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.

  • Riley@lemmy.ml
    2·
    2 hours ago

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

  • Diddlydee@feddit.ukEnglish
    7·
    5 hours 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.

      • Diddlydee@feddit.ukEnglish
        2·
        3 hours 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.

  • Remember_the_tooth@lemmy.world
    3·
    6 hours 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?

  • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
    2·
    6 hours 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.

    • tetris11@lemmy.mlOP
      1·
      3 hours ago

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

  • HurlingDurling@lemm.eeEnglish
    12·
    10 hours ago

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

    *looks up online

    Yup, formed in 99

    • bstix@feddit.dk
      3·
      8 hours 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.

  • UnderFreyja@lemmy.ca
    8·
    10 hours 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.

    • tetris11@lemmy.mlOP
      2·
      10 hours ago

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

      • UnderFreyja@lemmy.ca
        3·
        9 hours 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!

  • dunz@feddit.nu
    7·
    11 hours 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.

  • Baaahb@feddit.nlEnglish
    3·
    10 hours ago

    Ladytron is a feel. Good stuff for that vibe.

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

  • Che Banana@beehaw.org
    3·
    10 hours 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.

          • Che Banana@beehaw.org
            1·
            1 hour 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