Ambulance LTD's longtime fans crowded the Ballroom, jumping up and down, and pumping their fists with gusto. They were equally psyched about old and recent hits from the band's new EP. Two songs in, singer/guitarist Marcus Congleton and his band mates delivered “Primitive (The Way I Treat You)” to the audience’s delight, with such lines as “Relax, don’t think about the way I treat you” with a delicious rock and roll nonchalance. Even on a song like, “Ophelia,” which is about a depressed young woman, the band managed to preserve its upbeat gauzy sound. The audience could bop to the music at times and dreamily sway at others.

“Ladyfingers,” which came out of the work Congleton completed with the Velvet Underground’s John Cale, has the retro feel of a Stax record, with raw guitar licks and a slowly building tempo.  The audience’s excited response to the new material is indicative of Ambulance’s ability to introduce their new stuff with vigor. “Stay Where You Are,” their lush and slightly otherworldly anthem, was one of the highlights of the show, as the band brought some of the more intricate parts of the song alive. There were no muffled or stifled attempts, but just a pure, clear, and layered sound of music. The crowd was wonderfully varied, as Ambulance LTD attracted a crowd of jock rockers, hipsters, and middle-aged fans.  

The band itself has undergone many changes over the last few years, most notably the departure of old band members and the arrival of new ones. “Ivy,” was pure musical ecstasy, riding waves of synthesized organ and dreamy guitar riffs as Congleton crooned “Darlin’, set me free.” Congleton’s guitar solo had the crowd roaring leading him to reciprocate with a big smile.  Jeremy Kay’s bass lines bounced off the walls, laying down a steady beat from which Congleton’s guitar solo could jump off. Throughout the show, keyboardist Xander McMahon provided reliable harmonies and lush musical lines. The band was also very gracious, with Congleton thanking the audience repeatedly, and even singling out his band mate’s parents for driving them to the show. The whole audience should have thanked those parents for getting Ambulance Ltd to the Bowery on time.

- Lexy Smith