Cracked LCD (2002)

Cracked LCD (2002) 

Absolutely terrific sound with a great melody. Then comes Mira’s non-singing voice and then Helen’s vocals - all of this create a truly unique song, one of the most outstanding on the second album. It’s right up there on the same level with The Reason Why, True Mathematics and Seventeen.

And it is simply amazing how the group performs it and how well Cracked still sounds with its trademark synths changed (and with more guitars):

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Another Breakfast With You (2001)

Another Breakfast With You (2001)

Interestingly with the exception of Discotraxx and Playgirl (and perhaps Commodore Rock) there are no really fast tracks on the first album. The speed is mostly on medium level, concentrating on the melodies and structure (a couple of tracks had excellent high energy versions later, most notably He Took Her To A Movie and Commodore Rock). Breakfast is a perfect example of this. Every word is on its right place in Helen’s vocals (surprise: she also has a non-singing part here - usually Mira is responsible for that), which carry the song to a satisfying ending.

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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.

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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.