Stereolab’s classic 6th studio album is back in circulation, still brimming with their most charming, jazzy bossa nova and gallic avant-lounge-pop charms and featuring vital input from Jim O’Rourke.
"This 1999 long-player from Stereolab divides opinion among critics and fans. If memory serves correctly, the NME awarded Cobra And Phases Group Play Voltage In The Milky Night a fairly scandalous 0 out of 10 back in the day, though the band's followers are far more likely to declare it as one of Stereolab's standout records. For instance, Deerhunter's Bradford Cox has cited it as one of his favourite albums of all time. Featuring a cast of thousands (or thereabouts), you'll notice Jim O'Rourke, The High Llamas' Sean O'Hagan, Tortoise drummer/producer John McEntire and Rob Mazurek of Chicago Underground fame. With all these fine musicians, Cobra And Phases Group is surely Stereolab's most sonically lavish long-player, putting every conceivable instrument (particularly ones that were popular in the 1970s, such as the clavinet and electric harpsichord) to good use. The sophisticated dalliances with progged-up, fusionist lounge-jazz are likely to send many running to the hills, but there's real magic at work in certain corners of this album. Just listen to the David Axelrod-like strings and baroque keys of 'The Emergency Kisses'."
