The Ambitious Beggars were originally around in the 80s but got back together again in 2001. Firestation (formerly Firestation Tower) have featured one of their old tracks on volume 2 of their Sound of Leamington Spa compilation series, and are also releasing their new output such as this. This 6 track EP consists of the three main tracks, plus different versions of those tracks (two radio edits and a live in studio version). Inspire Me is very strongly 80s-ish indiepop with added brass, but unlike some light & airy material that fits that description to come from other bands, this track has real depth and is very moving. Comet People is 80s-ish intelligent indiepop with psychedelic undertones and spaceage lyrics. Not the Man is basically pop, but with an underlying rock kick and occasional country hints, which come to the foreground in the live version which features additional pedal steel. The first two tracks in particular are very impressive.

www.blissaquamarine.net

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The bands I've heard on the Berlin based Firestation Tower Records have tended to carry a Brit-pop/rock tone in their music. This is the label that put out the fine 'The Sound of Leamington Spa' compilations though, so an appreciation of that sound seems to be fundamental to the label. The Ambitious Beggars actually appear on 'The Sound of...Vol 2' and the band has been around since the early 80's. Despite gaining some popularity during the Manchester heyday, the band never signed with a major label and thus has had few releases over the past 20 years. This EP is their first new material in a long while and their second release on Firestation Tower.
There are 3 new songs on the EP, as well as an alternate version of one of the songs and radio edits of the other two. All three songs have a mellow guitar-pop tone provided by both acoustic and electric guitars. 'Inspire Me' includes piano and cornet, giving the song a nice easy feeling that's just right for a lazy summer day. The vocals of lead singer Bob Kemp are quite nice too. He reminds me a bit of Richard Ashcroft at times on the song 'Comet People'. The lyrics of this one refer to the people who committed suicide when the Hale-Bopp comet passed by the earth. 'Not the Man' has the closest thing to a "rocking guitar" on the EP and lots of "la la la's". The alternate country version of this song replaces the guitar with piano, pedal steel, and harmonica.
Each of the songs on this EP are pretty easy to listen to and enjoy. 'Inspire Me' is probably the strongest of the three and the one that most makes me want to listen to more of the Ambitious Beggars. If this EP is a teaser for an upcoming full length, then consider me teased.

         www.pennyblackmusic.com

 

In der Post-THE SMITHS-Ära waren die AMBITIOUS BEGGARS dagegen neben den STONE ROSES und den INSPIRAL CARPETS eine der wichtigsten Bands in Manchester. Und sie haben es trotz 'Madchester'-Ära irgendwie geschafft ihrem Stil bis heute treu zu bleiben.
Nach ihrem letzten Longplayer "beg!" veröffentlichen die AMBITIOUS BEGGARS nun endlich ihre "parallel universe EP" mit 3 brandneuen Tracks incl. Bonus (noch jeweils eine alternative Version pro Song). Musikalisch bewegen sich AMBITIOUS BEGGARS damit im Umfeld von britischen Kollegen wie EMBRACE, TRAVIS, STARSAILOR und Co.
Mit den Songs "inspire me" und "comet people" sind den Briten definitiv zwei Hits gelungen die sie nun endlich aus dem Status einer geheimen Lieblingsband herauslösen sollten.
  

         Maik Höfer    www.radio19-4.de