Like the 80s? Give this a listen (Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke)

Member Name: magenta23

Product:	Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
Date:	21/12/08 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some good tracks. One for the dancefloor

Disadvantages: Think it may be just 'of the moment'

Despite Ladyhawke getting a lot of good write ups in the music press (Q, NME) I found it relitvely difficult to find this album on the high street, it obviously didn't chart as high as expected. Eventually I got it from play.com a snip at £6.99 which is a brilliant price for a new release. It was £6.99 well spent as this is a good album.

Ladyhawke is the alias of Pip Brown, a cat-loving singer songwriter from New Zealand. Her writing style or at least, for this debut is very 80s influenced, fitting in well with current success of bands such as the Ting Tings and MGMT, Ladyhawke gives us a mix of 80s style electro pop and indie, which is so in at the moment.

I've listening to this album loads and it's something I would definately get up and dance to. Will it still be up there on my playlist in 3 or 4 years time? Maybe not, I think this is an album of the moment, I'd say definately one of the strongest to come out of 2008.. but I can't see it being a classic. It will be interesting to see how she follows this up. Reviews of her live performances having been amazing either. From what I can tell from her persona and her style is she's shy, or that's how she comes across.

Probably the most well known song from this album is 'Paris is Burning' which is very reminiscent of Gary Newman's 'Cars'. If you think along those lines, you'll have a pretty good idea of the feel of this album. She was right to release 'Paris is Burning' as a single. It's by far the best song of the album.

Lyrically the album is strong. Her lyrics are punchy and with attitude even if this is not reflected in her vocal performance. Track 9 on the album entitled 'Professional Suicide' displays this best. Appears to be an attacks on a fellow musician she clearly doesn't rate... lines such as 'I see you've got another bad line, you're playing rhythm and it's out of time' and 'I see you had a hit in '89, too bad we all don't age as good as wine' are great but they're words that should be snarled or screamed out not sung sweetly.

The album is 13 songs long and there's probably 6 really strong songs and the rest are good, but just good. High points of this album are 'Paris is Burning', the catchy 'My Delirium', Ladyhawke's next single release, and the beautiful finish to the album 'Morning Dreams'. This is the albums most romantic moment, she's still not letting us in completely but we see a little of Ladyhawke's softer side lyrically - 'Morning dreams come true cause I wake up next to you, and only for your eyes do I sing these lullabies' and vocally, her voice is soft and this song had a beautiful melody. A clever, softer ending to an other wise quite bitchy album.. not that that's a bad thing!!

I have to give a mention to the artwork of this album sleeve. Don't download this it's one to buy off the shelves as it's a great cover. I mentioned earlier in this review that she's a cat lover. This is paid homage to in the artwork. Gorgeous ink drawings of Ladyhawke with cats, bats and retro computer games make the artwork is enjoyable as the music.

Overall, as I say it is one of my top albums of the year.. however in my opinion there's been a lot of stinkers this year and maybe with stronger bands out there, Ladyhawke may not be shining so bright. I guess we'll see what she gives us for the next album.

Worth a listen if you like the 80s and cats!

Summary: A good album