Fab Four Suture - Stereolab
Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. 90
    Compare this latest instalment of vivid, left-wing existentialist pop with past triumphs like Mars Audiac Quintet and Emperor Tomato Ketchup, and it's every bit as good. [Apr 2006, p.102]
  2. Stereolab is arguably better now than it's ever been.
  3. Vintage Stereolab. [#13, p.95]
  4. 80
    Their naggingly overused Farfisa is balanced by otherwise beautifully layered, complex arrangements of trombone, electronics and harmony vox. [Apr 2006, p.118]
  5. 80
    The album captures the band's unmistakable sound but they've also added some new flavors. [May 2006, p.91]
  6. Even more than Margerine Eclipse, Fab Four Suture sounds like Stereolab has adapted -- if not fully healed -- from the loss of Mary Hansen.
  7. These are talented writers/performers at the absolute top of their game. Just as relevant now as they ever were.
  8. 80
    The formula is familiar... but the results can be stranger than recent 'Lab fare. [#71, p.91]
  9. Fab Four Suture is a virtual treasure map, a plane of possibility.
  10. Fab Four Suture is a solid, satisfying listen front to back.
  11. Not mind-blowing, but still a worthy trip. [10 Mar 2006, p.69]
  12. This anthology of new and previously released 7" singles is inevitably somewhat dishevelled as an album, but then this extraordinary band has always worked best in bite-size.
  13. It appears that the recording regime involved in focusing on a series of 7-inch singles rather than a new album has brought back some of the old creative spark.
  14. It is a little more scattered than the last few proper Stereolab albums in terms of musical threads, but the urbane electro-funk of "Interlock" as well as the jittery disco pomp of "Eye of the Volcano" prove that Stereolab is still tweaking the formula with one foot in Esquivel's grave and the other several light years away.
  15. Like all their best recordings, it sounds both like a "typical Stereolab album" and like nothing they've done before.
  16. There is nothing intrinsically bad about it of course, but the album is consumed by the already menacingly "not intrinsically bad"-ness of their canon.
  17. Simultaneously a structural free-for-all and a glossy collection of diverse material.
  18. The lack of a linear structure results in the individual songs banging against each other logjam-style, with the unfortunate effect that 'Fab Four Suture' begins to grate.
  19. Even longtime fans will have to wonder what the point is.
  20. There's no deely-bopping 'Wow And Flutter' on here. [4 Mar 2006, p.29]
  21. With no fresh ideas or strong melodies to lighten the mood, [Sadier's] icy hauteur makes for bland and featureless listening. [Apr 2006, p.120]
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. DavidR
    10
    This is a Beautiful, poetic and diverse album. There is an improvement in the band's style... each tune manages to be wrapped in the most exquisite originality. The song I like the most of this album is "Whisper Pitch", magical sounds, a flawless ethereal landscape that reminds of one of those idyllic romance scenes from literature. "Interlock" is another excelent son, a funky vibe surrounds this song in a very original and psychedellic wave. Tlakin about the lyrics I can say tha tehy're very profond, like the ones in "Eye of the Volcano". Indeed this is a very good album, is much better than margerine eclipse and is as good as emperor tomato ketchup. Full Review »
  2. ArnoldD
    9
    Quite a cheeseburger!
  3. LeonardoF
    9
    less complex than their previous releases, the groop is having more fun with their music. they're rocking more - the songs have funky basslines, danceable beats and great guitar work by tim gane. my favorite tracks are 'eye of the volcano', 'get a shot of the refrigerator' and 'excursions into the oh a-oh'. Full Review »