LUDES have been working on this very crisp indie pop since 2003 when no more than geography seemed to have them in LIBERTINES territory. Despite that doleful pigeon-holing, early reviews noted a strong CORAL influence. Singer David Ashby has a magnetic raspy voice and the band play like a well trained team of dancehall commandoes.
The album was recorded in Dublin during the summer of 2005 and release dates have been posted up since about October of that year. A current tour makes iits current availalbility failry secure.
The songs and the sounds on the album plunder anything and everything in the quest to be loved, fresh, current and danced to ... Woah -oah choruses from The Kaiser Chiefs, reggae’d theft from “Message In A Bottle”, Franz Ferdinand precision two step, Fine Young Cannibals vocalisation, Two Tone rhythms, Squeeze, Power Pop, Sparks, Chris Martin, a cowboy hoe down. Whatever, from wherever.
The promiscuous near-lifts are so well slotted together that although every good bit (and there are many) sounds eerily familiar, there’s always another one along before the memory can track back and recall. Giddy stuff.
I must say it does sound cheerful. It does drive along. It should be in the pop charts. It could be. if a couple of taste makers decide to go with it and someone bungs the pluggers a bit of enthusiasm powder. Essentially it’s frothy poppy punky fun stuff in its slightly hard edged way.
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In the over-whimsical Noel Coward(ish) “Mr Benson” they sing “I can dance all night, if you like”. And that seems to be the gist of it. “If you like”. LUDES sound like a band who would play anything you asked for. They will do a great live show and leave everyone grinning like fools.
But it is confectionery, and it won’t nourish your craving for love, understanding, mystery or spiritual cleansing. I’m not even sure is it could be called sexy.
“Dog Don’t Bark” , the rawest, punkiest tune, makes the most lasting impact. The rest is fine, bright-eyed and immediately forgettable.
Tracklisting:
Badlands
Never Had A Chance
Traffic Lights
Sailor Boy
Are We There Yet
Mr Benson
Free
Song For A Friend
Luckiest Theatre
Dog Don't Bark
Green Eyes
Dead Man's Music
www.ludesmusic.com
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