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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creamy., November 20, 2001
Zero 7 have been called the British Air, and for once the comparison isn't unhelpfully lazy. Like the French geniuses, 7 create cloud-spacious keyboard soundscapes, full of epic, melancholy melodies, reclaiming the despised, functional music of the 70s - muzak, piped/elevator music, BBC Stereophonic workshop etc. - and asserting its emotional value. While this was surprising and revelatory in the mid- to late-90s, it's familiar enough now; thankfully, 7 have enough of their own moody, bittersweet personality to keep you interested. Other major echoes include the more experimental Burt Bacherach of 'Reach Out', especially in the use of such creamy instruments as the trumpet, the xylophone and God's own, the theremin; Portishead, in the late-night, trip-hop despair of songs like 'Destiny' or 'In the Waiting line'. The overall air of blissed pastoral stretches as far as English folk music on occasion. Sometimes, like a spoilt, ungrateful child, I have qualms - that this is too 'coffee-table' perfect; tht the singers sound like session musicians; that 'Likufanele' is a bit too WOMAD for my tastes; but the textured, instrumental beauty, even on the vocal tracks, smothers any doubts. Reminds me, for some reason, of a brighter summer day in the 1970s.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have, April 16, 2002
Along with the chillout heavy weights, Air, Blue States, and Morcheeba there has evolved a new British duo - Zero 7. Even though dubbed the British Air equivalent they are in their own right very original. Their strengths from Air are their fanatastic vocal tracks, in fact most of their songs are vocal. Simple Things is definetly an album that any serious chillout listeners should have in their record collection.In a few words this album is very varied whilst keeping to chilling out songs, suitable for any age and great for listening!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A luminous album., August 23, 2001
Never has electronica sounded so earthy, almost acoustic. The tunes are highly accessible, but are not trite pop in any way. There's something touchingly human about the beats, hypnotic in their lulling compulsion.Destiny (#3), especially, is a fine track. The R & B vocal work provided by Sia Furler and Sophie Barker finely highlights the soundscape of Zero 7. They show restraint in singing the earnest, truly touching chorus. (Please, someone throw this CD at Christina Aguilera's head.) It's a sophisticated and sensually crafted song that's miles ahead of any other R & B drudgery existing out there. Other songs, if not as fine as 'Destiny', are equally atmospheric and genuinely felt. My only qualm with the album is that there is not enough textual variation, and as smooth and silky the sound world of Zero 7 is, the overall effect is a bit too monochromatic. All in all, a fine and amazing release that is well worth your listening time. The buzz and hype surrounding this release are more than justified. Who says electronica can't touch your soul?
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