Zero 7 – Yeah Ghost
General Description
Artist/Band: Zero 7
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Album Title: Yeah Ghost
Year: 2009
A Different Approach, Still Familiar, Right?
How I Got Into This Music
I’ve been listening to these guys since their first album, Simple Things and I was lucky enough to see them perform live at the Paradiso in Amsterdam a few years ago. They’re one of my favorite bands and I was eager to hear what they’d concocted on this album.
Reviews:
Videos:
Have a listen on:
Tracks that got my attention:
Count Me Out
Holy..
Ehm..
Well, this could be considered as a Fair Warning Intro. The band’s kinda letting the listeners know that things might be a bit different that any previous work. It’s very cinematic, reminiscent of Seventies LCD tripped out movies.
Mr McGee
Another change in the vocal line up. Singer Sia is totally absent from this album, moved on to greener pastures, who knows?
The replacement for the role of main album vocalist: Eska Mtungwazi. Never heard of her before, but she’s got a great and versatile voice. This track’s very up-tempo and kinda groovy with a catchy beat and chorus. It’s a typical scream-along, hum-along, sing-along track. There are traces of Gnarls Barkley and Outkast here.
Swing
Ah, that’s more like it. That would be the reaction of those fans who prefer the more laidback Zero 7 they’ve come to know and love.
It’s a real Summer Walk In The Park kinda track with sweet Feist-like vocals from Martha Tilston.
Everything Up (Zizou)
This is a nice Zero 7, version 2.0 track, with core member Henry Binns on vocals, very much like stuff they recorded on their previous album. I kinda like it; it’s catchy and upbeat with a nice mix of background vocals and simple patterns. The instrumental and more orchestrated bits during the second half of the song are great.
Pop Art Blue
Not working for me. It’s funny, because this track’s really more like their earlier style, but it’s boring. I understand their need to add more variation.
Ghost Symbol
Or, as it’s officially listed: Ghost sYMbOl.
A very interesting track. I’m almost one hundred per cent sure that this one’ll keep growing on me and become one of my favorite tracks of this album.
It’s the whole mix of all their different styles. I find Zero 7 to be looking for a middle ground in the music they’re making. A choice between Pop, Laidback Lounge, Electronic, Dance, etc. And for me, this track is their most successful attempt at mixing it all up into what could be called the Definitive Sound Of Zero 7.
Sleeper
Of the three up tempo tracks they’ve produced with Eska, this one’s the best one.
Solastalgia
Yeah, they’re back with the spacey stuff and it’s quite nice after hearing it a coupla times. It’s perfect for a documentary or a short film.
The Road
Funny, the band makes three up tempo tracks with Eska and they’re kinda okay. The fourth collaboration is laidback, almost gospel and is my favorite track on the album.
Conclusion
Zero 7 is trying to mix things up, again. After Simple Things and When It Falls they changed their game with The Garden, embracing a different mix of electronics and the combo of acoustic guitar with Jose Gonzalez‘ vocals.
With this album, Yeah Ghost, they’ve continued to try and change their style. But it’s a bit Messy: it almost seems like they don’t want to throw out the Old completely or that they still haven’t found their own definition of the New.
A lot of fans might be put off by the New style or just by the fact that it’s Messy. Maybe they just want the Old sound they liked so much. Zero 7 seem to try to keep everybody happy and I’m not sure if that’s a complete success.
Personally, I like part of the New stuff: the orchestral, cinematic stuff. But I find the up tempo poppy New stuff boring. Most of all I’m just curious to see (and hear) how this group keeps working on their music.
A bit of schizophrenia takes the boredom away, so bring it on!
Rating: 
