While their Alabama labelmates Blue Epic are undoubtedly a real find, Brooklyn's AMBULANCE LTD are quite possibly even better, judging by the myriad melodic possibilities brought to fruition over the course of this superb 5-track EP.
"Stay Where You Are" is a heavenly opener, coupling restless, plangent melody with harmonies the likes of Pernice Brothers and Big Star would approve of, while slipping in the odd cute sonic trick like discreet peals of feedback. Not obvious, but really rather wonderful.
"Primitive (The Way I Treat You)", meanwhile, is arguably this writer's favourite track here. With a nagging, semi-spoken vocal and mantra-like backing vox, it's a little harder edged and reminds of the great urban cool peddled by the likes of Steve Wynn. It's unlikely refrain of "Relax! Don't think about the way that I treat you" hardly sounds like a killer, but it wriggles into your synapses anyway.
Third track "Heavy Lifting" is possibly the weakest thing here, but it's still quite memorable. It stutters into life via Mo Tucker-ish pounding and atonal, Sonic Youth-style strumming, but grows on you once its' true colour melody seeps out and it gets embellished by droplets of piano.
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"Helmsman" also takes its' time in winning your heart, but it soon hooks you helplessly. Melodic, romantic and also slightly drone-rock influenced, its' dark, tremolo-y guitar bursts are terrific, as is the intriguing nautical imagery. It's intelligent rock at its' best. "Young Urban Professional," though, is different again: proffering a pretty, jazzy pop sound like Yo La Tengo at their most direct, before it billows out into something a little more epic as it progresses. Needless to say, you're a convert by the time it closes.
"Ambulance Ltd" again shows - if further proof were really needed - that the NYC city limits harbour far more in terms of talent than the seemingly endless list of Strokes wannabes. TVT and most definitely Ambulance Ltd are names to watch out for and to absolutely cherish.
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