotation in your CD playlist.
NANCY HUTAGALUNG
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