Lottery [EP]

Ambulette | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 8, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000EMGANA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,946 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Group still finding their way, March 22, 2006

By 

Christopher Ratzlaff - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lottery (Audio CD)

I started listening to Denali a couple of years ago on the reccomendation of a friend, and was instantly blown away by the beauty and power of their debut CD. I wasn't totally into Maura's voice, but the music was so incredible, so simple and so hauntingly beautiful. I got a chance to see them right before they broke up. While at the show I got their second CD, and I could feel a change in direction. The riffs were more complicated, the piano was less of a element. The band breaks up, yadda yadda yadda, we have the Lottery EP which seems like such a natural progression from Instinct.

I bring up Denali (as most reviewers will) because one of the main drawing points of both bands is Ms. Davis, and as such comparisons are natural. However, as much as Ambulette is Denali, it is also very much its own band. This CD highlights the changes, but sometimes seems too scattered. "I've Got More" has an almost 80ish feel to it, almost bouncy musically. We then go into "Fall" which, and this is blasphemy, but the background music gives me the same kind of feel as Kashmir by Led Zeppelin. Middle-eastern type rythyms, I can't really put my finger on it, it's a wonderful song.

The next two songs would fit perfectly on a Denali CD, they are both very thoughtful songs, and with the layering of vocals (on "Seconds Until Midnight" especially), they really give me the same feel. The closing song, in my opinion, is the real highlight of this CD. I "acquired" a bootleg of one of their shows when they were still Bella Lea and was blown away by the beauty of "If You Go Away", and a lot of that is because I love the original version, or Nina Simone's interpretation of it at least. "Ne Me Quitte Pas" by Nina Simone almost brings me to tears everytime, so sad, so melancholy, and this band really conveys the same emotions, a little toned down, but still so powerful. Just listen to "If You Go Away", and if you like it, do yourself a favor and look up Nina Simone.

Wow, this review is longer than the CD, Ok so in conclusion, this is a good CD, not earth-shattering, but certainly shows a lot of promise, and I look forward to their full length.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Preview of Full Length Debut, March 22, 2006

By 

Christopher J. Radek - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lottery (Audio CD)

I've followed Maura Davis from Denali to Bella Lea to Ambulette. She never disappoints. The songs are well crafted, emotional, dark, and moody. Maura's voice is incredible. This is a strong preview for what is sure to be a great full length debut. I listened to each song again, and again, and again, and again.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good start, February 12, 2008

By 

Matthew T. Medlock "the q is slient" (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lottery (Audio CD)

I discovered Denali just as they were disbanding, and though I checked them out because of the Keeley Davis connection, it was Keeley's sister, Maura, who led them. Now with Ambulette, Maura's doing a similar sort of thing: atmospheric indie rock with mysteries and a bedroom voice. Sometimes brooding, sometimes lighthearted, it's all anchored by Maura's delivery, which summons up the image of a slightly less caustic PJ Harvey.

"Lottery" is an EP of four originals and an evocative cover song at the end. Everything seems to be about rising and falling (hear her vocals on "When I See You"). At the outset, she sounds almost disinterested but by the end she's holding on for dear life. This is lay-on-the-floor-and-dream sort of music, so you may need a starters course in the Cure and Portishead to really get into it, but I imagine novices will warm up to it without too much difficulty. Now let's await a full-length.

Best cuts: "When I See You," "I've Got More," "Seconds Until Midnight," "If You Go Away"