2008 Woodie Awards
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The Scene
Ambulance rescues Black Cat
10/27/05
Most ironically, that night's opener, Ambulance - officially Ambulance LTD, a sincere, blues-infused indie rock quartet from New York City who had already blown Flowers and Co. away - is more than happy to headline for $12, as they did at the Black Cat this past Saturday.
"Next is Ambulance. They'll blow your minds - in a great way," opener We Are Scientists lead singer/guitarist Keith Murray fittingly announced post-set. Although his poppy crooning of songs mainly about misunderstood love and being drunk at parties, including recent hit "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt," achieved decent heights, the band of lovable nerds mostly served as a plateau for Ambulance to ascend to and elevate.
And elevate they did. With influences ranging from Motown to '60s psychedelic pop/blues to '90s shoegazing, the band has already found success in the U.K. while touring Europe and the U.S. for over a year. "We don't kick much ass volume wise," Ambulance lead singer/guitarist Marcus Congleton admits. "Conceptually, poetically, we kick ass. Atmospherically, we kick ass."
While We Are Scientists bassist Chris Cain looked not unlike Kip from "Napoleon Dynamite," Congleton was as gorgeous as ever. Every hair of his hiply shorn 'do was in its right place. His loose T-shirt and jeans proved his posse doesn't have to work hard to impress D.C. anymore, a far cry from last year's three-piece suit band uniform. His blue eyes roved the audience meaningfully. His pouty, expressive lips cooed honey. Empires fell, women swooned and men blazed with jealousy.
The loyal crowd knew its stuff, singing along euphorically and delaying beer refills and bathroom breaks. The lads served up crowd pleasers like "Anecdote," "Stay Where You Are" and the breathy "uh-huhs" of "Primitive (The Way I Treat You)," peppered with bluesy, soulful new tunes they've been banging out while on the road. The quintessential closer "Yoga Means Union," a five-minute instrumental track that builds slowly into a dizzying blur of pitch-perfect guitar work between Congleton and guitarist Benji Lysaght, garnered much applause and deafened all in attendance.
"Thanks, D.C. You're always amazing," Congleton said, smiling coyly as he departed the stage with lanky hands in pockets. No, Ambulance: for remaining humble guys in the gritty word of rock 'n' roll, thank you.
- Marissa Newhall
"Next is Ambulance. They'll blow your minds - in a great way," opener We Are Scientists lead singer/guitarist Keith Murray fittingly announced post-set. Although his poppy crooning of songs mainly about misunderstood love and being drunk at parties, including recent hit "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt," achieved decent heights, the band of lovable nerds mostly served as a plateau for Ambulance to ascend to and elevate.
And elevate they did. With influences ranging from Motown to '60s psychedelic pop/blues to '90s shoegazing, the band has already found success in the U.K. while touring Europe and the U.S. for over a year. "We don't kick much ass volume wise," Ambulance lead singer/guitarist Marcus Congleton admits. "Conceptually, poetically, we kick ass. Atmospherically, we kick ass."
While We Are Scientists bassist Chris Cain looked not unlike Kip from "Napoleon Dynamite," Congleton was as gorgeous as ever. Every hair of his hiply shorn 'do was in its right place. His loose T-shirt and jeans proved his posse doesn't have to work hard to impress D.C. anymore, a far cry from last year's three-piece suit band uniform. His blue eyes roved the audience meaningfully. His pouty, expressive lips cooed honey. Empires fell, women swooned and men blazed with jealousy.
The loyal crowd knew its stuff, singing along euphorically and delaying beer refills and bathroom breaks. The lads served up crowd pleasers like "Anecdote," "Stay Where You Are" and the breathy "uh-huhs" of "Primitive (The Way I Treat You)," peppered with bluesy, soulful new tunes they've been banging out while on the road. The quintessential closer "Yoga Means Union," a five-minute instrumental track that builds slowly into a dizzying blur of pitch-perfect guitar work between Congleton and guitarist Benji Lysaght, garnered much applause and deafened all in attendance.
"Thanks, D.C. You're always amazing," Congleton said, smiling coyly as he departed the stage with lanky hands in pockets. No, Ambulance: for remaining humble guys in the gritty word of rock 'n' roll, thank you.
- Marissa Newhall