The Garden

by

Zero 7

Edit

Wow. This was truly different than what I expected, even after hearing samples and reading reviews that this is far from a "Simple Things II."

While I would have loved another chillout album, the music I got was good AFTER the second spin and the shock wore off. Let me repeat -- AFTER the second spin. (The first spin had me thinking I would be selling it.)

Some people here have mentioned Steely Dan in Zero 7's new vibe. I can hear that; but for me, this album sounds a lot like it could have come from 1969 interpreted in an 80's fashion, like Z7 had been listening to some early Cardigans music among other material (not a bad thing at all -- just so different for Z7). To explain further: the melodies, thought-provoking lyrics, and arrangements are more 60's hippie-trippy than trip-hop, like psychedelic Jimmy Webb pop meets mellow Pink Floyd. Darker than sunshine pop, but far from gothic. All that is contained within the trappings of many 80's elements that are all the rage right now.

And to my ears, it works. AFTER the second spin.

Again, even though I personally would have preferred another chillout album, there is enough Z7 spice and intelligence to make this set a keeper. Not only that, the group is smart enough to recognize that the chillout craze won't last forever. This latest musical direction shows at least one alternate route that they could successfully take without being dangerously typecast in nu-lounge.

It's refreshing to see a talent like Zero 7 be able to switch directions and still pull off quality material. That doesn't happen often. While I do hope that they include some more of what made them famous next time around -- some "Simple Things" stuff -- it will be interesting to see what new ideas they have up their sleeve.

Recommended for: those willing to try something new that might be a slightly acquired taste. Acquiring that taste will be well worth it.

I love Zero 7. I love some of the music on this album, but it is definitly my least favorite, and it pains me to say that.

Throw out all the five star and one star reviews, and check out what people are saying. We're all here because we love this group's music, so what's different on this album?As other reviewers have pointed out, there are a lot of half-realized works. Overall, the vocals are fine, but I do find myself missing the variety of three contrasting lead vocalists: Sophie Barker or Tina Dico or Mozez. I also miss the gorgeous strings they used to drop with great effect. To give an example of flashes of brilliance, let's take the beginning of the album.

"Futures" kicks off the album, introduces Jose Gonzalez, and sounds great. Then about 2 1/2 minutes in, it just goofs around with some annoying sound editing (one effect sounds like your CD is skipping) and then brings in some obvious and klunky percussion. This give you the sense they are building up one of their epic climaxes, but it just dies there. 2 1/2 minutes, then mediocrity. Bummer.

The next tune, "Throw It All Away" sounds great and surprisingly bouncy, but then a couple of things happen. The energy really kind of drops on the chorus. It's unsatisfying, and you can hear Sia's soulful licks coming before they happen because, well, there's so little to do. And then a little annoying guitar line comes in; it sounds amateurish. Coming from Zero 7, I'm surprised.

Then comes an instrumental tune, "Seeing Things." Great production, but kind of soulless. My wife walked in while it was playing and said that it sounded like "video game music." Ouch--that's my Zero 7 your talking about! But she had a point.

"Pageant of the Bizarre" and "Fine Social Scene" sound nice, but depend on you really connecting with their repetitive builds, and thanks to some buzzy guitar work, it works for me on Social Scene, but the beginning of Bizarre is a better song. Again, pieces of brilliance.

So what did I think was perfect?

I'm glad another review mentioned "Left Behind." It's a gorgeous one minute song. But one minute?! I would have loved to hear them transform this jewel into one of their six-minute epics. Oh well.

"You're My Flame" take their new techie-chill-bouncy approach and nails it; Sia sounds great without digging into her soul bag.

"Today" takes a samba beat and throws the patented Zero & chill on top; Jose Gonzalez is perfect. Great track.

Overall, pieces of most everything on the album sound wonderful, but there are a lot of bland let-downs for this Zero 7 fan. But I still love 'em and I aint going anywhere.