I've always HATED the term electronica, much like I dislike most generic labels (house, techno, downtempo, indie, etc.). I think "mainstream" if I hear a band described in one those terms. To me, the best artists or groups are the ones who can't be so neatly categorized - the ones who have their own sound. Here are a couple electro "tron"icas that most definitely don't sound like anyone else.

I remember 6 years ago (1999!) my friend Ed came up to me with an interesting looking Japanese digipak (Miss Black & Her Friends) from this trendy-sounding English band called Ladytron. This was THE band that he was currently into, and you've got to trust Ed because he always has his finger on the pulse of what's hip and happening. The thing with Ed is, once he gets it into his head that he likes a certain band, he will make every effort to track down every last available item of said band (which works out well for me because then I don't have to go broke trying to find things he already has =P). After hearing this new group, I could tell from the get go that they were destined for greatness.

Looking back, the first song I heard of theirs was KALX. Here was a melody which I simply could not get out of my head it was so damn catchy. Subsequently, they have gone on to make many more tracks that have equally appealing hooks which you'll find yourself humming uncontrolably. My feeling about Ladytron was that finally I had found a group that appealed to both my electro/synthpop AND indie sensibilities.

Unlike most other bands which tend to release progressively weaker albums over the span of their careers, Ladytron's 3rd and latest LP, Witching Hour, is probably their best work to date. Look for Ladytron in a town near you this coming year as they once again prepare to take the world by storm. It is worthwhile visiting Ladytron's website to register in the VIP area so you can check out loads of their tracks and videos. Also, pick up their hot (actually, it's kind of icy) new single, Everything You Touch.

My other favorite "tron" these days is Mutron, which ironically is the title of a Ladytron song. Considerably less well-known, this entity claims to have descended to Earth in July, 1974 in Roswell, New Mexico, though I suspect that he currently resides in Japan, as most of his gigs tend to occur there (plus the facts that his website prompts you to install a Japanese language pack for your computer and his real name is Yasuyuki Hirata). The music of Mutron has a decidedly sci-fi bent - I find myself thinking of Doctor Who and celestial choirs when playing his records. He's got couple of EPs released on Dekathlon Records, home to my New York-based android-in-arms, My Robot Friend. Currently, Mutron is busy repairing his broken mother ship to return to his home planet, but if you have PS2, Xbox, or other hardware and games, please send them to him so he'll be able to fix his ship.

Click here to download one of Mutron's otherworldly mixes.