Ambulance Ltd. First flew across my radar when they were the warm-up act for the Killers. Rarely do an opening band inspire me to go out and buy their record at the merch booth, but this band did. That was largely due to the funk influenced, “Primitive”, a tune so catchy you will be hard-pressed to get it out of your head.
The New York band came together from all over the map. Marcus Congleton (singer/guitarist) hails from Eugene, Oregon, Benji Lysaght (guitar) is from Santa Monica, California, Matt Dublin (bass) was born in Main, and Darren Beckett (drums) comes all the way from Belfast, Ireland. Not only are their geographic beginnings diverse, so are their musical influences. Their website tells us that they’ve been influenced by everyone from the Velvet Underground to Steely Dan (very brave to admit that in public). That wide range of influence shows itself on the record, where no two songs sound alike. If “Primitive” brings the funk, the very next track “Anecdote” brings the folk, the latter sounding like something John Lennon would have written during his solo years. “Heavy Lifting” switches gears to more traditional indie rock leanings. “Michigan” is a very Southern California light-rock song.
You will not have to look far to find someone singing the praises of this band. The well-reviewed release of the self-titled debut seems to have turned on the sirens and it will be interesting to watch and see if this band has what it takes to live up to the hype. |