Velocifero
by Ladytron
  • Record Label: Nettwerk
  • Release Date: Jun 3, 2008
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 31
  3. Negative: 3 out of 31

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  1. BrandonD
    Jun 6, 2008
    8
    A great follow up Witching Hour. To me it seems like Ladytron does album styles in twos. Can't wait to see what's next.
  2. JustinR
    Jun 3, 2008
    7
    Ladytron still hasn't managed to overcome it's biggest obstacle to producing a great album, which learning how and when to end a song, which they've always been really awful at. They've got a great sound, their dual female vocalist gimmick is pretty sweet, but it would be great if they could hook up with a producer who would tell them to stop right there, don't Ladytron still hasn't managed to overcome it's biggest obstacle to producing a great album, which learning how and when to end a song, which they've always been really awful at. They've got a great sound, their dual female vocalist gimmick is pretty sweet, but it would be great if they could hook up with a producer who would tell them to stop right there, don't repeat that chorus for a 16th time, 15 was more than sufficient... Seriously, can someone help these kids realize their full potential?… Expand
  3. JamesB.
    Jun 10, 2008
    7
    I had a feeling it would be difficult to top (or even equal) their masterpiece, "Witching Hour", and Ladytron's latest confirms this. That's not to say that I think "Velocifero" is a bad album. That's hardly the case; only that it's not nearly as consistently good as its sublime predecessor. The usually, emotionally reticent, Liverpudlians came out of their "shell" (so I had a feeling it would be difficult to top (or even equal) their masterpiece, "Witching Hour", and Ladytron's latest confirms this. That's not to say that I think "Velocifero" is a bad album. That's hardly the case; only that it's not nearly as consistently good as its sublime predecessor. The usually, emotionally reticent, Liverpudlians came out of their "shell" (so to speak) on "Witching Hour", resulting in some of the best hook-laden Electronica/ Electro-clash/pop/etc I've ever heard, with nary a clunker in the bunch. However, with their latest, they seemed to have reverted back to a relatively cool (both temperature and attitude wise) stance, resulting in a loss of, I feel, forward momentum, artistically speaking (considering what came before it). Nearly half of "Velocifero" is great: "Versus" (the album's BEST track), "Ghosts", "I'm Not Scared", "Deep Blue" (icy, yes, but Mira's sexy delivery saves it), and "Kletva" (despite it sticking out incongruously) are my favourite tracks. The rest is decent-to-plain-weak. Just because it's more propulsive, energetic and dance-inducing (which, I understand has pleased fans of their earlier material) doesn't necessarily make for a "great album". However, "Velocifero" IS good enough to rate a 7.… Collapse
  4. VernardA
    Jun 19, 2008
    10
    Brilliant. Ladytron is one of the greatest acts of the 21st century so far. This album is stunning. IMO the song "the Lovers" is absolutely mindblowing!
  5. EludiumQ36
    Aug 11, 2018
    10
    Ladytron confirms how consistently great they are. Favorite songs from Velocifero: Black Cat, Ghosts, I'm not Scared, Runaway, Season of Illusions, Burning Up, Kletva, Predict the Day, Deep Blue, and Tomorrow. Amazing that there continue to be so many favorites album to album. Love their sound, their lyrics, their imagery, and the feeling the music inspires.
  6. Telerama
    Feb 3, 2014
    8
    With this fourth album, Ladytron does not surprise anymore, but, backed by and affirmed style in the course of the years, proposes today a astounding summary of this style. The fans from the outset will perhaps be disappointed, reproaching the group for repeating himself, others will certainly find their pleasure...if only they like Gothic and synthetic monotonous chants, with a strongWith this fourth album, Ladytron does not surprise anymore, but, backed by and affirmed style in the course of the years, proposes today a astounding summary of this style. The fans from the outset will perhaps be disappointed, reproaching the group for repeating himself, others will certainly find their pleasure...if only they like Gothic and synthetic monotonous chants, with a strong "eighties accent". The climate can be cold with a big sound and a martial rhythm, but the atmosphere is really captivating. Especially when Mira Aroyo sings in Bulgarian, like in the oppressing but hypnotic song "Black Cat". Ladytron preserves the troubling fragrance that makes his charm.… Expand
  7. arostislavna
    Dec 8, 2021
    8
    Some good songs, and some really forgettable ones. Not their best and not their worst. Honestly I think they were still trying to find a sound post-electroclash.
  8. goldman930
    Jul 22, 2020
    10
    The Ladytron's peak. A vessel of electronic energy. Pervasive, everlasting and beautiful.
  9. Oneminded
    Apr 5, 2020
    8
    A welcomed follow up to the breakthrough Witching Hour album.

    It lacks a standout single to bop your head to but there’s plenty to like here. More heavy emphasis on drums and base lines with a slightly more melancholy tone, although the deport personal lyrics that showed up in witching hour and in subsequent albums is a tad lackluster in this release. However this is a great listen that    A welcomed follow up to the breakthrough Witching Hour album.

    It lacks a standout single to bop your head to but there’s plenty to like here.

    More heavy emphasis on drums and base lines with a slightly more melancholy tone, although the deport personal lyrics that showed up in witching hour and in subsequent albums is a tad lackluster in this release.

    However this is a great listen that demands repeated plays, with underrated tracks such as the closing “Versus” help highlight how nice of an entry this is to the Ladytron discography    … Expand
  10. Klayton1892
    Jan 1, 2021
    10
    Even with a somewhat diminished speaker-filling capability and a couple of songs that seem to have less actual energy than they should, Velocifero's subtlety will eventually reward further listens.
  11. xuxapreta
    Jan 1, 2021
    10
    Though the steaming electro missives of 604 can sound a bit uniform at times, Ladytron's buzzing bin of automaton female vocals and retro machine accompaniment intoxicates with illicit ease.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. musicOMH.com
    60
    The softness of Helen Marnie's voice against the rocky, stark landscape of Velocifero gives Ladytron its edge (something that doesn't work as well with the two tracks sung by Miro Aroyo in her Bulgarian tongue), but overall, it's never really enough.
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  2. Pitchfork
    72
    Even with a somewhat diminished speaker-filling capability and a couple of songs that seem to have less actual energy than they should, Velocifero's subtlety will eventually reward further listens.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    60
    So, while highlights such as Ghosts' glam-rock gallop or Tomorrow's saturnine dream-pop make gripping use of frowny minor chords, slab-like synths and frostbitten vocals, the relentless severity becomes a tad oppressive.
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