Ladybug
From this album you get glimpses of both influences from the Beach Boys and the Eagles but that doesn’t necessarily make it good. In fact, it probably adds to its hideousness. The thing is, had this album come about twenty years ago these guys would have their wallets lined a hundred times over but, present day, this quirky, dated and pedestrian Indie-pop just isn’t attractive. Of coarse their music makes a bold statement; bring back the 80’s but, chances are, the majority of us won’t to forget those days and bad haircuts in the open-emptiness of our memory.
“Always On The Telephone” is a blatant blast at a ska-cheese anthem, “I’m Not Mad Enough” is repetitive to the point of tedious boredom and “Here Comes The Rain” isn’t too far behind it. “Terry” is just awful with those peculiar Malibu-Hawaiian guitar sounds, “This Old Chase” is an attempt at a funky hit but failing dramatically, “For No Other” is reminiscent of the Thrills, but on a bad day. The rest of the album is so very unoriginal to the point that it just mirrors the dreary start.
So should the Ladybug Transistor get thumbs up or thumbs down…I think I’ll leave that up to you…as for me I’m off to fish out some of my mum’s Beach Boys Vinyl’s and a grass skirt, I feel in the mood for a luau.