Seventh Tree

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-06-21 rating:
Predictably different, surprisingly effective
Alison Goldfrapp is not one for standing still. Her turn-of-the-century debut, Felt Mountain, was a masterpiece of downtempo yearning, 2003's Black Cherry a synthpop-disco extravaganza, and 2005's Supernature a mix of electronica and stick-in-your-head indie. Seventh Tree, her musical vehicle's fourth studio outing, shows more clearly than ever her intention for reinvention.

A stripped down, chary mien, Seventh Tree is a rare journey through the mind of the woman known for refusing to reveal even her age.

It kicks off, or rather eases in, with Clowns, a gentle, strummy treat, complete with wispy Vashti Bunyan-esque vocals. Immediately there is a feel that we're not in for the same disco and glam pop beats of the past.

If the opener is an evening in a quaint cottage with a cup of green tea, the second track, Little Bird, feels like an invitation to fling open the door and go out onto the green grass of summer. As she sings `July, July, now we are free', Goldfrapp is leading us into new territories. At long last, she is opening up.

The standout track is Eat Yourself, a four-minute adventure of retrospective allure, dealing with the old classic, unrequited love. Happiness feels like Ride A White Horse's freethinking cousin, and Cologne Cerrone Houdini is trip-hop at its best - heavy bass, choppy violin and all.

The album isn't perfect though. Some People and A&E are forgettable breaks from the intimate yardstick, with more than a shade of an outsider onlooking, if not jumping on, the nu folk bandwagon. But by that point, the herbal remedies have already had their affect.

The final track, Monster Love, sees a return to best: all the beauty of Isobel Campbell with added urgency. The lyrics say it all, `Everything comes around. Here is where we start and where we end.' The journey is over, and it's been a tranquil ride.

Those looking for the catchy hooks of previous albums will find a mixed bag of eery melodies and dainty laments, but nothing especially radioplay-worthy. One thing's for sure though; this is the album Goldfrapp has been waiting to make, and it truly is like nothing she has produced before.

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review by: mapoo2084 date: 2008-06-06 rating:
Goldfrapp :( Dissapointing
I loved the last album and went to see them in Concert loved it all...

But this Album actually made me wanna sleep... I was that Bored listening to it... A&E is a ok song... but the rest is not that good...

Sooner have the Electro stuff!!!

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review by: pompeyman date: 2008-05-26 rating:
superb
I have only liked a few songs on their other albums, have borrowed them all, played several times, and had no inclination to buy them myself. Then I borrowed this one, and loved every track. Immediately ordered it for myself. Don't understand the reviewer who said track 1 spoils the album. Thats nonsense in my opinion, Clowns is a great start to the album. The singles are probably my favourites, I particularly like Caravan Girl, but its nice to say there is not a duff track and there is absolutely no need for the skip button.

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review by: date: 2008-05-20 rating:
unique songs
Apart from the other songs that form this album, the 2 wonderful songs - clowns and Cologne Cerrone Houdini - are the ones imbued with unique melodies . As a lover of Electro-pop, I was a bit surprised at first by the completely new sound of Goldfrapp.

But listening to the album a few times, it is hard to miss the comforting and floating melody of Clowns encrowned with the voice of Alison Goldfrapp. It is a combination of melancholy and peace, ingenious.


review by: Poddle/Poodle date: 2008-05-18 rating:
Not sure!
Not at all sure on this album, it`s disappointing and very different to their last one which I loved. The two singles are good but the rest of the album sounds a bit bland. I was looking forward to another Supernature but it didn`t quite happen. I gave it 2 stars mainly for the A&E and Happiness tracks.

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