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| For their fourth (yes, only the fourth) album, St. Etienne have traded
housey for mousey. Well, actually it's more a matter of taking a subtler,
more retro-pop-styled approach to their material -- this is a smooth
and sophisticated sound, with that "Europop" vibe that Stereolab
achieves and the Cardigans sometimes approach. Lush arrangements
and sonic intimacy are the rule; while you might want to crank up the
disco-anthemic single "Sylvie", it can also be fully appreciated at non-club
volume levels. This might also be the best way to enjoy the wistful longing
of "Mr. Donut", the seductive retro-futurist sounds of "Goodnight Jack"
or the lonely melodic drone of "Postman". There are no throbbing, pulsating
beats (at least, not by contemporary standards), no brain-needling 303 lines
and no overstressed samples. Trust me, you don't need them. You just need
Sarah Cracknell's voice, which can make even the glummest subject matter
sound sunny and cheerful, and the sort of quintessential pop melodies that
have always been part and parcel of the St. Etienne experience. As if any
further incitement was needed, the domestic release includes a second CD of
additional material. How can you lose?
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