With the release of Witching Hour, way back in 2005, Ladytron jumped from being a band that I enjoyed to becoming a band that I loved. The album’s dark veneer gave a touch of substance to their always charming, but aloof sound. It was clear that the band was growing and the choices they were making were good ones.
I was equally excited when Velocifero was announced, but once I finally heard it the album never quite grabbed me. It didn’t feel as cold or engaging as Witching Hour (a contradiction I know, but there was something in that album which encompassed both). I know that I simply just need to give the whole album some more time, but something stopped me.
Just this week I discovered the Modwheelmod remix of Ghosts, the single which accompanied the release of Velocifero. I’m always a fan of remixes, but I always love ones that dial the tempo down instead of up. The song is stripped down to a spare selection drums and synth washes, letting the vocal interplay between Helen Marnie and Mira Aroyo take the centerstage in a bath of reverb. Simple and slow will always catch my attention…reverb never hurts too.
Los Angeles’s Modwheelmod is responsible for the reworking and is comprised of Alessandro Cortini and guitarist Pelle Hillström. Cortini was one of the producers on Velocifero and serves currently as one of the touring members of Nine Inch Nails (maybe this explains the NIN opening slot earlier this year?)
Ladytron - Ghosts (Modwheelmod remix)
‘Ghosts’ from 2008’s Velocifero
‘Runaway’ from 2008’s Velocifero
Ladytron Interview and Synth Tutorial from Nylon TV
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