Stereolab : Chemical Chords
 

I really like this album. One of my biggest problems with Stereolab is sometimes their songs just meander along aimlessly for way too long , but this album seems a lot more direct and focused. You can also really hear the effect Sean O Hagen has on the band when he's working with them. I thought I was listening to a High Llama's album in parts of this record.
Easily the best thing they've put out in a good while and I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this album.

I give it a very good.

Confession time. I avoided Stereolab during the 90s for extremely petty reasons: they were a consistent favorite among all the most pretentious people at my art school. Of course I realize that's a stupid reason to not listen to a band, so for some time now I've been meaning to check them out. Would you say this new album is a good place to start?

Probably not the best for a first album because it's a bit of a departure from what they normally do. Emperor Tomato Ketchup should always be someone's first port of call for a Stereolab album.
The 3 Switched On compilations are a good introduction too.

This would be best bought maybe 3rd or 4th after Emperor Tomato Ketchup , Mars Audiac Quintet and Dots & Loops.

Thanks!