Seventh Tree (Deluxe Edition)

Goldfrapp

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2008)
• Original Release Date: February 26, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B0011FXLCC
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #46,841 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk

Seventh Tree unveils an Alison Goldfrapp quite different to the one we saw on her career highpoint to date, 2005's Supernature. Whereas that album was grandiose, glammy, and almost aggressive in its brash, thrusting sexuality, Goldfrapp's fourth album is no less sensual, but rather more subtle in its approach. Recorded with longtime collaborator Will Gregory out in rural Somerset, Seventh Tree feels like an attempt to fuse the pagan folk of cult English horror classic The Wicker Man< to a lush backdrop of woozy electronics and a restrained orchestral sweep reminiscent of '70s-era Serge Gainsbourg. In practise, this means much of Seventh Tree goes where earlier Gainsbourg disciples such as Air have gone before: chilled-out, soporific electronica with a light organic edge. Luckily, Goldfrapp remains a compelling enough figure to keep matters on the right side of ethereal: the gorgeous "Clowns" imagines the Cocteau Twins' Liz Fraser guesting on some long-forgotten Nick Drake out-take, rustic folk with an all-but-indecipherable vocal and an undercurrent of desolation, while "A&E" shows Goldfrapp's pop urge has not deserted her, uplifting electronica with a warm, bucolic twist. --Louis Pattison

Product Description

Limited deluxe two disc (CD + PAL/Region 0 DVD) edition of this 2008 release, the fourth studio album by the Electronic duo. This deluxe package contains a bonus DVD featuring a documentary, 'A&E' music video and a Q&A session, presented in card picture sleeves housed in a deluxe clamshell picture box complete with handwritten lyric book, fold out poster and postcards. Seventh Tree sees the duo return to the more ethereal feel of their debut Felt Mountain as opposed the glitter glamour of Supernature. Here they use elements of Folk and Ambient music, and display influence from Gallic stars such Air and Serge Gainsbourg, all resulting in a warm, delicate, irresistible album. Features 10 tracks including the single 'A&E'. Mute. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music for the heart, not the feet!!, February 26, 2008

By	Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

UK glam electronic duo Goldfrapp is back, and with a new sound on their fourth album. Out go the stomping beats of the last two albums ("Black cherry" and "Supernature"), and in come lots of acoustic guitar against a chilled swirling ambient soundscape, a move sure to send those expecting disco lights and balls heading for the hills. Those who like Kate Bush, Kate Havnevik or Björk will be embracing this with maniacal glee.

"Seventh Tree" is the follow up to their UK #2 Grammy nominated album "Supernature". Right from the delicately strummed guitars, ethereal vocals and haunting strings of the percussion free opening cut "Clowns", the atmosphere is one of gently floating away. "Little bird" is folk/electronica with sparse guitars and electronic flourishes ebbing and flowing, and percussion filtering in towards the end.

"Happiness" features delicate percussion initially which builds up as the song progresses, it has a nice swinging feel and is one of a pair of (the most) upbeat numbers. "Road to somewhere" is a gentle acoustic ballad with lilting beats, a faint bassline and an almost Oriental feel. "Eat yourself" is another acoustic ballad with instruments gradually building up with angelic sounding harmonies. Similar is the shimmery "Some people".

Lead-off single "A&E" is a gently pulsing acoustic song which vaguely reminds me of Cyndi Lauper's "All through the night", albeit a more sombre version. Surprisingly, it has made the UK top 10, surprising as it is beautiful but so uncommercial. The sweeping "Cologne Cerrone Houdini" is a beautiful dreamy ballad that sounds like it should be the next James Bond theme song. The other upbeat song is the poppy Cranberries-style "Caravan girl" with gently jangly guitars (it's almost as though they are afraid they will wake you up), and closing is the gentle acoustic "Monster love" with swirling electronic effects and an almost hymnal feel.

Lots of haunting or angelic harmonies, a stripped down dreamy acoustic sound garnished with swirling synths and electronic effects. Goldfrapp have made music, not for the feet this time, but for the heart.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The evolution of Goldfrapp continues..., March 4, 2008

By	Melissa Niksic (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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Goldfrapp never ceases to amaze me. Every album they release is drastically different from the last, and yet every effort from this band is superb. "Seventh Tree" is no exception. I think this CD marks the most dramatic shift in tempo and style for Goldfrapp, at least since "Felt Mountain." Gone are the days of crazy electronic synthesizers and intense dance beats. "Seventh Tree" is comprised of ten warm and mellow tracks that are perfect if you're in the mood to listen to something soothing and relaxing.

All of the tracks on the CD flow very well together. I especially like "Little Bird" (which, oddly enough, sounds like a John Lennon cover); "Happiness," a slightly more upbeat song with a hint of electronica; "Road to Somewhere," a fabulous driving song; "A&E," an upbeat yet mellow track; "Cologne Cerrone Houdini," one of the band's trademark breathy and seductive numbers; and "Caravan Girl," the most energetic tune on the album. Truly, though, there are no bad songs on this CD. Goldfrapp is fabulous and flawless, as always.

Also, be sure to shell out the extra couple of dollars for the deluxe version of this CD. It comes packaged in a textured cardboard box and includes a separate DVD with a short documentary film and music video, a poster, several postcards, and a tiny lyric book with awesome illustrations. Very cool indeed.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yet another classic. , February 27, 2008

By	Shane Carpenter "sh6ne" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

So another Goldfrapp album is out and like clockwork, when Alison changes direction, she alienates legions of fans. This is nothing new of course. Just look at the reviews for Black Cherry from people who were huge fans of Felt Mountain. It cracks me up because these same people who are lambasting Seventh Tree right now, will be loving it in about 4 months.

People should be thankful Goldfrapp has given us another side to admire and indulge ourselves in. I didn't want another Felt Mountain, or Black Cherry, or Supernature. This album is what I wanted and before it was released I didn't know what I wanted from them. That is what's so great about Goldfrapp. You don't know what kind of musical ride they'll take you on next, but you best believe when it comes that it will be one of the best rides of your life.

So back to the album. This album is effing brilliant - dare I say before its time, like most of Goldfrapp's albums. It evokes memories of the Cocteau Twins (who I am a big fan of) circa Heaven or Las Vegas.

I plead to you people who would give this album a negative review - just wait for the initial shock of change to wear off, soak it all in, and then when the fog has cleared, come back and tell people how lush these soundscapes and alison's vocals are.

Fan's of Goldfrapp owe it to other fans of Goldfrapp. This is another one for the ages.