When It Falls

Zero 7

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 2, 2004)
• Original Release Date: March 2, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / WEA
• ASIN: B0001HAHY6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,989 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Beautifully crafted and produced, When It Falls is a fitting follow-up to Zero 7's 2001 platinum hit Simple Things. Reintroducing several of their debut's guest vocalists, the band continue to meld subtle orchestration, elegant jazz and easy-going West Coast soul and folk, creating a sound so tasteful it makes Morcheeba sound like Napalm Death. The album opens with the appropriately titled "Warm Sound," where long-time collaborator Mozez delivers his spacey soul over a quivering flute and funky keys. Later he reappears for the string-swept lullaby "Over Our Heads." Next up is newcomer Tina Dico who lends the softest of vocals to "Home," where quietly chiming guitars rise to a careful collision of brass, and "The Space Between," a techno-update of 70s folk-jazz. Much the same service is provided by Sophie Barker on "Passing By" and "In Time," which recalls the sweet innocence of early James Taylor. It's left to Sia Furler to add extra color, her slight rasp lending character to both "Somersault" and "Speed Dial No 2." Throughout, the band introduce a welter of instruments and effects, sometimes approaching the psychedelic, though they're keen to avoid an over-technological coldness--the squeak of finger on guitar string is never far away. For fans of Simple Things, it's a real treat. --Dominic Wills

Product Description

2004 release for UK down-tempo/soul outfit features 11 tracks including the first single 'Home'. Elektra/WEA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect ambient music..., March 12, 2004

By	Christian Hunter "Christian hunter" (Austin, TX and Santa Barbara, CA,) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've recently concluded that music is ruining my life. I'm addicted to it, it owns me in the car, wakes me and pushes me into the shower in the morning, even influences what I wear. I have a hard time concentrating on anything of significance when I'm listening to music. And I need to think sometimes!

That's where ambient music could be saving me.

The jury is still out on Ambient, but I have made a deliberate attempt to move away from RnB, Rap, Rock, and most Alternative when I need to really use my brain. Ambient music is now canvassing the background in my home, my office (not ready to let into the car yet), and I'm loving it. It sounds like what you'd hear at a W Hotel in the bar, or at the Redwood Room in San Francisco. Just plain cool. You want to grab a Martini, sink into a deep red velvet couch, and just chill.

Of the dozen or so Ambient bands I researched and listened to, Zero 7 is my favorite by far. This new release is better than their first (Simple Things) in my objective "newbie" opinion. The track titled "Home" with vocals by Tina Dico is one of my favorite new songs, also, Sia Furler delivers one of the juiciest vocals on the album in "Somersault".

I've heard allot of comparisons with the group Air, allot of "who knocked who off" type stuff. I haven't checked them out yet, but after listening to this album, who cares? Zero 7 has crafted a work of art that will have you loving each song at first listen...

...and that's quite a feat. It usually takes at least a few listens to prime my interest.

Hope this helped...

142 of 179 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Escalator, September 20, 2004

By	Za'chary Westbrook "Jericho" (Salem, OR) - See all my reviews

It's Christmas time, in Denver. I'm 16 and love the rush of the city. My parents don't. My parents like the country. My parents, I don't even see them anymore. Why? Because I'm Christmas shopping, baby. I've got two sisters, one mom, two friends, and one very cute girl to buy presents for and the mall is an ocean. No, not an ocean, a swarm. Like the merciless locusts that plague third-world countries in their rolling storm cloud, devastating the hard planted crops. Me? I'm taking three steps every second. Move it or lose it, buddy. I'm spinning, turning, sliding and suddenly a rush of calm hits me and for the first time I can feel my heart beat. A thumping throb in my chest and temples, in the pure adrenaline of the seasonal crowds I didn't notice, I was too focused on three steps per second. Why am I changed? Why am I suddenly transformed from Teenage Mutant Holiday Shopper to Zen Master of the Mall? Simple... I just hit the escalator and this baby is so tightly packed that not even I can maneuver it.

That is the feeling you get when you listen to this CD. You've had a busy day, your feet ache, your eyes are strained, Dennis in accounting won't stop asking you out and you've got a zit on your nose. It's been a long week, the dry cleaners messed up again and you are out of suits, the Johnson case just won't close, your kids called you during a meeting because the dog got loose again, and the regular babysitter cancelled because her boyfriend will break up with her if she misses another of his games.

Get in the car. Shut the door. Put Zero7 in the CD player. Close your eyes and let the lush vocals and ethereal melodies clear your mind and just drift for a couple of minutes. Feel no pain with the 'Warm Sound'. 'Somersault' in sand and then eat some ice cream. Find yourself somewhere you can call a 'Home'.

Zero7 - 'When it falls' - Sonic vacation, essential chill, soul escalator.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creative Geniuses Strike Again, March 5, 2004

By A Customer

It is distrubing to read fellow reviews of "When It Falls" and continue to find that most reviewers who rated the album sub-standard or poor only did so because Zero 7 used their creative license. This album is not "Simple Things", the artwork and title of this project clearly illustrate this fact. The great writers, artists, and actors/actresses would not have left their impact on society if they always wrote about the same plot, painted the same painting, and always portrayed the same character. I find "When It Falls" to be a superb album filled with the same ear candy and beauty the made "Simple Thimgs" and Zero 7 true geniuses. "Warm Sounds", "Passing By", "Morning Song", and "Home" are among my favorite tracks. For those of you who will continue to measure Zero 7 by "Simple Things" perhaps "When It Falls" is not for you. You may find a class in creativity more beneficial.