In this big blender, let's put in Lou Reed and his Velvets, Jesus & Mary Chain, Beach Boys, Beatles (obviously), My Bloody Valentine, Elliott Smith, and the Kinks (why not?). What do we get?
AMBULANCE LTD -- LPA cacophony inspired by such influences must be a symphony, right? Almost. The songs in Ambulance LTD's are well crafted. Actually they're very methodically crafted, just like their sound. I can imagine how songwriter Marcus Congleton's brain works as he's strumming his acoustic guitar.
"Hey, I've got this tune in my head. Wow, it's very catchy! Let me try to figure out the chord progression."
He strums a few chords.
"Wow, I've got a great verse. Now let's come up with a chorus."
He hums a few melodies until he comes up with one he likes.
"Okay great, I've got a great chorus and a great verse. That means I've got a great song."
I don't know for sure, but I can imagine the above conversation probably happened eleven times in Congleton's mind... enough times for him to create his first album. Yes, the album is filled with peacefully beautiful melodies, great swooning shoegaze guitars, and warm fuzzy harmonies.
Ambulance LTD's mid tempo "rockers" aren't songs I would expect people dancing to. I envision a group of high class sophisticated music connoisseurs (such as Sasha and I) sitting around the band, snobbily applauding each song.
The problem I have with the album is that it's too neat and tidy. It's too well-crafted and doesn't leave any room for error... or excitement. The songs are well-written but light-weight. The hooks are catchy but soft. And the album is good but forgettable. Just like the album cover... and the album's name.
PS: I do like the songs though. Here are my recommendations: "Anecdote", "Ophelia", "Stay Where You Are" (skip the unnecessary intro), and "Stay Tuned."
For even better Ambulance LTD songs, check out "New English" and "Arbuckle's Swan Song" off their latest EP "New English"
PSS: What the hell where they thinking when they named their debut album "LP"?
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