Stereolab

This British-French outfit started out in the early 1990s, with a sound that incorporated French-chanteuse vocals, primitive electronics, and Velvet Underground-meets-Neu chugging rhythm. Over the years, they refined their approach immensely, with echoes of sophisticated '60s pop, Steve Reich/Philip Glass-like minimalism, and increasingly more accomplished use of synthesizers. With the help of pals like Gastr Del Sol's Jim O'Rourke and High Llamas mainman Tim O'Hagan, they crafted classic albums that rank among the finest productions of the '90s. In 2002, band member Mary Hansen was killed in a tragic accident, but the group decided to soldier on.

• rock
• pop
• post rock
• 1990s
• 2000s