Ladytron

One of the things that was always endearing about Ladytron was that they managed to make electronic/dance music that concentrated on songs instead of either creating a synthetic barrier of beats or relying on stock party anthem tactics. So when Velocifero opened with "Black Cat,” sung mechanistically by Mira Aroyo in Bulgarian over a barrier of beats, it was a little worrisome. Things open up a little with "Ghosts,” the lead single, which gallops along like a Soft Cell tribute under Helen Marnie’s vocals. Most of the album has harder edges and a bigger production, perhaps a result of their direct exposure to Trent Reznor during their stint opening for Nine Inch Nails. The bigger sound for a bigger stage, both literally and career-wise, pushes the humanity of the band a little to the rear. Tracks like "I’m Not Scared” and "Deep Blue” sound cookie-cutter-ready for dance compilation or teen movie end credits. Hints of carbon-based life peek through on a few room temperature tracks ("Kletva,” "Versus”) but mostly it’s a case of Pinocchio in reverse.