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Thoughts on Ladytron? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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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.

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[-] [email protected] 14 points 4 months ago

Never heard of them but the cover screams mid to late 90s

*looks up online

Yup, formed in 99

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

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.

[-] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago

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.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

They definitely do have a Gothish vibe come to think of it, but I think they transcend it too

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

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!

[-] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago

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.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

They have a likeable hypnotic quality though

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

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.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I agree with everything you said, but still.... :"(

[-] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

I think they're fantastic. Ghosts is probably my favourite song from them.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Ghosts is a tune

[-] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

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.

[-] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

They're a vibe. I really like them at certain times.

[-] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago

"Destroy Everything You Touch" is one of my favorite songs

[-] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

Flicking Your Switch

Ladytron

Saw your visa card, and took a trip downtown

i don't really care that there's people around

9-2-3, 8-1-6

is the sound of them flicking your switch

8-1-5, 9-1-4

does this mean you don't trust me anymore?

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

from the pictured album, great song

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

I purchased the album on compact disc when it was released. I remember getting it from the general store, where Mr. Willoughby would sell penny candy to us kids for a ha'penny if he was in a good mood. Then we ran down the road, rolling our hoops with our sticks. That was the day I got my first tricorn hat.

Yeah, in all seriousness, it's a great song.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

Ah, I remember listening to Ghosts as sung acapella by friends and neighbours down by the Baker street underground, as we hid from the Luftwaffe during the Blitz

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Those were the days.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

They're very comfortable to listen to, partly because they don't have much variety. 604 has most of their best songs (imo) Discotraxx, Another Breakfast with You, Playgirl, and Ladybird are all great, slightly sad sounding.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

International Dateline has that melancholy too

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

It's a great vibe

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

One of my all-time favorite groups - wild to see them come up as a random question lol. You're right, they're just ... Cozy. And have always just kinda done what they've done.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

You’re right, they’re just … Cozy. And have always just kinda done what they’ve done.

And I totally respect it!

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Absolutely same here!!

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

Ladytron is a feel. Good stuff for that vibe.

She Wants Revenge is another adjacent band from the same timeframe.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

they were ok when I saw them live with NIN

I prefer genghis tron

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

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:

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Peter Serafinowicz is cracking.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

He looks like a mix of Karl Urban and Daniel Craig

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

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.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Detachable Penis

I knew I knew that band name from somewhere haha

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

oh absolutely....his other song are great as well but that was the most popular.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

got any recommendations?

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

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

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

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.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

I checked their roadmap to see when they'd be next touring -- but nothing :'(

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

I like them!

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Great whilst on a ton of mushrooms

[-] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

I've never heard of them before but I'm going to go listen right now.

[-] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

Destroy Everything You Touch is always a banger

[-] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

Saw this post and that was the first song I thought of.

this post was submitted on 24 Feb 2025
70 points (88.9% liked)

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