Last Updated:8:52 PM EST 11/4/09 Section: Lifestyles

Media Credit: myspace.com

Alternative and indie rock have been rising in popularity the past few years.

It is now trendy to find the "undiscovered" and "underrated" bands popping up all over. These include Marianas Trench, White Tie Affair, and The Maine.

Another band that had a successful album last year, but is still underrated, is a band called Ludo.

An interesting fact about Ludo is that the name actually originates from David Bowie's 80's classic film, Labyrinth. It is the name of the friendly furry giant who helps the protagonist (Jennifer Connolly) in the film.

Ludo originated in St. Louis, Missouri. They started traveling around the Midwest, becoming a relatively successful indie band in 2003. However, since most of their songs never made hit lists, they've stayed well under the radar.

But in 2007, the band caught a lucky break and signed on with Island Records. They produced an album called You're Awful, I Love You which included the hit single "Love Me Dead".

"Love Me Dead" was featured in a teaser commercial for the TV show House and was No. 10 on the music channel Fuse's No. 1 on the countdown for alternative in 2008.

Their music video for the song was shown repeatedly on VH1 and MTV.

However, since most of their songs never got the publicity they deserved, they re-released the self-titled Ludo on Sept. 29, 2009. Partnered with this is their EP called Broken Bride.

Ludo is completely remixed and mastered and includes a bonus track called "Elektra's Complex".

The CD also comes with an album of 10 bonus songs from their first birthday show back in 2004.

One of the better hits on the album is "Hum Along", which has been played on the radio several times.

Other worthwhile songs for your iPod are "Roxy" and "Good Will Hunting By Myself."

Each song is original and unique, much unlike bands like Nickelback, where every song, although decent, sounds exactly the same.

"Good Will Hunting By Myself" has a very upbeat tune, as does "Roxy." However, "Roxy" has more of a rock-type singing whereas the other song is more of a discussion with the audience.

"Hum Along" has a soft tone and rhythmic pattern to it.

The lyrics of each song are characteristic to the band. Each tells a story and often addresses a "you," and they include beautifully creative lyrics such as "You'll never see the movie in my head/But you infest my sleep, and your figure creeps/Through my walls and hums above my bed" ("Hum Along").

It is definitely not an album you can listen to as background noise, since the lead singer, Andrew Volpe, draws you in not only with the elaborate words, but the way his singing commands the full attention of the listener.

If you want to expand your musical appreciation and give some support to underrated bands: start with Ludo.

Download a few songs and get ahead of the mainstream crowd.


Download:
Hum Along
Roxy
Good Will Hunting By Myself


cep09190@sjfc.edu

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