When I found that I could listen to Goldfrapp’s ‘Seventh Tree’ album completely free of charge on MySpace I soon jumped at the opportunity. The album has not yet been released commercially, so the ability to be able to listen to it already is absolutely brilliant. Goldfrapp have never been a favourite of mine, however I have always had a great fondness for their music. The band actually formed in London in 1999, Alison Goldfrapp is of course the key figure behind the band and Will Gregory performs alongside her on the keyboards. These two members make up the band, and what they lack in members they definitely make up for in talent.
Gone is the dance inspired pop sound of old, and what has replaced it here is an ambient and downtempo affair, a greatly calming and soothing album that is absolutely perfect for relaxing to. This album begins with ‘Clowns’, continues with ‘Little Bird’ and never in this ten track album do the band fail to impress. It took me a while to adjust to the new sound of the band when I first heard it, however after a couple of listens I soon came to enjoy the new direction that the band have taken. Bands are at their most impressive I feel when they continually adapt their sound and broaden their horizons, something that has clearly been done by Goldfrapp here. This is not a genre that I would generally find myself listening to, but when music comes at a price tag of nothing I’m always prepared to give it a go.
‘Happiness’ is perhaps the track that stands out to me most when listening to this album. All of the tracks are equally mellow and chilled out, however there is just something about this one that makes it stand out a little from the rest. The melody is well constructed, and the vocals are finely laced lovingly atop of the beauteous musical accompaniment. The track just seems to work on every level and I love the way in which the track is carried out. Goldfrapp clearly have a great passion for the music that they are producing, this is certainly something that comes across in their sound and something that makes their music all the more appealing to listen to. It is great when you can hear that a band truly do believe in what they are doing, their passion for the music drives them and encompasses the sound entirely.
‘A and E’ was the lucky track chosen to be the lead single from this album, a decision that I certainly can’t complain with. Every single one of these tracks are equally beautiful I feel, each as essential as the next in making up the ‘Seventh Tree’ album as a whole. Even still, you can fully appreciate the decision to release this single first as there is definitely something about the track, an utterly captivating and awe inspiring display of absolute ambient excellence from the band. It is little over three minutes in length and yet so much is accomplished in the tracks run time, it is such a successfully structured single and not one note is at all out of place. When music is as fine in sound as this you can’t help but feel moved by it, something that Goldfrapp are continually successful in doing on this album.
Goldfrapp never fail to impress me with this album, the instrumental element of their music is always absolutely spot on and the vocals forever sweetly spoken. There is a greatly appealing quality about the music that the band are creating in this ‘Seventh Tree’ album. Tracks such as ‘Some People’ and ‘Eat Yourself’ are absolutely mesmerising, the music will put you into a joyous trance that you will find it hard to return from. The music borders upon perfection, a truly exceptional album that pleases with every twist and turn that it makes. Goldfrapp were not afraid to try out a new sound here and their decision to do so has yielded great dividends. Their refusal to remain static in their sound has certainly pleased me greatly, that’s for sure. Whilst I appreciated their old sound, I feel this new element that the band are portraying definitely provides greater suitability.
I have read that the band became inspired to write this album having performed an acoustic radio session, and I am definitely glad that this provided such great inspiration for them. Had they not played this session then they may never have unleashed the ambient element of their band, something that has laid dormant all these years but is now out there in the world to flourish. Acoustic guitars complete the Goldfrapp sound on this release, and it is a great addition I feel. The expected outcome of the band was that through implementing acoustic guitars their music would possess a greater warmth, and this is definitely something that comes across. Goldfrapp produce an extremely full sound on this release, a sound that is downtempo and ambient, warm and delicate, and ever impressive. If you’re not afraid of change then make sure that you give Goldfrapp’s ‘Seventh Tree’ a listen, it will surely warm your heart and tantalise your aural senses.
Label: Mute Records
Release Date: 25th February 2008
Rating:
UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.