Fast eineinhalb Jahre nach der Veröffentlichung von „Witching Hour“ in England ist es seit April auch dem deutschen Konsumenten möglich, das gute Stück als offiziellen Deutschland-Release zu erwerben. Major Records sei Dank. Bei einer solchen Veröffentlichungspolitik muss man sich nicht wundern, wenn Ladytron in Deutschland trotz Clubhits wie „Playgirl“ oder „Seventeen“ immer noch nur als Geheimtipp gelten. Eigentlich schade, ist doch „Witching Hour“ das bislang beste Album der Liverpooler-Band.
Auch im Rückblick ist meiner Rezension vom Winter 2005 nichts hinzuzufügen. Bis heute hat das Album nichts an Strahlkraft verloren und gehört zu den Schmuckstücken in meinem Plattenschrank. „Witching Hour“ steht für stilvollen Elektropop, Glam, großen Melodien und der Ladytron-typischen Coolness. Diese Mischung muss auch Trent Reznor begeistert haben, der die Band auf die (jüngst beendete) Europatour von Nine Inch Nails mitnahm. Und da es kein Geheimnis ist, dass hier der Chef noch höchstpersönlich und immer äußerst geschmackssicher auswählt, wer bei ihm im Vorprogramm spielt, dürfen sich nun Ladytron geadelt fühlen.
Im Anschluss an diese Tour schickte Unruhr folgende Fragen über den Kanal, um von Reuben Wu Antworten von J. Mascis-hafter Kürze zurückzubekommen (soll heißen, die Fragen sind länger als die Antworten).
You have just finished your European tour playing as opener of NIN. What was it like to play before NIN?
--It was a really great experience playing to such a big crowd most of whom had never heard of us. I think NIN’s fans are particulary open-minded so we’ve been getting really good resposces from the fans.
Since Trent Reznor personally chooses his openers, it certainly was great moment when the request for touring together came in, wasn’t it?
--Definitely. Also, the album Witching Hour has only just come out in Europe, so it was good timing to go out and do this. I thought Pretty Hate Machine and the Downward Spiral were fantatsic records.
Personally I think that “Witching Hour “ is your best album ever. How do you assess it now, one and a half year after the release?
--Still think it’s the best output we’ve made, but yes, it’s a few years old and we are well on the way towards working on the next album. Should be out next year.
In my opinion “International Dateline “ is the most outstanding song: an amazing Neo-Wave song that makes you press the repeat button. What does this song mean to you?
-- It’s one of my favourites too, particularly when we play live because the cadence of the song is so different to the others.
It seems that you don’t consider the German market as very important or what is he reason for such a belated release of “Witching Hour “ here in Germany?
--Not at all, We would have had the album released at the same time as the USA had it not been for some label complications we had along the way. The German market is of total importance to us, we’re just happy it’s out on the shelves now!
The time of the 80s revival is slowly fading. Critics might call your sound out-dated, rather pitying you. How much do you care for such kind of criticism?
--Who said that? I’ve never heard anyone write that! We have nothing to do with any 80’s revival…
What is the typical procedure like when you are writing songs?
-- write, record, produce, mix, release, tour, repeat.
“Witching Hour “ is a product from your past, so here are some questions referring to the future: Are you momentarily working on new songs, if so, what do they sound like?
In which direction is the sound of Ladytron developing?
--I wouldn’t like to say what the direction is at the moment but we have almost 30 songs already. As soon as we get back home we’ll be working on those songs ready for the new record.
You will go on making a DJ tour in the USA. What are the current top 5 songs on your playlist?
1 Goodbye Horses – Q Lazzarus
2 Waters of Nazareth (Erol Remix) – Justice
3 I dig U – Cult hero
4 Hanging on the Telephone (Ladytron Remix) – Blondie
5 Softpower (Vicarious Bliss Gutter Remix) - Ladytron
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Bilder: Pressefreigabe