Album Review: Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke (2008)

The last few years has seen a slightly odd trend in people becoming obsessed with things retro, in particular fashion and, to a lesser extent, music. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing in the case of music - in fact, it's the best thing since sliced bread (unless you're gluten intolerant, for which I apologize half-heartedly for my lack of sensitivity). But fashion wise this has been disastrous. In New Zealand, where I live, for instance, as far back as last year the 'mullet' for a while became all the rage. Which is great for the ego of self-conscious bogans, but not for the rest of society in general. It's a bit like getting 30 stone hookers with stubble, sweatrash and a bikini line like a backyard garden in Jamaica to do nude modeling. It is just plain bad, and should be confined to the era in which it belongs. Another bad example of retro gone wrong is the BMW Mini. Why bother recreating a piddly like brick on-a-roller-skate that's built like a Congolese malaria ward that only made strong sales simply because people felt sorry for it. Plus, the new one is practically German anyway. Painting a union jack on the top of a new Mini is like coating a moldy scone in raisins and calling it spotted dick (as in the pudding). In this day of age, it's small wonder Queen Bess II pomps around in a 2 ton Bentley that has a rated gas mileage lower than the entire population of Bikini Atoll.

But, as I've said earlier, not all things old fashioned are necessarily bad. Ladyhawke's self-titled debut album, for instance, is proof trying to sound retro can indeed be a good thing. And when you do it well, like she has, then you've got an album that belongs on a pedestal. She has done exceptionally well in recreating the 80s sound on "Back of the Van", with the synthesizer punching out melodies like a tired heavyweight boxer and a Cyndi Lauper-like anti-climax on the bridge leading up to the chorus. "Another Runaway", in keeping with the general mood of the album, has the climatic qualities of an 80s power ballad. Even the more mellow tracks, like "Paris is Burning" and "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" hold my attention for the entire duration of the song, which is good for someone who loves tempo. Plus, unlike 95% of music produced these days, you can listen to every single track on the album and spare the fast forward button. Retro never ever sounded so good, and her next album better be as good, if not better, than this one. My verdict - Best album of the 2000s - ever! A+