Ben Cardew‘s latest book, Space Age Batchelor Pad Music, a tome about the much admired Stereolab, is as much a love letter to the band as it is a thoroughly researched and entertaining read.
Broken down across twenty chapters, each of which chooses a Stereolab track as a heading, we are taken on an exhaustive chronological tour through the band’s genesis from Laetitia Sadier and Tim Gane meeting during a European McCarthy tour, through the recording processes and interpersonal relationships of each album to the eventual original dissolution.
Although Tim and Laetitia chose not the be involved with the project, there are quotes from previously published interviews plus Ben spoke to more than fifty other people who are related in one way or another to the Stereolab universe. The use of various previously published interview excerpts (including one with Laetitia for Freq) help shed light on the minutiae of any questions he might have had and make for an acceptable substitute for direct interviews with the duo.
There are insights from Dave Callahan of Wolfhounds and Moonshake fame who was part of an early line-up — something I didn’t know — as well as really fascinating memories from the integral likes of John McEntire of Tortoise fame, Jim O’Rourke and Sean O’Hagan and the loss of Mary Hansen is covered with great sensitivity. Other less integral characters also have their say and these little snippets really help to flesh out the story.
It was enjoyable using the suggested tracks that head each chapter as a guide to re-entering the Stereolab world and I ended up digging out the records and playing them as I read. The short chapters mean that it is easy to pick up and put down and one of the book’s qualities is that it isn’t necessary to plough through the whole thing. It feels more like a box of chocolates; picking one, deliberating over it, going to the relevant album and appreciating the fresh perspectives on what you are listening to.
I think Space Age Batchelor Pad Music is an essential purchase for any Stereolab fan, whether hard-core or more casual, because it is guaranteed that you will learn something new. Ben freely admits that it is like a massive review and there are moments where he disappears down a rabbit hole, but the book is written with such charm and insightful opinions that you after comparing and contrasting with you own you can forgive the odd gushing moment.I am in the process of re-reading Space Age Batchelor Pad Music just because there is so much to remember; so yes, this is unreservedly recommended.
-Mr Olivetti-
