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Ambulance Ltd. Charm Bostonians with Suave New Tunes

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Boston may be experiencing fairly wild weather lately (70 degree temperatures one day, gale force winds the next), but last night (April 2) at Cambridge’s Middle East venue, Ambulance Ltd. quelled indie rockers’ climate-induced concerns with a tame yet across-the-board set of new and old tracks during the first stop on the band’s spring tour.

Playing a decent selection of their charmingly intense back-catalogue, the Brooklyn-born outfit delivered a sophisticated set that, surprisingly, got the slack hipster crowd dancing and clapping. Set opener “Heavy Lifting,” a thick, smooth tune off the band’s 2004 debut, resonated throughout the room as wickedly ringing guitars and Beatles-like harmonics surged from wall to wall.

During newer tracks, particularly the funky and bass-driven “Focus,” die-hard fans reveled in the band’s return, and later, the jangly riffs on new tune “Coco” took on an anthemic feel. Older favorite “Anecdote,” however, incited shrieks and rhythmic claps aplenty, which accompanied its swooning guitars and haunting melody. Despite Ambulance Ltd.’s calming, languid performance, in conclusion, the combination of both exciting new tunes and classic tracks made for a set almost as random as the unpredictable Boston weather.


Ambulance Ltd. / Photo by Keri Beckwith


Ambulance Ltd. / Photo by Keri Beckwith


Ambulance Ltd. / Photo by Keri Beckwith


Ambulance Ltd. / Photo by Keri Beckwith


Ambulance Ltd. / Photo by Keri Beckwith