Ambulance Ltd - 'Ambulance Ltd' (TVT) 14/03/05

 

 

Instrumental opener ‘Yoga Means Union’ joyously sets the Mansun meets Spiritulaized tone, an epic backdrop of ‘Chad Mansun’ squealing guitars and ‘Electric Mainline’ loops and although not indicative of the whole album, its fantastic!

Once they’ve pushed out the instrumental it’s a topple and stumble towards breezy guitar pop that’s instantly likeable if a little throwaway. Doves style ditty ‘Anecdote’ done with a twinge of The Thrills is another standout tune. Draped in west coast sunshine and basking in its own swash it smiles upon an extremely upbeat debut.

 

The transatlantic outfit don’t indulge in one particular genre or sound but choose to delve and loot the best of all of em. ‘Stay Where You Are’ teleports the listener beside swaying palms and perfect tranquillity, slide guitar: It’s more soothing than a brew of Horlicks (FACT…Horlicks is shit). When this album's not transporting Liverpool to LA its ravaging the back pockets of Lennon for dreamy inspiration (‘Swim’), or any other classic pop composer, making the album feel over familiar like the stench of sweaty kebab in the morning. No bad thing, as long as you're prepared for the bellyache and stale intimacy of a previous delight. This is the only criticism of an accomplished debut, whilst it’s a brilliant summer drive time record and has the pump of a night time party and the beauty of a day on the beach, it also has all the ingredients to scramble your brain, begging itself to be compared and contrasted to similar acts. Thankfully, singer-songwriter Marcus Congleton, like many masters, does save the best till last. Whilst maintaining exceptional levels throughout the self-titled debut, ‘The Ocean’ with its dishevelled charm and delicate vocals ticks all relevant boxes and slashes any former comparatives.