There's a factor of unpredictability and unperturbed variations when it comes to the recent endeavor "Shift Seven" from the Ampersands; they are a talented duo who firmly don't adhere to any yardsticks for their musical output, and rather let their genuine songwriting be expressed on a potpourri of instrumentals. This oddity, yet a rare skillset, made us want to delve deeper into their EP— and here's what we think of them and this unconventional project.
Aaron McQuade and Jim Pace are long-time friends, but they are also known as The Ampersands, who made their entree in the indie scene in 2008. Hailing from Minneapolis, the pair are polymath as creators; singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, they have the uncanny knack of crossing over between styles and moods freely. This has fetched them rotations through college radios and laudings from prominent outlets (such as the Philadelphia Daily News).
Should they gain a noteworthy breakthrough in the near future (which feels imminent, considering their bona fide signature), the audience will discover new favorites going through their discography— we did, and here are some worth-mentioning records that left a solid impression on us: "The Pigeon" (their most streamed song so far), swings between introspective verses and anthemic rock choruses in the first half; mid-way through, it changes courses abruptly and by the fourth minute, it's a four-by-four disco number. From 2012, "Catalyst Soup" is feel-good folk rock, memorable with the harmonic performances letting their heart out.
Entering into "Shift Seven," we are greeted by "Talk To Me": an uneccentric opener, the out-of-the-box composition takes influences from classic rock; arrangements interchange between hectic and stripped-back rhythms, focusing on miscommunication during volatile times in a relationship. Taking the stage after this is "The Tunnel at the End of the Light," the vocals become a source of encouragement, trying to mitigate depression (When the fog is too thick to see//And you can’t slog through//You find anyone like me//And we will be proud of you). What initiates as breezy and percussive folk-rock, evolves with the introduction of other instruments like synths (almost like a sequence of separate instrumentals sewed together in a quirky sense). The shortest of the bunch, "Someone's Favorite Song" brings old-timey Church organ in cohorts with sparse drums, as the songwriting divulges soul-weariness (I’m tired//But I keep trying) at midnight.
For the most parts, "Let You Down" has the makings of a 70s AM rock tune with flowing arrangements and funky guitars, often interjected by drum rolls indicating alterations in chord progressions or tempo (perhaps hinting at mood-swings), as the vocalists reveal their dejection of being a disappointment to a loved one. Towards the end of this EP is the "Dance The Night Away," a bubbly Bossa Nova record with subdued and mournful vocals, striking a catchy duality. Much like its predecessor, the song swiftly changes getup and turns groovier with laidback and vibrant disco mannerisms.
Listen to "Shift Seven EP" on Spotify and stay tuned with the Ampersands for their latest projects on Facebook.
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