Envy is the debut album by Ambitious Lovers. It was released in 1984 through E.G. Records. The album marked the first entry in what, at one point, was supposed to be a seven-album series on the seven deadly sins.
Production Arto Lindsay, who grew up in Brazil, incorporates on the album many elements of that country's heritage. Most of the music was written by keyboardist Peter Scherer.
Critical reception Trouser Press wrote that "Lindsay’s words are tantalizingly oblique, but there’s nothing oblique about his record’s lusty cry for recognition." Maximum Rocknroll called the album "slick and subdued," writing that Lindsey is "one of the few improv dudes who can make you laugh." MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide called it "shocking in its juxtapositions."
John Leland of Spin called it, "the most generous and appealing work Lindsay has ever done. He brings his formerly anti-pop trademarks — demented, chicken-scratch guitar, fragmented lyrics, idiosyncratic compositions, choppy rhythms — intact into a contemporary pop format."
Track listing
Sampling The hook in "Let's Be Adult" is also in the song "Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)" by Groove Armada.
Personnel Ambitious Lovers Arto Lindsay – vocals, guitar, production Peter Scherer – Yamaha DX7, Synclavier, synthesizer bass, sampling, production Additional musicians and production Martin Bisi – mixing, recording Reinaldo Fernandes – vocals, repinique Mark E. Miller – Oberheim DMX, tom-toms, backing vocals, production Robert Musso – mastering David Moss – voice Toni Nogueira – surdo, timpani Claudio Silva – pandeiro Jorge Silva – repinique Seth Tillett – art direction Howie Weinberg – mastering
References