Interview

The Reason Why (2002)

The Reason Why (2002) - All Time Ladytron's best No. 8

Let’s continue with a track (again from the second album) which is pure Ladytron. Sound and structure of the finest meet here: although it begins like „simple” electro pop, the second half transforms into something totally new. The text and refrain („You're secondhand…” + „That’s the reason why…”) disappear completely and what we hear is sound no. 2 with some female vocals without words (most probably Helen’s). To sum up, a track with lots of surprises, every minute something new and in the second half catharsis pure.

Interview

Mu-tron (2001)

Mu-tron (2001)

The very first LT track on an album, Mu-tron reminds me of a machine which starts functioning very slowly. It clearly shows what to expect musically from the following tracks on the album (but overall from LT) and - although no vocals here - it’s as good as the second album’s opening, True Mathematics.

Interview

Jet Age (2001)

Jet Age (2001)

Track no. 15 on the first album starts in fast-paced rhythm but Helen’s voice quickly takes over and Jet Age transforms into a conventional pop song - but a great one. The verses do a good job in setting up the refrain which is quite memorable but the real highlight comes at 2:38 where we hear something like a Greek guitar (in a LT track you will never know for sure if you really heard a guitar…).

Album review

Discotraxx (2001)

Discotraxx (2001)

One of the best tracks from the debut album 604, Discotraxx relies clearly on the sound, even the refrain is instrumental. Not that the verses are “just there”, they also carry the song to a perfect harmony between music and vocals. And there is also time for Mira’s Bulgarian monologue which is always welcome. The live versions (check for example Sofia, KCRW) are even more complex, richer in the sound - and beautiful.

Interview USA

Light & Magic (2002)

Light & Magic (2002)

This is the title song of the second album and it sounds perfect in the album (track no. 14) - and also in the live version. The latter is a straightforward pop song with the typical LT-sound; for the former one would say “it’s like Jean-Michel Jarre” but I don’t agree with that. It’s a great summary of LT’s first two albums, while for the third one, Velocifero, the sound became more powerful, more Ladytron-esque.

Album review

Album review

Performance review

Interview

 

Review

Performance review

Interview

Interview

Review

Single

Interview

Single + Interview

Intro

Instead of a long introduction let’s see and hear why Ladytron is one of the best pop groups of this century. Either in studio…

Or on stage…

…the music of LT features great songwriting, memorable lyrics and a truly unique sound which is a masterful mixture of pop, electronic music and the eighties (and here I won’t start with the Kraftwerk-bullshit, you will get enough of that from the articles shown later).

Besides the articles I will take a closer look at all the tracks from the albums (6 released since 2001: 604, Light & Magic, Witching Hour, Velocifero, Gravity the Seducer and Ladytron - self-titled) also with an emphasis on the various live versions (Live at London Astoria etc.).

As for the articles (which feature single- and album reviews, interviews with the band, concert reviews etc.) special thanks go to Craig who did a great job of collecting LT stuff over the years.