Ambulette - The Lottery
Rating
RIYL
DenaliRainer Maria
Pretty Girls Make Graves
Vedera
Tracklist
1. I've Got More2. Fall
3. When I See You
4. Seconds Until Midnight
5. If You Go Away
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No Ambulette review should go without mentioning Denali, lead singer Maura Davis' previous band. Clearly, this review is no exception. Fans of Denali, which include myself, were disappointed by their splitting up after two incredible albums a couple of years ago. Thankfully, Maura was not finished and decided to form Bella Lea, which is now of course Ambulette. Having Engine Down's lead vocalist Keeley Davis as a brother, inspiration, and former band member with Denali, it's no suprise that Maura is determined and steadfast in her quest for passionate music. With Ambulette she has not only taken her own unique vocal ability to new levels, but also found a few other fine musicians to share her passion with. Though Ambulette doesn't grow far from the same root as Denali, the difference is noticable and quite welcome.
Starting with two upbeat and extremely catchy tracks, we're greeted with Maura's incredible and unique vocals that she's become almost famous for. Though the actual music on these first couple of offerings isn't quite as dark as you would probably expect, the guitar work and overall feel is often times very ethereal. The third and best track on the album slows things down and begins with a soft piano melody, shortly giving way to Maura's gorgeous voice over light guitar picking. Here we see Maura giving the best vocal performance of her career, honestly suprising me in her ability to so easily shift her vocals from high and delicate to low and powerful, literally in the middle of a chorus and even a single word. The entire song is dark and very compelling, setting an incredible balance between itself, the two previous tracks, and the following more upbeat and catchiest song on the record.
Both suprising and refreshing, Maura comes off as very sexy and sensual in this track, using two of her many vocal abilities in the chorus by overlapping them as one. More than any song on the album, this part, when she sings the title of the track, sticks in my head for hours after I've listened. There's just something about the way this woman sings these simple words that stays with a person, though I have trouble trying to explain it. Moving on, the band ends the album with an elegant and nostalgic ballad on love of days passed and those that could follow. We hear Maura at what seems to be her most vulnerable, as the band accentuates the mood with their simple but very effective playing.
On that note, it should be mentioned that even though Maura is the clear centerpiece of this and any other band she has or ever will be a part of, the other musicians on this album do an admirable job creating soundscapes both gorgeous and catchy throughout. Set to release their debut full length early next year, I wait patiently and with much hope in regards to what I feel this band is capable of creating. If we're greeted with 45 minutes of music that matches the top notch material found on this brief offering, I'll have a hard time keeping the release out of my top 10. It goes without saying that if you're a fan of Denali you should give this band a listen. Past projects aside, however, I must also recommend that those of you simply interested in passionate and accomplished indie music should seek this out immediately.
--Matthew Dyess
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rasta
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The Daily Galaxy
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