Customer Reviews

Prepare The Preparations

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I remember the first time I heard "Love Me Dead." Here's a song, I thought, that was right up my alley. Witty and sardonic lyrics, a theatrical presentation that wasn't too over-the-top and what a delightful spin on a lover-spurned song. I immediately rushed out and purchased the album and fell immediately in love. These guys get it, I thought to myself. Never one to take themselves too seriously, Ludo (named after a creature in The Labyrinth) celebrates the absurd and morbid in a delightful way. But beneath their cornball/novelty/B-grade vibe lies the beating heart of musicians who can really rock and wordsmiths who know their way around a lyric.

Now we have Prepare the Preparations and even though I was incredibly excited for their second major label CD, I was also nervous. The first single, "Whipped Cream," was funny (though the video(s) are funnier) and felt like a song that the satirical "Go-Getter Greg" would be proud to call his own, it wasn't in the same category as "Love Me Dead." But when the opening song, "Too Tired to Wink" came blaring to life from my speakers, I started smiling. The pounding beat, the almost Danny Elfman-styled musical feel and the fun lyrics pulled it together. From there, things only improved and continued to surprise. "Anything For You" surprised me with its poignant and endearing lyrics. It's an unabashedly romantic love song. Sure it adds a dash of Ludo weirdness, with lyrics like, "My scar is from a polar bear / my curse is from a witch / I've caught a giant squid in all the seven seas /I've picked up rocks from distant moons astronomers will discover soon." But the funny and absurd soon gives way to a universal love theme: "But the best story that I could ever tell / Is the one where I am growing old with you." It's a surprising and unexpected song from the minds who brought us "The Horror of Our Love."

But worry not because the center piece of Prepare the Preparations is only two songs away, with "Skeletons on Parade" ready to bring back the Ludo I love. "Skeletons..." begins with a musical theatre flair, but as the song starts to gain momentum and verge into rock territory, suddenly we find ourselves listening to a demented sea shanty/Irish drinking song with awesomely macabre lyrics like "Heaven is having a Hell of a time / Skeletons on parade!" This and a couple other songs exemplify what I love about Ludo: their storytelling, morbid sense of humor and wit. They are natural storytellers and their story songs are always my favorite. Whether it's "Lake Pontchartrain" from You're Awful, I Love You or the entirety of The Broken Bride, their songs about stories always pulls me in. And even though I really, really love the previously mentioned "Anything For You," it seems almost out of place when coupled to songs like "Skeletons on Parade," "Rotten Town," or "All The Stars in Texas," all songs that tell stories of sorts but also exemplify what Ludo is all about for me. The only song I don't really care for is the doo-wop inspired song "I'll Never Be Lonely Again." It feels out of place.

But that is only one song that I don't particularly care for in an album filled with awesome songs that showcase Ludo's talents, but also help push them forward as a band. You can definitely see a huge step up here, in terms of songwriting and crafting. Prepare the Preparations is a fantastic step forward for the band, allowing them to mature while keeping their very playful heart where it should be. Definitely recommended.

This album is truly the best. if you liked ludo before you will LOVE them now. this album has pirates, robots, skeletons and especially WHIPPED CREAM!! it has some really fun songs like rotten town, skeletons on parade and battle cry. rotten town is about a pirate with a conscious skeletons on parade is a party for the dead and battle cry is for the losers in every war. they also have some amazing love songs like anything for you, manta rays and all the stars in texas. anything for you is a laundry list of random. REALLY RANDOM events he'd do and things he'd give up for YOU! manta rays is my favorite its about a girl he doesn't know that he dreams about and will do anything to know her. and lastly is all the stars in a texas a beautiful song about a couple who's occupation is robbing banks together. ultimately a romantic fun album that you are sure to love.

If you have NEVER heard Ludo this album is a great place to start! If you HAVE heard Ludo, you must be a raging fan and should listen to this album from beginning to end, then start it over. Listen to it for a week straight until you yourself are Too Tired to Wink. Ludo went into a semi hibernation for close to two years to crank out these songs for us and it was well worth the wait. These boys take you from the 50s in a song fit for Johnny Depp's Square enemies from Cry Baby in I'll Never Be Lonely Again to a Texico where robbery leads to marriage and happily ever after...we can assume...in All the Stars in Texas to the depression of a pirate in Rotten Town to the love of pure mess and desire for love with something extra in Whipped Cream and in true Ludo style, we also have the joy of Skeletons on Parade, this mini rock opera will have you wondering why Ludo doesn't create there own Tim Burton'esque musical animation movie. I'll be waiting for this to happen. You need this album. Just don't question it!

Ludo returns to the intelligent lyricism that initially brought them from a group of college kids to a band with a national presence. Between Skeletons on Parade and Rotten Town Volpe leads the group under All the Stars in Texas with sincerity and passion. A group of musicians willing to define their own sound and story, Ludo is a name to know...making music and telling stories worth listening to.

I can't say I like this album as much as their previous outing, but it's still great music from a great band. I have seen them play live a few times and they're an energetic and talented bunch of people. Support their work by buying their albums!

I first heard Ludo on a local college radio station. It was love at first sound. They are so unique! Each song has a different sound to it.

Ludo, Ludo, Ludo! I absolutely LOVE this album. The songs are absolutely wonderful. Volpe's voice singing is wonderful, and I especially love Ferrell's guitar parts. My favorite song is "Rotten Town". The story is great, and creative. The beat is awesome and the tune is catchy. The single "Whipped Cream" is also pretty great. Very playful and funny, and still exhibits excellent skills. It really sounds like Ludo. Which I know it should, but it is good to know they haven't lost their sound with this record. A lot of bands change over time, but Ludo remains as epic as they have always been. I totally recommend at least listening to the album. You won't regret it.

Ludo's new Album is really their greatest yet. They really stepped it up for this one! I would recommend this album for anyone. Even if you don't think you'll like it, give it a try. Chances are you will!!

Ludo never fails to impress me. The seconds I heard this album I fell in love all over again. Whipped Cream makes me want to dance uncontrollably while Manta Rays makes me want to cry myself to sleep. Ludo is the perfect mix of everything. Some songs are emotional and beautiful while others are extremely playful and fun. I'd recommend it to anyone.

This album is an absolute must-have for anyone who enjoyed any of Ludo's previous offerings, and if you've never listened to them before - buy this album and be prepared to fall in love! There's love stories, pirates, robots, cyborgs, bankrobbing young lovers, skeletons and epic battles, all with Ludo's outstanding talent and style. Andrew Volpe's vocal range is notably impressive, especially on songs like "Skeletons On Parade", which inevitably draws comparisons to Tim Burton. Ludo is wonderfully comfortable with such a dark, theatrical style, and this album feels like the most musically accomplished so far.

Overall: A fun, exciting album that is a joy to listen to, where every song is brilliant in its own right. A must buy!