Sean O'Hagan

As the guiding force behind High Llamas and a floating member of Stereolab, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and arranger Sean O'Hagan developed a very specific sonic fingerprint -- Baroque '60s melodies, sweeping orchestral strings, and warmly bleeping vintage synths all commingled in smooth harmonies -- that helped define a small part of the indie sound of the '90s and proved influential to those who followed in both bands' footsteps. The High Llamas released albums throughout the decade that balanced Steely Dan-styled soft rock songcraft (Gideon Gaye), circular ar...