Ludo - Ludo
by
Paul Barile
August 2005
I have to listen to Ludo's eponymous disc at least twice a day or I feel
like the heavens have shifted and the skies are going to open on me and
ruin the rest of my summer. It's that simple. Ludo by Ludo is
funny and smart and irreverent, and these pups play the hell out of their
instruments.
Andrew Volpe is the major songwriter. He runs the listener through a
veritable road map of popular culture references ranging from Good
Will Hunting to Kevin Arnold. This is not to say that the music is
clever for the sake of being clever.
Rather this music is clever by virtue of Volpe's ability to elevate the
craft of lyric writing and then layering ideas over jangly pop-punk and, later, surreal, deep, thoughtful music.
"Ode to Kevin Arnold" is a sweet - dare I say - sensitive
self-exploration based on the famous Fred Savage television program. The
aching of love as felt through 15 metric tons of Easy Mac on the
sojourner's soul.
One of the greatest break-up songs ever has to be "Good Will Hunting by
Myself". With a nod to Weird Al Yankovich and a wink to The Worm
Quartet, Ludo busts out one monologue that every man who has ever loved
a woman – every boy who has ever loved a girl – has felt. Only few have ever
been able to say it this well.
Just when you think these talented, focused musicians are holding
themselves back by playing poppy punk (that, somehow, works for them)
they pull out "Air-Conditioned Love".
This song – near the end of the disc – sneaks up on you like a sucker
punch. The music is haunting and dark and the lyrics are downright
creepy – beautiful and thought-provoking – but creepy. Their passionate
(impeccable) musicianship is demonstrated beautifully here.
Seriously, Ludo may be mischievous and clever, but they are also
top-notch musicians who have released one of the best albums of 2005.
www.ludorock.com
