97: LP-Ambulance LTD
This album is a bit of an enigma in Indie Rock in that there isn't really a band they're trying to imitate. It would appear to any casual listener that the album (Their sole studio LP so far) is just a jumbled collection of various kinds of guitar rock, with some very catchy pop tunes mixed in. Upon further listening it reveals itself as a kind of collage of the many indie guitar rock styles from the past 20 or so years. While I enjoy the mish-mash feeling of most of the album, the best parts are when the band temporarily stows their guitars and Marcus Congleton's beautiful voice is pushed to the forefront as on the sugar sweet pop tune Anecdote, one of the best songs of 2004, whose shambling beat and reproachful lyrics perfectly complement the beautiful melody. The other highlights are Michigan, a reflectional ballad, and Stay Tuned, a slightly grungy song, also a ballad, with the sarcastic chorus of "Stay pretty I'll come back sometime and soon and while I'm away: stay tuned". I would recommend this album to anyone who likes guitar rock and good, fun pop.
Favorite Song: Anecdote
Favorite Lyrics:
The seeds come alive and continue to grow.
He may be a talented man
But I told you, "Believe in the things that you know."
Baby, I trust that you can.
Trust you can.