Extended Play

by

Ladytron

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Like the other reviewers, I was blown away by The Witching Hour. I consider it the best album of 2005. However, when I bought this b-sides and remixes compilation, I wasn't expecting Witching Hour part II.

I had already heard what the reviewer calls "new tracks" as they were released as b-sides to the singles released in Europe and available in the US on import. All are great; Mira gets a little more voice time on "Nothing to Hide," and the two instrumentals are amazing feats of technical and artistic skill.

I was also impressed by the remixes. The Jagz Kooner remix of "Sugar" is amazing, sure to get even the most aloof shoe-gazing indie kids to start tapping their feet and maybe even thrash around the dance floor.

The club mix of "High Rise" may be repetitive, but what club mix isn't? That's the way it's meant to be, and I for one love it. It takes the opening bits of the original, extends it, then progresses to a frenzy. Following a chill interlude, more fabulous frenzy until it drops off, leaving me a bit breathless.

"Destroy Everything You Touch (Catholic Version)" is a bit dirge-like, although perhaps it provides insight as to what has driven Ladytron's sound.

I could go on as the other two remixes are each a sonic revelation.

The bonus DVD is great, and as mentioned, the video for "Destroy Everything You Touch" is awesome. It is also very Ladytron, as their sound is often referred to with multiple adjectives synonomous with icy/chilling/remote etc.

The video for "Sugar" is not so heavy on the special effects and may not be quite as imaginative, but it is of a superior film quality than what is the norm for most videos.

The documentary is a riot. Ladytron have never been very open about themselves personally, and this doc is not intended to show insight into who they are. They never print their own lyrics, so obviously they like things to be open to interpretation.

It's fascinating for me as a Westerner to be shown a peek into a culture that doesn't traditionally get much visual exposure. Most of the live performance bits are obviously not meant to be depicting Ladytron actually singing the overdubbed tracks. At one point, they leave the stage as the overdubbed song continues. So the reviewer's complaint is without merit. During the final performance scene, however, the music played is obviously what Ladytron is performing. The other scenes they may have been singing older material, and all the overdubbed music is from the "Witching Hour" album. It is a piece of art, and not intended to be a live performance documentary.

I just want to know what Mira says after the credits roll??