Sunday, January 4, 2009

Ladyhawke

Artist: Ladyhawke

Album: Ladyhawke

Label/Year: Modular Records, 2008


By Aimee POWER

Semantic Volume 1, Issue 8


This past Fall, a few friends of mine had been raving about this sexy dance beast dubbed Ladyhawke. While traveling, I saw a poster for an upcoming show, and I was quite excited until I learned that the show was actually for Ladyhawk, a scruffy rock band from Vancouver. Oops. This prompted me to do my homework and acquire a copy of the real lady’s one and only album, Ladyhawke.

It came out last September from a New Zealander who is clearly influenced by the eighties - obviously, she is a die-hard Stevie Nicks fan. Although the current 80’s revival is awesome to some and nauseating to others, she embraces her love for that era in her self-titled album. You were warned. Although many pop-dance artists have been recently going down the sparkly-synth-y route, I find that Ladyhawke has proven to be much more versatile. The songs “Crazy World” and “Love Don’t Live Here” have a strong Pat Benatar rock vibe while “Morning Dream” is very romantic, almost cutesy. Ladyhawke’s big singles, “Back of a Van” and “Paris is Burning” are rad dance songs that will make you want to sing along obnoxiously on the dance floor or in your car. You can also find a remix of Paris is Burning by Peaches, which you won’t regret downloading.

All and all, I love the simplicity and youthfulness of this album. Although it is dripping with trendy nostalgia, I find it to be quite sincere and rockin’ amongst the sparkle. Request her at a local indie pop night near you.

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