Ladyfinger (NE) are the ballsiest band ever to come from Saddle Creek. As the story goes, they used to be known simply as Ladyfinger, but got into a legal battle with another group with the same name.
After the other band won the dispute, the Omaha based four-piece cleverly tacked the abbreviation of their state’s name to the end, the way a small rock club would on a flier. Whether this is a comment on the band’s sense of humor or creativity remains to be seen.
In any case, Heavy Hands, the debut album from this Midwestern outfit, showcases their brand of highly finessed, danceable rock ‘n’ roll. Fans of Bad Wizard, Tight Bros. From Way Back When, and Danko Jones will enjoy this one for both its classic rock sensibilities and its more modern, punk-influenced rhythms.
Produced by Matt Bayles (known for his work with ISIS, Mastodon, and Minus the Bear), the overall sound of the album is bright and inviting to the ears. Songs like “Sea Legs” and “Diet Smoke” will have you bobbing your head and maybe even shaking your hips. Unfortunately, halfway through the record many of the songs blend together to the point that they are no longer distinguishable.
Their tendency to overuse musical devices, such as dropping the music down during the verses and bringing it back with a vengeance at every chorus, made each song predictable and less dramatic than intended. The vocals, though impressive, started to seem more formulaic than inspired. By their second album, they’ll have either worked out the kinks in their songwriting or turned into a hipper version of Three Doors Down, which would be a shame.
Given a push in the right direction, Ladyfinger (NE) could turn from “pretty good” to “Man, you’ve got to hear this!”
– Jamie Ludwig
Ladyfinger (NE) (Saddle Creek)