Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An unbelievable post-punk rock opera, September 27, 2005
There's no question that "Broken Bride" is a rock opera, but the music has more in common with "American Idiot" than similar narrative concept albums by The Who or Meatloaf. It tells the story of a man who build a time machine to prevent the death of the woman he loves. The machine malfunctions, sending him back to prehistory and forward to the Rapture. Ultimately, the traveler must make a choice that will decide whether he saves his wife or all of humanity.
When I first read about the concept, I laughed out loud at how ridiculous and overwrought it was. By the last song, I had to keep myself from crying. That's not what you'd necessarily expect from Ludo, whose self-titled first release positioned it as a Weezer-ish alternative rock band with a sense of humor. Broken Bride features the same emo-tinged vocals and hooky rock, but the band evades any attempt at genre categorization in its second outing.
In fact, the album's range is wide enough that there may be some moments that are too hard or too soft, depending on how you like your rock. But every genre twist and turn is perfectly executed, lushly produced, and imaginatively composed. It's an easy album to love, and one you'll want to be sure to listen from beginning to end.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breaks my heart everytime, in the best possible way, December 22, 2008
I was introduced to this band at the Metro, on a cold winter night. I was there to see a friend's band, who happened to be opening for Ludo. Man, was that my lucky night! I heard a few songs from this album, and had to buy it. While the songs are fantastic alone, and the band puts on a great live show, the album as a whole is the real masterpiece.
I've not had the best history with rock-operas. They haven't always been my thing, and I often think they come out sounding forced together, incohesive, or just meh. Having the concept for the Broken Bride explained to me, I knew it would either fail miserably or rock my socks. Thankfully, it did the latter.
The concept is relatively simple - a man loses his wife in a car accident. As a scientist, he begins to work on a time machine, eventually making it work, though it doesn't always send him where he wants to go. The songs tell of his travels through time, trying desperately to reach that morning in May when his bride was killed, so that he can save her. In the process, he battles dinosaurs and even prevents an apocalypse. And yet, it's the ending that is so heart-wrenching it nearly brings me to tears, hopeful and romantic and sad, all at once.
Musically, the record is (in my ears) phenomenal. There is not a single song on this album that isn't good, and Ludo did the right thing by keeping it to only 5 tracks which eloquently sum up the story. Rather than feeling overblown, the 5 tracks allow the story to be told, and told well, and make for a story that can be appreciated in one sitting.
I have yet to play this album for anyone who did not LOVE it immediately, even though some initially laughed at the concept, just as I did. As my boyfriend would say, there is only one word to describe this album - epic. This album is epic, in depth, in breadth, in musicality, in story-telling, and in emotions. It takes you for a ride and doesn't let go til the very end, and you'll just want to start it over again.
While I would highly recommend Ludo and You're Awful, I Love You, and I'm terribly thrilled with their latest offering, nothing will ever top The Broken Bride for me. It's surpassed a number of my "favorite" albums and is the most played selection on my iPod, as it makes for awesome rocking out in the car on road trips. So, if you didn't already get the point - buy it. Buy it now. Support this awesome, friendly, funny indie band, and listen to (and love) this genius album. Now!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best Concept Albums I've Ever Heard, June 1, 2009
I went to see Tally Hall play in Michigan (another great unknown band) and Ludo opened for them. I was blown away and immediately bought both of their CDs and now have their newest one.
Their music is imminently singalongable -- great playing, terrific vocals, clever lyrics. Get all 3 of their CDs TODAY!
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