Ladybirds – Regional Community Theater

By: Kendall | in: Music |

Ladybirds is the “solo” effort of Tyler Pursel, the keyboardist from Gym Class Heroes. I use parentheses because though it may be his brainchild, the album brags more guest appearances than most hip-hop albums. Tyler brings aboard Max Bemis of Say Anything, and The Get Up Kids’ Matt Pryor for some national appeal, and then brings in Justin Johnson of the Philly band the Danger O’s, and Neil Sabatino from the Jersey band Fairmont. The contributors all joined together to play and lay out the songs, only to stumble upon the sweet vocals of Teeter Sperber. Thus Ladybirds were solidified. Pursel has even been quoted saying:

Ladybirds

“I always had these sketches for songs. When we first sat down, we thought of having Teeter sing on a song or two, but before long we thought she was just such a good match that we’d have her on the whole thing. The record was easy in that way. It just happened so naturally.”

Ladybirds have a knack for early Nintendo influenced keyboard dance pop on an indie level. Keyboards crackle, pop, and tweet there way along charmingly. Oh! What giddy nerdy innocence! What happened to the Atari playing, band geek when he met up super sweet girl with a taste for whisky? One listen to this album and you will know.

Ladybirds

“The Brown and the Red Divide” appears to be the first single off the album due out on September 18th. It seems to be the most down to earth of these lofty tracks that seem stuck in the clouds. “She sings differently from anyone, but the melodies are hers.” is sung in the chorus, and may be a good explanation for the album itself. Sperber keeps the attention, but gives the electro-tacular music room to breathe and keep the listener involved. Shark Party may be another single. The song is filled with staccato keyboards jabbing between vocal phrases, and a great chorus duet with Justin Johnson. Some interesting vocoder-type effects that seem to add a little extra depth interest breathing in even more extra life along with the constant hi-hat dance beat.

Overall the musical arrangement is solid and quirky. They were thought out thoroughly and laid out with care. Sperber’s voice maintains it’s charm throughout. Any fan of The Postal Service, That Dog, or any of the bands the guests come from will adore this album. It’s brightest moments, and probably most powerful are when Sperber teams her sweet vocals with other guests.

Ladybirds - The Brown and Red Divide
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Posted on June 28, 2007

Comments

2 Responses to “Ladybirds – Regional Community Theater”

Nicole on June 28th, 2007 10:39 am

Cute song. I love The Postal Service but can’t say I adore this. I like it though

Kitsune on August 12th, 2008 4:56 pm

So this entry is old-old-old but you’ve got the lyric wrong! “She sings differently from anyone, but the melodies AREN’T hers” is how it goes. Which makes sense because the rhyme at the end of the chorus is “stolen verse.”