MP3: White Elephant

Ladytron returns with a new album, Gravity The Seducer, on September 13.

Keep reading for tour dates.

07-15 Barcelona, Spain – The Brandery
07-16 Tokaj-Rakamaz, Hungary – Hegyalja Festival
09-22 Phoenix, AZ – The Venue Scottsdale
09-23 San Diego, CA – House of Blues
09-24 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
09-25 San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
09-27 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
09-28 Vancouver, British Columbia – Commodore Ballroom
09-29 Seattle, WA – Decibel Festival
10-01 Denver, CO – Ogden Theater
10-03 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Cafe
10-04 Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre
10-05 Toronto, Ontario – Phoenix Concert Theatre
10-06 Montreal, Quebec – Telus Theatre
10-07 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
10-08 New York, NY – Terminal 5
10-10 Philadelphia, PA – Theater of Living Arts
10-11 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
10-13 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
10-14 Pensacola, FL – DeLuna Fest
10-15 Miami, FL – Grand Central

Less Than Jake – GNV FLA
There are still bands playing that mid-’90s punk/ska thing? Really? Why?

Look See Proof – Between Here And There
Another English band probably signed because they sound vaguely like Futureheads. Not bad, but not really original or particularly memorable.

Kylie Minogue – X
This didn’t sell that well, and has since been viewed as sort of a disappointment because of that, but I think it’s a pretty good album. Minogue continues to deftly blend club beats with an indie-pop sensibility to create a varied and fun piece of work. Artistically, Madonna would do well to follow her example.

Ladytron – Velocifero
I have a weak spot for this sweet gothy electro-pop. Ladytron sound like they’re never going to leave the ’80s behind and I’m totally thankful for that. (See also: the latest from M83.)

Phantom Planet – Raise The Dead
Phantom Planet continues to travel the Radiohead-lite road illuminated by The Bends, and end up turning out a pretty good pop-rock album with some slight art leanings. Bonus points for the children’s choir they include on “Leader” since it kills me every time.

Santogold – Santogold
I’m actually glad I didn’t get around to writing about this until now. had I tackled it when it first came out my review would have been filled with superlatives and announcements of “another great voice for her generation!” type stuff. Repeated listens have revelaed the album to be far less interesting that I originally thought, since it tends to wear its welcome out quickly. I still think it’s an interesting album, and “L.E.S Artistes” is a fan-fucking-tastic single, but it’s already showing its age and it’s barely a few months old.

We Are Scientists – Brain Thrust Mastery
More ’80s dance rock goodness. This is the opposite of the Santogold disc: I anticipated the giddy joys offered by its gloss and shiny pop would rub away pretty quickly, but I was wrong. I think I might like the sonic depth offered by Brain Thrust Mastery over the frenetic pop of the band’s Major Label debut.

What Made Milwaukee Famous – What Doesn’t Kill Us
And finally, let’s file this under pleasant surprises. From the opening notes of the anthemic “Blood, Sweat & Fears,” through the insanely catchy horn-laced indie-pop of “Sultan,” and through sweetly waning “Blood, Sweat & Fears,” this disc has yet to grow old to our ears. What Doesn’t Kill Us is equal parts earnest and engaging, playful and smart, and wholly satisfying.

Here’s a perfect song to get you through the weekend. Ladyton‘s new album might not be coming out until June, but you can download a song from it right now!

MP3: Black Cat by Ladytron

Ladyton is on a short list of bands that I’ve yet to see live but I really reaaaaally want to. No Ohio tour dates yet, though.

Keep reading for complete tour dates:

04/30 – UK, Manchester – Academy 3
05/01 – Belgium, Gent – Vooriut
05/02 – France, Paris – La Maroquinerie
05/03 – Netherlands, Amsterdam – Paradiso
05/05 – Germany, Berlin – Postbahnhof
05/06 – Germany, Munich – Backstage
05/07 – Italy, Milano – Magazzini Generali
05/09 – Spain, Madrid – Forward Festival
05/10 – Spain, Valencia – Forward Festival
05/13 – UK, Glasgow – Oran Mor
05/14 – UK, Newcastle – Ditital
05/15 – UK, London – Astoria
05/16 – Ireland, Dublin – Tripod
05/20 – Edmonton, AB – The Starlite Room
05/21 – Calgary, AB – The Warehouse
05/23 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
05/24 – Seattle, WA – Showbox
05/25 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
05/27 – San Francisco, CA – Fillmore
05/29 – Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda
05/30 – Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda
05/31 – San Diego, CA – The Belly Up
06/02 – Salt Lake City, UT – In The Venue
06/03 – Denver, CO – The Gothic
06/05 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
06/06 – Austin, TX – Stubbs
06/07 – Houston, TX – Meridian
06/08 – New Orleans, LA – House Of Blues
06/10 – Orlando, FL – Club Firestone
06/11 – Tampa, FL – Czar
06/12 – Miami, FL – Studio A
06/13 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
06/15 – Manchester, TN – Bonaroo Festival
06/16 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
06/17 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theater
06/18 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall
06/25 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
06/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Theater of Living Arts
06/27 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar
06/28 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
06/30 – Boston, MA – Paradise
07/02 – Montreal, PQ – Metropolis [Jazz Fest]
07/03 – Quebec City, PQ – Théatre Impérial de Quebec [Summer Fest]
07/04 – Toronto, ON – Harbourfront Centre
07/12 – Indonesia, Jakarta – Gorgeous Ground @ Pantai Carnival Ancol