Prelude to Ecstasy

This is a cracking album, and a couple of tracks from it appeared in my 2025 "most listened" list. It's great to know that acts like The Last Dinner Party exist. One of the hilarious things that surrounded their entrance to scene is that a load of people piped up accusing them of being "industry plants". Now, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness, a bona fide entry from (at least later editions of) the 1,001 list, discussed this at some length on his podcast/YouTube channel (episode: "Are they the latest industry plants?") where he says "If this is what it means to be an industry plant, I think the industry should keep on planting stuff" - and you kind of have to agree with him. Sinner is an amazing track, as is Nothing Matters. As performers, they are theatrical and campy, clearly drawing from rock legends like Queen and Roxy Music, but also new wave and baroque pop like Adam Ant. There's huge talent on display and I look forward to hearing more of their stuff.

I've been a fan of TLDP since mid-2023 when they had only one or two singles out. I was fortunate to see them 4 live times in 2024. They played Berlin recently and I couldn't see them because it was the same night as Magdalena Bay (whose album I've raved about here in that review). I'm seeing them at least twice this year (their follow-up album From The Pyre is a really good follow-up but definitely different) so am a massive fan and already love this album. The other comment addresses it but I hated the industry plant allegations. They are amazing live and have a strong point of view musically which I love. Plus the guitarist, Emily Roberts, is a massive Queen fan and has styled her playing after Brian May, which is an instant win for me. Now should they be on the list? They are so good but is it something that the OG list is missing? I feel like yes, they are doing something unique now but it's a throwback to an older sound but through a modern lens. I feel like with TLDP, they are still so fresh and their longer term impact is harder to evaluate. It reminds me of Wet Leg where I also wasn't sure. My personal rating: 5/5 My rating relative to the list: 5/5 Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.

Had a track pop up in a Spotify discovery playlist a while back, so I came into this with a taste of what to expect — and the full album absolutely delivered. Burn Alive opens with this air of mystery that hooks you in straight away, and the build through Caesar on a TV Screen and On Your Side sets up The Feminine Urge perfectly. Sinner is the undeniable highlight — what a track. Nothing Matters hit me right in the chest ❤️. The whole thing has this theatrical, cinematic energy that feels grand without being overdone. Incredibly impressive for a debut. These five are onto something special.

Loved this when it came out. Great example of good new music and album That did live up to its hype.

Prelude to Ecstasy is a (glam)rock album by British band The Last Dinner Party. It is very theatrical and campy. Not only in composition and performance, but also in lyrics. The ladies have listened a lot to Queen, David Bowie, Marc Bolan and Elton John. The music may not be that original, but the writing is strong and it sounds like a fresh take on the (sub)genre. Maybe years later it will become clear it was an important album, but at the moment it's just lots of fun and there is nothing wrong with that.

Strong vibes of a much earlier era to me - that orchestral rock thing which is mostly a thing of the prior century. Back in a Millenial reincarnation. Pretty good stuff, a bit marred by a sense of self-importance. Oh well, mid-late 20s is prime time for taking onesself a bit too seriously so I'll grant that some grace. Off the beaten path and good on them for that.

Take Chapelle and add some more rock chords and Queen-esque power harmonies. I love it! Sinner and Nothing Matters have come up a few times on my algorithm, and I enjoy them even more in context

Rare to hear an indie effort nowadays that draws on so many inspirations yet feels entirely new. I’ve enjoyed a few singles from this band, but never dove into the full LP and definitely missed out as a result. It’s incredible how rich and full in the arrangements are here, the production space packed to the gills but never feeling melodramatic or overstuffed. The vocal harmonies/instrumentals are incredible as well, and create layered tracks that feel like albums of their own. Need to break out my good headphones and listen to this one again because I’m sure I missed some immaculate element somewhere in the mix. Great add, exciting to see some modern indie recognition on a list that has felt increasingly skewed towards milquetoast singer-songwriter efforts.

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Burn alive, Caesar on a tv screen, On your side, Sinner, Nothing matters

Banger 4

Queens

I read the first bit of the blurb and thought “yeah, right”. And then it began. I was charmed.

By daVinci

Enjoyed this! Good tunes

Not bad

A poppy descendant of Siouxsie and the Banshees types which is a pleasant listen

Jag vill också lägga till tre album som denna användare har gjort. Han har i och för sig ganska bra musiksmak. Denna platta är förvisso lite medelmåttig. En stark trea får det bli.

Baroque pop, indie pop, orchestral rock. Ni fu ni fa.