The Ladybug Transistor at Rathskeller
Crappy weather literally threw a wet blanket on Madison Saturday night, but those who braved the slop-stacle course to see The Ladybug Transistor at the Rathskeller found some relief in the band's drowsy brand of sunshine-streaked pop. "Thanks for coming out despite the blizzard," acknowledged leader Gary Olson before the band opened with "Oriental Boulevard" and "Six Times," both from 1999's The Albemarle Sound.
In a set that largely drew from Albemarle and 2007's Can't Wait Another Day, the band's playful jangle seemed to fill all the Rathskeller's nooks and crannies. Keyboardist Kyle Forester seemed to genuinely like the beer-hall atmosphere and having a frozen Lake Mendota as a backdrop. "I can't remember the last time I could see a lake from the stage," Forester said, suggesting a good/bad lake festival be held annually on March 29 and volunteering the bouncy "I'm Not Mad Enough" as said festival's official song.
For those familiar with The Ladybug Transistor's recorded work, it was a pleasant surprise to find how well it translated live. For the uninitiated, the songs were still immediately accessible. Olson's coffee-black baritone was spot-on throughout the night and he punctuated it with his occasional trumpet playing. Forester's organ rolled nicely just beneath the hustle and bustle. Julia Rydholm's walking bass lines shuddered along with Michael O'Neill's crisp guitar. Eric Farber's drums held steady while Gabe Saucedo tinkered with what ended up being an oddly compelling vibraphone.
In an act of supreme generosity, the band actually took requests. First, they played the excellent "Choking On Air" (requested by a man who showed his gratitude by dancing), a song from the band's 2003 self-titled release that Olson admitted they don't normally include in their sets. The band followed with a slightly stripped-down but still splendid version of "Oceans In The Hall," which they dedicated to the lake. The only thing missing in this set was the awesome yet unintentionally hilarious saxophone solo from "Always On The Telephone" (but it remains intact on the band's MySpace).
Though the band now largely consists of a rotating cast of contributors, The Ladybug Transistor's sound remains consistent. Much of that can be attributed to Olson's songwriting, infused with eccentric melodies and optimistic psychedelia, and the resilience of his Burt Bacharach-style cool. When a group this tight plays pop music this well constructed, it brightens up a room regardless of the weather outside.
