Their lyrics aren’t particularly deep, the vocals aren’t exactly showing a wide range of pitch or even emotion, originality between songs is mostly lacking, and though the backing is pretty boss, the main melodies are on the verge of being nursery rhymes…
… and yet I adore this band, with their smooth and entrancing synth, simple lyrics sung with Helen Marnie’s silky enticing northern/scottish accent.
I can’t shake the idea that I’m listening to low quality barely thought out music, but I also can’t shake the idea that anyone’s trying to sell me on them either.
They just put out these WYHIWYG songs, and there’s this sense of raw honesty to their bleak and bland style that really jams with me.
Music without pretense, subtext, or reference. Just music. I love it.
Never heard of them but the cover screams mid to late 90s
*looks up online
Yup, formed in 99
Never heard them before either, but as soon as I did, I immediately knew that this would be on the Nettwerk label. In my book that’s a mark of quality.
Oh man, what a blast from the past. I love Ladytron. Discovered them during my more hardcore goth club years in my twenties. Still listen to them when I can.
They definitely do have a Gothish vibe come to think of it, but I think they transcend it too
Oh 100% I just discovered them from goth club djs :) They were very popular beginning of the century around here but I do think they’re one of the bands that go beyond that.
I was unaware thst they were still active though so thanks for your post because I got some listening to do!
I agree completely with your first paragraph.
I haven’t thought of this band in years, and just yesterday I was thinking ‘what was that shite gig my mate dragged me to in Liverpool about 20 years ago?’
Very odd to see a post about them the very next day.
They have a likeable hypnotic quality though
My mate thought they were great but I just didn’t get it. Their music seemed really bland and uninspiring. Just non-descript songs one after the other. Usually I leave a gig with some lyrics or chords or something sticking with me. Not with Ladytron. I felt… nothing, nothing but relief it was over. It was just some below average synthpop. There was nothing I’d call a hit, or in any way memorable. It stands out as one of the worst gigs I’ve ever been to, perhaps the worst (and I’ve seen Van Morrison arrive over an hour late and play obscure tracks for 45 mins whilst obviously drunk). Each to their own, but deffo not for me.
I agree with everything you said, but still… :"(
I think they’re fantastic. Ghosts is probably my favourite song from them.
Ghosts is a tune
Heard the simlish version of “Ghosts” in the Sims 2 years ago and was completely obsessed with their music for a while lmfao, that one and “Seventeen” still hold a special place in my heart.
That’s exactly where I got into them too hahaha
Ah man, some of my favorite bands sound like some dude in a basement with a keyboard, microphone & reel to reel recorder.
King Missile being the one I can recall off the top of my head.
Detachable Penis
I knew I knew that band name from somewhere haha
oh absolutely…his other song are great as well but that was the most popular.
got any recommendations?
Los Retros -someone to spend time with strictly ballroom now…my made up head cannon about this band is it is a group of good musicians who play with the lead singer because his dad is rich and gave them all instruments & a studio to record in.
I like there stuff because they play very well even though unhinges vocals, which…grow on you as you listen more and more. -a picture -crickets -I love -a sudden interest in nature -trains in the distance at night
The Brian Jonestown massacre -anemone
Neutral Milk Hotel …pretty much all of it
Milky Chance -save your tears -stolen dance -unknown song
I like them. Fell in love the first time I heard Light & Magic. Still listen to that album a few times each year :).
Another band that sort of sounds like them is Client.
Fantastic. Got the opportunity to see them live in 2022 and it was a great show. Didn’t think I’d ever have the opportunity.
I checked their roadmap to see when they’d be next touring – but nothing :'(
Also, I realise someone released a parody of them before they were properly popular. This is a show called Look Around You which had a segment which tried to predict what music in the year 2000 was going to sound like:
- Look Around You - I’m Rapping (rap parody, famous on the net)
- Look Around You - Macadenu (no words…)
- Look Around You - Toni Baxter (ladytron parody)
Peter Serafinowicz is cracking.
He looks like a mix of Karl Urban and Daniel Craig
Ladytron is a feel. Good stuff for that vibe.
She Wants Revenge is another adjacent band from the same timeframe.
I’ve never heard of them before but I’m going to go listen right now.
Destroy Everything You Touch is always a banger
I like them!