Their lyrics aren't particularly deep, the vocals aren't exactly showing a wide range of pitch or even emotion, originality between songs is mostly lacking, and though the backing is pretty boss, the main melodies are on the verge of being nursery rhymes....
... and yet I adore this band, with their smooth and entrancing synth, simple lyrics sung with Helen Marnie's silky enticing northern/scottish accent.
I can't shake the idea that I'm listening to low quality barely thought out music, but I also can't shake the idea that anyone's trying to sell me on them either.
They just put out these WYHIWYG songs, and there's this sense of raw honesty to their bleak and bland style that really jams with me.
Music without pretense, subtext, or reference. Just music. I love it.
My mate thought they were great but I just didn't get it. Their music seemed really bland and uninspiring. Just non-descript songs one after the other. Usually I leave a gig with some lyrics or chords or something sticking with me. Not with Ladytron. I felt... nothing, nothing but relief it was over. It was just some below average synthpop. There was nothing I'd call a hit, or in any way memorable. It stands out as one of the worst gigs I've ever been to, perhaps the worst (and I've seen Van Morrison arrive over an hour late and play obscure tracks for 45 mins whilst obviously drunk). Each to their own, but deffo not for me.
I agree with everything you said, but still.... :"(