Schadenfreude Blue

Schadenfreude Blue by Ampersand is the first ?album? showcasing the songs of guitarist Adam Ritchie.A stroke of fortune introduced Adam to producer Alexander Mahdavi, and plans were quickly made to ?gel? Alex?s studio and production talents and Adam?s songs into a collection of bitter-sweet guitar pop songs designed to make you sing along and think at the same time.

Opening the CD is the anthemic ?Stand Up (Get Down)?, a beat-laden ?call-to-arms? at today?s sociological laziness. And the pace doesn?t let up as the album heads into ?Sometimes Sunday Blue? a song actually written about a former band Adam used to play in (and they actually used to perform it live too!). Finally here, Ampersand have been able to get their musical ?teeth? into this power-pop classic!

From there, the album takes an introspective feel for ?It?s Me Against The World?, it?s ?fresh? sound utilising Adam?s slide guitar and Alex?s clever use of sitars. Following this, it?s back to pure guitar pop with the infectious ?Playin? In My Head?, a song about writing a song!

The dark and brooding ?England? sees Ampersand make a strong comment on 21st century England, its piano-driven production giving a sound reminiscent of Gary Jules? cover of ?Mad World?.

?Side Two? (Ahem..) gets under way with Adam?s tribute to the late great Bill Hicks. ?Urbania? has probably one of the strongest lyrics on the album, matched by a beautiful acoustic atmosphere.

Heavy cynicism matches sharp-witted lyrics on ?Talk2Me?; ironically producing the albums most openly ?pop? moment. (Or maybe that was the point?)

And it doesn?t end there! At last Ampersand engage the love song into the ?Schadenfreude Blue? collection. Using an almost Crowded House-ish production to a rock solid groove, ?Your Perfect Eyes? sees Adam offer up his commitment to the love of his life.

Coming into the final ?lap? of the album, ?If The People Don?t Matter (It Matters)? combines gentle, mandolin-led verses with angst guitar-driven choruses?And then there is the wonder that is the title track. ?Schadenfreude Blue?, Adam?s Ode to a lost friend, brings the album to its tumultuous conclusion.

One weekend a month. One song per weekend. That was the only remit Adam and Alex gave themselves, and they quickly mastered the process of turning Adam?s songs and ideas into something fresh, original, accessible and relevant to the discerning music fan?..Get hold of a copy while you can?.

Official Website Link: http://iamthe.moonfruit.com/Official

E-Mail Address : attheconfessional@hotmail.com