Answers to the movie quiz are out... look in my detailed profile... JB
Answers to the movie quiz are out... look in my detailed profile... JB
Member since:21.01.2001
Reviews:33
Members who trust:13
I cannot believe that no-one has reviewed this album yet. It's probably the best album I've heard this year. Fans of chilled-out, bluesey beats, and beautiful music in general, read on.
With the huge disappointment of Air's latest effort, 10,000hz, still in my mind, I listened to my brother waxing lyrical about this new band, Zero 7. Tipped as the British answer to Air, he said, they could well be the next big thing. He made me a copy of "Simple Things", and left me to get on with it.
You'll have heard their stuff by now, whether helping to advertise the latest in a string of chillout compilations or as background music on the TV. They were nominated for the recent 2001 Mercury Music prize, which in my opinion was given to Patti Smith on a sympathy vote. I promise you, when you listen to this album, you'll be saying "So THAT'S who did this tune..."
Media coverage aside, what's the music like? A little like Air's early stuff, yes; but not as deliberately kitsch and cheesey. It is the sort of music that has two levels: on one hand, it's perfect to put on after a hard day's work, just as background rhythms to soothe and relax. But play the album and actually listen to it carefully, and you will discover it has depth, intelligence, subtlety and great beauty.
Musically, it is broadly instrumental, a mix of laid-back hip-hop, acid jazz, and relaxed blues. Strings, brass, voice, and very often piano are woven over the top of simple but engaging basslines. Glorious rising, floating harmonies are juxtaposed with slightly darker, more bass-driven tunes. In terms of musical innovation, this could be as important to the dance world as Blue Lines was all those years ago. It's THAT good.
It's hypnotic, subdued, trance-like music - you couldn't really dance to any of this, it really is for relaxation. But unlike so much of this chillout dross that's being thrown around at the moment, each track is distinctive, and individual. The eleven seperate tracks form a very soothing, beautiful album that improves with every time you listen. It has very broad appeal, young and old will find it equally engaging, and it spans a great number of musical tastes and genres.
In all, this is one of the most interesting, innovative and beautiful albums in recent years, and I highly recommend it to anyone. Awesome.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Zero 7's ability to conjure beautiful lullabies with all the romance of 1960s French pop, ... more
as found on their debut long-playerSimple Things, would have made them the toast of soundtrack composers and chillout connoisseurs the world over. Unfortunately, ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Zero 7's ability to conjure beautiful lullabies with all the romance of 1960s French pop, ... more
as found on their debut long-playerSimple Things, would have made them the toast of soundtrack composers and chillout connoisseurs the world over. Unfortunately, ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Zero 7's ability to conjure beautiful lullabies with all the romance of 1960s French pop, ... more
as found on their debut long-player Simple Things, would have made them the toast of soundtrack composers and chillout connoisseurs the world over. Unfortunately,...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: THE chillout CD of them all! I dare you to feel stressed after listening to this! Disadvantages: No-one on the planet should dislike this CD, but if you're into Rammstein, maybe not!
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