Simple Things

Zero 7 | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: November 13, 2001
• Label: Palm Pictures
• Copyright: 2001 Mushroom Records UK under exclusive license to Palm Pictures, LLC.
• Total Length: 1:12:26
• Genres:
  • Dance & DJ > Electronica
  • Dance & DJ > Trip-Hop
• ASIN: B001NERW76
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (255 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,316 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)
  • #5 in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums > Dance & DJ > Trip-Hop
  • #78 in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums > Dance & DJ > Electronica

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tragic Angels & A Moon Safari February 12, 2002

By Luke Owen

Format:Audio CD

Simple Things is quite simply one of the best debuts I've ever heard. The vocals are soft yet purposeful, and the lyrics are often quite inspired. Sia's beautiful voice is ethereal on the simply beautiful "Distractions" & "Destiny". It brought her fantastic Healing Is Difficult out of the doldrums of my CD collection.

It's easy to see where Zero 7 has taken much of their inspiration. There are definite similarities to Air (although it remains easy to tell the two apart) as well as Groove Armada and Fatboy Slim. Don't let the Fatboy Slim confuse you - this is by no means a dance album. This is almost an anti-dance album - the kind of thing you put on when you're very tired / drunk / stressed / angry (delete as appropriate).

It would be impossible to pick out any personal favorites (I love every track), but the real stand out tracks are "In The Waiting Line", "Destiny", "Distractions" and the largely underrated "End Theme".

If you're in a party mood, by all means, don't put this CD on. It will definitely not help build the atmosphere, but makes a perfect comedown disc. It's difficult, however, not to try and vigorously enforce this great new band on all your friends. I can't wait for the next chapter of the story.

Easily addictive, this is my first must-have of 2002. Can't say fairer than that, really...

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Chill Out February 19, 2003

By J. M. Zuurbier

Format:Audio CD

This is a great album to put on when you just need to unwind and relax. That being said, it is not just a chill out album. Listen closely to the lyrics, and the excellent vocals, the way everything molds together, it's definately one of the more unique albums I have heard lately. 14 tracks in total, 2 of which are bonus tracks, it runs just over 70 minutes, of pure musical bliss. Of course comparisons will be drawn to Air, but don't let that stop you from giving Zero 7's debut SIMPLE THINGS a try, comparisons can be drawn between this and Air's MOON SAFARI, but this has its own unique flair and flavor, they have found their own style. Sia provides seductive and passionate vocals on "Destiny" and "Distractions", two of the best tracks on the set. I also quite enjoy "Red Dust", "End Theme", "Polaris" and "In The Waiting Line". Every track is enjoyable, definately an underrated album. Everyone should take a listen to this.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Starts slow, builds to awesome finale November 28, 2001

By J. Thomas

Format:Audio CD

An immediate entry into my Top 10 of 2001. It didn't seem that way at first -- the opener, "I Have Seen," sounds like an outtake from Cousteau. But the songs build upon each other in perfect logical order, leading up to a powerful climax.

What would happen if your favorite electronica station collided with a smooth-jazz station and careened into a sultry piano lounge on the corner? "Simple Things" might well be the result, but that's hardly doing it justice.

By the time track 11 arrives, the stage has been set. "Likufanele," a remix of South African gospel music, moves the soul in a truly captivating manner. For whatever reason, the song just reached out and grabbed me, even while driving at 60mph, almost to the point of bringing tears to my eyes. Back home with the headphones on, it was even more powerful. An absolute masterpiece.

The proper closer (not counting the two "bonus tracks"), "End Theme," is an appropriate denouement to the climax of "Likufanele," bringing me back to earth after a truly astral journey.

Advice: Don't try to listen to individual songs. Play the whole thing in sequence, and let it take you wherever it wants to take you. A magical record.