I might be the only twenty-something from the Western suburbs of Chicago who had never seen Lucky Boys Confusion live. They have a somewhat legendary reputation in my old neck of the woods, including with my younger brothers. However, being the skeptic that I am, I will admit I have always assumed this reputation to be somewhat exaggerated. So it was with fresh eyes that I attended their performance at The Canopy Club on Saturday, April 12.

I discovered St. Louis rock quintet Ludo quite by accident a few years ago when I brought family and friends to see suburban darlings The Dog And Everything at the Metro in Chicago. I was ready to see an excellent show that night, but had no idea I would be finding one of my “happy accidents” — a band that wins me over with live performance and joins my list of favorites. Ludo was on the bill that night, and hit the stage with a veteran swagger and theatrical flair that had every single person I was with lined up to buy their self-titled album. Their solid freshmen effort was followed with the concept/rock opera EP Broken Bride, which showcased the band's full understanding of orchestrations and composition, as well as their ability to craft stories through clever lyrical turns. The apocalyptic zombie attack song “Save Our City” still regularly moves me to tears, and I say that sincerely. The early March release of You’re Awful, I Love You, Ludo’s second full-length effort and first on major label Island Records, was something I anticipated with great expectations.