Seventh Tree

Goldfrapp | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mute
• ASIN: B000Y8GFY8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,790 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Acoustic guitars and slower tempos distinguish this fourth album from Goldfrapp's previous work, although certain trademarks persist: achingly beautiful melodies, hermetic and glossy production values, and Alison Goldfrapp's luscious vocals. The album features the lovely hit single "A&E." If 'Supernature' was airbrushed in bold strokes of glitterball glamour, Seventh Tree, written by Alison & Will and recorded at their own studio deep in the English countryside, is its sensual counterpoint as it emerges gilded in the butterfly colours of an English surrealism shared from Lear to Lennon. Q Magazine says ''Caravan Girl' is bright, summery pop, 'Cologne Cerrone Houdini' has a languid, Serge Gainsbourg feel..." 10 tracks. Mute. 2008.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The sound of Happiness! July 30, 2008

By Know It All

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

There are simply not enough words in the English language to describe how good this album is.

I had been thinking about buying a Goldfrapp album for years, but never took the leap. I came to them by way of Thievery Corp, Massive Attack, Potishead and Morcheeba, to name a few, but the heavy electronic sounds of albums 2 and 3 made me hesitate. I received notification about their Radio City show and decided to check their website out and was mesmerized by the loop that plays on the site. Clicked over to amazon and immediately downloaded this album. It has not stopped playing since! My classic rock husband is even a fan now.

You should not die without hearing this. It's summery and ethereal and just Happy! Each song is a work of art and I don't think there is a dud on it. Do yourself a favor and experience this album. Alison has a lovely voice.

Rather than Thievery et al, I would relate this album more towards a delightful mix of Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Pink Floyd and the Beatles with a tiny touch of the good aspects of Enya mixed in and the crescendo 'pop' song writing of Stretch Princess, although I would say it really is it's own thing and no copy of anyone else. I really find the songs emotional, lush and delightful.

I'm sorry that some people were disappointed with the album because of expectations of more dance music, but that is no reason to dislike this album for it's own strengths. Besides, they are kind enough to give us remixes of the songs to dance to.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite lovely, but not up to the usual Goldfrapp standard April 11, 2008

By Steward Willons VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Goldfrapp seems determined to confound expectations with each subsequent release. The electro of "Black Cherry" left some fans of her downtempo debut "Felt Mountain" upset, while Supernature's glam influence was even more of a departure. Now we have "Seventh Tree" and we're back to downtempo, sort of. Before saying anything further, I should point out that I'm one of those listeners who has thoroughly enjoyed all of her albums, so that's where I'm approaching the review from.

There is some lovely music on this disc. Maybe a bit too mellow for some, maybe a bit saccharine, or at least sentimental. That will depend on your personal taste. If "Felt Mountain" was a moody album with a distinctive gloom surrounding it, "Seventh Tree" is sort of the opposite - light, with a gentle optimism.

Deciding on a star rating has been difficult with this album. I'm giving it four stars, but I feel like I should be giving it three. I'll explain: the music here has the Goldfrapp touch, but it still feels like music somebody else *could* have written. When she and Will Gregory do their best writing, they sound so fresh and original. Some of these songs hit the mark, but the majority do not have that unique "Goldfrapp" sound.

I'm not one of those people who thinks artists should never change and should keep putting out more of the same. I'd be fine with that if that's what Goldfrapp chose to do, but they like to mix it up and I respect that. Not every album can be totally groundbreaking and spectacular. Considering their track record, this album is a bit of a disappointment. However, from most any other artist, this would be considered a really solid album.

I recommend this to fans and those who enjoy mellow music with excellent vocals. For those new to Goldfrapp, I'd recommend starting with Felt Mountain, or even Black Cherry. With the drastic stylistic changes we've seen from Goldfrapp in only four albums, I'm very interested to see where they go next.

Also - a word on the special edition for those deciding if they need to put down the extra money. The DVD has some interesting stuff and probably justifies the upgrade. It also comes with a strange little booklet hand drawn by Allison containing the lyrics and some pictures that she evidently feels reflect the songs. There's also a sort of foldout mini poster something like the booklet to Black Cherry. I'd say it's worth it, mostly for the DVD.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Only Clowns Would Play With Those Balloons April 29, 2008

By Scott Burton VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

It is, I believe, very hard to argue that "Clowns", the lovely and complex opener to Seventh Tree, isn't a song about breasts:

Only clowns would play with those balloons
what do you want to look like Barbie for?
Titties that go on and on, on and on

That the lyrics are mumbly and indistinct, while the lyrics are bravely printed inside, is further evidence that the artist intended to hide the message beneath waves of haunting string arrangement and folksy soprano crooning.

Perhaps the real message, after the success of Supernature and its bit of TV sync candy "Ooh La La", is that Goldfrapp doesn't want to be reduced to a pile of breasts and analog synth hooks. Want me to install a couple of fake ones? Jiggle on stage and snag another Mitsubishi spot or two? No thank you, sir; only clowns would play with those balloons.

It's a terrific album at nearly every turn. Will Gregory's composition is timely and delicious. "Happiness" and "Little Bird" are also standouts. If you liked Zero 7's "The Garden", you'll like "Seventh Tree".