Frenchy’s Fracas

General Description
Artist/Band: Zero 7
Album Title: The Garden
Year: 2006

They’re back!
 
How I Got Into This Music
Read my other reviews about Zero 7.. A bit late with the review, due to great weather and getting used to this album ;o). Hieronymus Fox just told me today that he finally got used to the album and also started nagging me about my lack of updates (with friends like these, who needs a mother-in-law? heheh..)

Album credits at artistdirect.com || Google Search: Other reviews of The Garden || This album’s lyrics from the nice people at Alwaysontherun.net

Tracks that got my attention:
Futures
Seriously reminds me of the Ghost Ship In A Storm track on Zero 7’s effort for AnotherLateNight.. Singer José González sure has that same Jim O’Rourke quality

Throw It All Away
Sia’s back with a great track, funny lyrics, Summertime beach drive!

Seeing Things
Annoying ringtone..

Pageant of the Bizarre
God I love this track! It’s the children song melancholy thingy working perfectly and Sia’s great voice.

You’re My Flame
Sometimes this track gets on my nerves, sometimes it just gets me up and going. Love the lyrics:
You’re just dodging all the friendly fire
You’re never dressed in the right attire
You miss the start of every game
You’re my flame

Left Behind
wow.. Life’s little fucking mysteries: how can such a simple setup of a song be so incredibly beautiful and touching? Well? WELL?!??!? Uhm..
Dunno either.. Just know it’s absolute sunshine.. Thank you, Mister González, the best one minute and fifteen seconds ever spent in my life.
Scared to think away the cheer
Looking back in a mirror
It all becomes clear
The views are not the same
I see sun, you see rain

Today
Another one of those tracks that totally baffle me: a cheap Casio wannabe keyboard sound, but it still works!

Your Place
Henry Binns’ doing the vocals on this track and it’s eerie and lovely. The second part of this song is a four minute instrumental that takes you to all kinds of places, soundscape-wise, but mostly it takes you back to the Zero 7 Sound (if there is such a thing) of their previous albums.

Crosses
Another one to outrun the Energizer Bunny! Great buildup of tempo, those thick violins, sweet and soothing vocals: this is one of the ultimate cityscape songs..

Waiting To Die
Heheh.. Puts a smile on my face, this one.. Cloud and Silver Lining, this one.. Bright Side Of Life, this one..
Look what a terrible mess that we’ve made
The sun beats us down as we search for the shade
And, yes, it is true, death is everyone’s fate
But we’ve made it this far, it’s time to celebrate

Conclusion
Took me quite some time to review these guys, sorry about that. What can I say? They’re back with a great album: not exactly what you’d expect after the first two records, but that a very good thing coz I was kinda afraid I’d get bored after a while. No earth-shattering changes (well, besides the absence of three of their vocalists, including Mozes), but just enough to make you notice, just enough to make you wanna sit down and really, really listen. Serious listening to easy-listening music is kinda contradictory, but they get away with it. Love it!

Rating: (nuff said..)

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General Description
Artist/Band: Zero 7
Album Title: When It Falls
Year: 2004

Tech-warmth
 
How I Got Into This Music
I’ve written a few posts about this band, read them here. Gotta complete the list of albums I love from these guys, I guess..

Album credits at artistdirect.com || Google Search: Lyrics of When It Falls

Tracks that got my attention:
Warm Sound
Man.. Just incredible, that title really fits the track! Love the little telephone ring in the background. The sweet and slow bass and that voice, that’s Mozez, boyz-n-girlz!

Home
Another excellent soundscape production, just makes you all nice and warm and comfy (I seriously mean this.. It can sound a bit sarcastic, but in this case, I’m being very sincere, it will not happen again, sorry..) with the sweet voice of miss Tina Dico

Somersault
I saw them perform at Paradiso, Amsterdam a while back and they announced this song as being a “true Country & Western ballad”.. Heheh.. Kinda correct description, you know? But still that voice! Sia.. Just heart-breaking and soul-mending at the same time. Don’t get me started on that bass at the end of the song, Lord Have Mercy!

Over Our Heads
Mozez again.. Damn!

Passing By
You know why I really hate this band? Because of the incredible vocalists, they all put my soul through a shredder and poor old me, I’m enjoying it! Miss Sophie Barker does her nasty chores on this haunting track, so many layers, so many canvases being painted and again, that bass..

When It Falls
Finally! A track that doesn’t work for me! heheh…

Space Between
Tina Dico gets to me every single time with this song

Look Up
A great travel show song, ouch.. Love it, but it’s this kind of tracks that get used for commercials and travel shows, which is kind of a waste..

In Time
The chorus really works like valium, love it! Rest of the track’s just a bit too easy..

Speed Dial No. 2
Sia rules, nuff said.. ;o)

Morning Song
Can’t tell you how much I enjoy this song, incredible vocals by Mozez, but the second half of the song.. the instrumental part.. Wow.. WOW! And when the bass starts up again.. Man, it’s like being friggin’ close to heaven..

Conclusion
It’s been a while since I’ve listened to this album. I’ve played it quite some times, but really listen to it? Not enough times, I’m afraid. This band chooses sounds and effects with the same precision and care as they use selecting their vocalists.
You can say that it’s all very pleasant and safe music, I agree. You can say that there’s not a lot of innovation going on, I agree. You can try and keep criticising the album, but after the first two remarks, you’d have ended in a hospital bed for pissing me off a wee bit too much ;o)
Seriously, this record makes me smile, so bugger off gently and just go and listen to it a coupla times, really, really listen to it.
You may still think I’m a silly rabbit afterwards, but so what?

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General Description
Artist/Band: Zero 7
Album Title: AnotherLateNight
Year: 2002

In The Mix..
 
How I Got Into This Music
Ah well, after discovering the first Zero 7 album, Simple Things, I was very eager to hear more of their stuff. And the ‘AnotherLateNight’ concept was similar to that of ‘Back To Mine’: get an interesting artist/band to select and even (re)mix their favorite (remixed) tracks. Sounds confusing, but it works perfectly!

Album credits at ArtistsDirect.com

Tracks that got my attention:
(well, all of them actually, but still..)

Sunrays ft. Yeasterday’s New Quintet
Just love the background beats and the laid-back mellowness.

Real Eyes ft Quasimoto
That’s what I like about this album concept: you hear artists that you’ve never encountered before. Love the vocals: the bass-low combined with the nasal voice sounds great.

Witness (Walworth Rd Rockers Dub) ft Roots Manuva
One of the most interesting British artists in years: Roots Manuva. Too bad this one’s a dub version so not a lot of RM’s vocals on display, but still a nice remix.


Jealousy ft Slum Village
Wow, incredible beats combined with the kinky keyboards (nice alliteration, right?).

Channel 1 Suite ft Cinematic Orchestra
Hmm.. Cinematic indeed, great track for a noire cop movie, but not always an interesting listen..

Christine Bonilla ft Joy Zipper
A cute little trippy track, sometimes great, sometimes not so great..

Ghost Ship In A Storm ft Jim O’Rourke
Never heard of this guy, Jim O’Rourke, but I simply fell in love with this track: the sweet 70s California mellowness with the great guitar licks and those lovely vocals!!

93 Til Infinity ft Souls Of Mischief
Excellent track from 90s hip-hop act Souls of Mischief. When you hear the track you immediately get that nineties rap feeling (if you know that feeling, that is..)

Pra Manha ft Da Lata
Wow!Wow!Wow! You have to be a corpse in a very developed state of decomposition not to want to dance to this track! It’s the ultimate “Lord, I love the summer beach” atmosphere track ever made..

Bonnie & Clyde (Herbert’s Fred & Ginger Mix) ft Serge Gainsbourg
Funny thing about this track - I found the original version and realized that the original music’s been sample by MC Solaar in ‘Le Nouveau Western’. Just love this track: the buildup of different dance tempos is incredible - first the instrumental intro, then the vocals followed by the heavy bass drum beat and that followed by a great lazy bass!! You cannot ignore this song, it’s just too catchy.. And can you imagine ex-sex kitten Brigitte Bardot singing? Well, it’s her vocals.

Happiness (Ashley Beedle’s West Coast Mix) ft Shawn Lee
Shawn Lee’s voice would tempt the angels to give up their wings..

You Can’t Turn Me Away ft Sylvia Striplin
This is one of my all-time favorite tracks! That crazy bass loop and miss Striplin’s unbelievably great voice. This song’s also been haunting me coz I couldn’t remember where I heard it being sampled. Long Live the Interwub: the track’s been sampled by Junior MAFIA in ‘Get Money’. Here’s a little list of other tracks sampling this song.

Loving You, Holding You ft Don Blackman
Ooooh.. the bass! The bass!! Ouchie! Love it, just forget about some of the lyrics.

Cool Out ft Leroy Hutson
Perfect closing song for a dance party..

Truth & Rights ft Zero 7
Mellow mellowdrama by the boys themselves..

People Make The World Go Round ft The Stylistics
Not bad..

Conclusion
Excellent album, mixing of styles and beats working just right for me. I always have this one on me mp3-player. Of course it’s not a Zero 7 album I’m actually reviewing, but it’s their selection of music they dig that I’m writing about. And that selection is very, very nice!
ATTENTION: their next studio album, The Garden will be somewhere in May 2006 - check it out!

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General Description
Artist/Band: Sia
Album Title: Colour The Small One
Year: 2005/2006

(image from artistdirect.com)

Funny and wicked lil pixie with a soft knee to the groin..
 
How I Got Into This Music
A while back, I was lucky enough to see Zero 7 live at Paradiso’s. It was a great gig and the most interesting thing was seeing the ladies that belonged to the vocals I knew from the Zero 7 albums. One of those vocals belonged to this weird jumpy blonde called Sia Furler. I had to check out her album, but when I finally got it I didn’t listen to it that much. Last January I had this urge to play the album and kept playing it ever since.

Album credits at ArtistsDirect.com
|| Lyrics at AlwaysOnTheRun.net

Tracks that got my attention:
(well, all of them actually, but still..)

Rewrite
I’ll slip through your hands
I am one single grain of sand
Great moodiness, nice low-key setup of the track

Sunday
Just love the wicked lyrics combined with the sweet vocals


Breathe me
This track’s her breakthrough song in the US - it was used in the HBO series Six Feet Under and got her some nice attention on that side of the Pond.
Ouch, I have lost myself again
Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found
I can imagine it working perfectly with the incredibly strong visuals of the TV series. What I like about it, is that it’s the perfect showcase for this girl’s talented brittle and whispery voice.

The Bully
Now this is the track that’s been haunting me the last few months!
Co-written with Beck, this track just breaks every bone and shatters every nerve in my body. It’s the childlike vocals and the simple but perfect musical arrangement that make this one of my favorite tracks ever!
What you been doing
Still make the world a better place
Never stopped rueing
Making those tears fall down your face

Sweet Potato
She cooks you sweet potato you don’t like aubergine
She knows to boil the kettle when you hum bars from Grease

The chorus’ been haunting my brain like forever.. How can (s)he become the psychic that she longs to be to understand you?

But it’s the whole sweet and lovely music combined with the real-life lyrics that everybody recognizes, that works so incredibly well. The lyrics, love em!
So give her information to help her fill her holes
Give an ounce of power so he does not feel controlled
Ouch!

Don’t Bring Me Down
Heavy and moody violins and again great vocals

Natalie’s Song
Just love the dub work on her vocals in the chorus

Butterflies
We’ve argued by the baggage claim
We’ve accepted and we’ve laid blame
Just love this one! It’s one of the greatest ways to describe relationships..
Because we came from the same cocoon

Moon
Love the chorus, chilling and haunting

The Church Of What’s Happening Now

Welcome to The church of what’s happening now
Head straight through, it costs nothing but change
Oooh.. These lyrics get to me waaay too much, heheh.. Another perfect track to show Sia’s talented vocals!

Numb
Man, just listen to that voice, okay? Just shut up and listen.. Can’t hurt to pay attention to the lyrics either..

Where I Belong
Closing track and I imagine it’d be an excellent closing song for a live gig.

Conclusion
This album also qualifies for the Reload Category, but it’s mostly a Favorite of mine.
I just can’t get that voice out of my head and I know this one’ll last for more than just a coupla months. The combo of nice-n-easy music, great vocals and sometimes very, very to-the-point lyrics is what makes this one of my Favorite Things.. Got to see this lady perform live.

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General Description
Artist/Band: Zero 7
Album Title: Simple Things
Year: 2001

How I Got Into This Music
The first song I heard/saw was I Have Seen and it kinda made me curious coz on the one hand it seemed a bit of a cheesy rip-off, style-wise, but then on the other hand..
So after the second video I checked out this album and boy, was I happy I did! It’s safe-as-houses mellow-heavy music that trips you into a very chilled out mood..
Tracks that got my attention:

I Have Seen
The unbelievably dark and solemn vocals by Mozez and the lush 70’s style keyboards and strings make this song into a time travel experience like no other! Love it!

Polaris
Memory lane - this song’s connected with my first day in Auckland, NZ when I was over there on vacation in 2001.
Just the long walk along the city/rural environment combined with this sweet song that changes into some great mayhem.. An imprint on the brain that no amount of alcohol can damage away.. And the bass loop.. oooooohhh…

Destiny feat. Sia & Sophie
This track’s been on all the chill out albums of that year: great moody vocals and soundscape artistry

Give It Away
Again a track that evokes mellow city vistas with simple guitar play and heavy string arrangements

Simple Things
Ghost vocals by Mozez tear at your soul, fantastic track!

Red Dust
Cheesy intro, great followthrough! Lovely instrumental, I even enjoy the flute play on this track.

Distractions
I love you, I do..
I only make jokes to distract
myself from the truth
Again Sia on vocals and such a mellow-dramatic set of lyrics and a funny, funny video: suburban fracas!

Waiting Line
Man, this voice (Sophie Barker, I’m guessing) and such a frigging sweet song

Out Of Town
Least favorite track

This World
As close as you can get to the skies without burning off your wings..

Likufanele
Rootfull feeling, great choir and easily the sweetest horn arrangements in ages…

End Theme
Sometimes a bit annoying but it surely helps getting me energised for some serious house chores (or something alike..)

Conclusion
This album was a very lucky find, and I’m glad I did take time to listen to it. The music isn’t the most challenging thing you’ve ever heard (compared to more adventurous bands like Groove Armada and such) but it gets the job done very, very nicely. The ears and mind are prompted to pay attention to all kinds of great and little things happeningin the album - you can chill out to it excellently!
For me it’s also a flashback to a great vacation I had some years ago and nostalgia is a very strong emotion..

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