a history of valentine's day
ing the third century in Rome . When Emperor Claudius II decided that single
men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage
for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice
of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young
lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered
that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been
killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they
were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting
himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a
young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during
his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter,
which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today.
Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly
emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic
figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages , Valentine was one of the
most popular saints in England and France .
amateur erotica. some call it porn. we call it art. you call it love.
lasting out edgy pop anthems with Teutonic flair and twisted outlook. This is
Ladytron – a quartet composed of Helen Marnie, Daniel Hunt, Reuben Wu,
and Mira Aroyo. They've taken the UK by storm, toured extensively throughout
Europe, and are now prepared to bring their sound stateside with Light &
Magic, their newest release on Emperor Norton Records. Forming by chance through
meetings in bars and parks, they set out in an unusual way, ignoring London
to play their debut show in a Paris bowling alley, and releasing their debut
single, "He Took Her to a Movie," in mid-1999. Strange European dates
followed in temporary spaces in east Berlin and to frenzied electrokids in Barcelona,
slowly building a reputation as one of the most interesting new acts around,
for lovers of the sounds and the songs alike. This skewed approach to crafting
pop music has rewarded the group with overwhelming critical acclaim. Ladytron's
UK debut single, "He Took Her To A Movie," was recorded for literally
nothing. It was quickly picked up by British national radio, MTV2, and championed
by the NME and other English magazines like Select, Melody Maker, and Sleaze
Nation calling Ladytron "the most exciting new English band in years, by
a long way."
Their summer 2000 "Playgirl" single went even further, pre-empting
the nascent electro movement, and drawing acclaim from the likes of Felix Da
Housecat, who says Ladytron were a major influence on his hugely popular Kittenz
and Thee Glitz album. As diverse as their nationalities and backgrounds may
be – Mira (Sofia), Helen (Glasgow), Daniel and Reuben (Liverpool via Hong
Kong) – the musical influences of Ladytron are possibly even more so. A
listen to the tracks "Playgirl" from 2001’s critically lauded
debut full-length, 604 and "Commodore Rock," from the summer of 2000’s
EP of the same name, calls to
