First time I heard Stereolab was in 1996. A friend had travelled to USA and heard something on the radio, called the radio to ask what song and group, got the album back to Brazil.... been a fan ever since.
The first few lines reminded me so much of Kilburn Towers by the Bee Gees from way back. Both are achingly beautiful tunes which are almost unlistenable, leaving me with a sense of profound sadness. The strings on both add to the melancholy.