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| Seventh Tree (Deluxe Edition) | 
 enlarge | Artist: Goldfrapp
Label: Mute U.S.
Category: Music
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $13.87
You Save: $6.11 (31%)
New (37) Used (7) from $13.87
Avg. Customer Rating:  60 reviews
Sales Rank: 3839
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.3 x 5.2 x 0.7
MPN: 69382
UPC: 724596938225
EAN: 0724596938225
ASIN: B0011FXLCC
Release Date: February 26, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: FACTORY SEALED SHIPS IMMEDIATELY
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| Tracks:
| • | Clowns | | • | Little Bird | | • | Happiness | | • | Road to Somewhere | | • | Eat Yourself | | • | Some People | | • | A & E | | • | Cologne Cerrone Houdini | | • | Caravan Girl | | • | Monster Love |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk
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
Album Description
Limited deluxe two disc (CD + PAL/Region 0 DVD) edition of this 2008 release, the fourth studio album by the Electronic duo. This deluxe package contains a bonus DVD featuring a documentary, 'A&E' music video and a Q&A session, presented in card picture sleeves housed in a deluxe clamshell picture box complete with handwritten lyric book, fold out poster and postcards. Seventh Tree sees the duo return to the more ethereal feel of their debut Felt Mountain as opposed the glitter glamour of Supernature. Here they use elements of Folk and Ambient music, and display influence from Gallic stars such Air and Serge Gainsbourg, all resulting in a warm, delicate, irresistible album. Features 10 tracks including the single 'A&E'. Mute.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 55 more reviews...
 PEOPLE DON'T DANCE NO MORE, BUT THAT'S OK (3.4 stars) February 26, 2008
58 out of 71 found this review helpful
Slow and low, that is the tempo, or at least the majority of the new album from Goldfrapp. Seventh Tree, the bands 4th long player, marks a drastic change in direction and sound, but one that's not completely foreign territory. Gone are the beats and electro glam elements of Black Cherry and Supernature, anything else remotely electronic has been replaced with acoustic guitars and strings. From the instant you push play, some may find similarities to the band's debut, Felt Mountain, and why that may be true in a few places, Seventh Tree is also its own animal. The songs on it are somehow less haunting, but more folk inspired. Less eerie, but much warmer in tone. For the most part, the disc feels a little too lazy, like a nice relaxing summer afternoon.
I understand the reason for the change, bands shift directions all the time, after all, how many Verizon commercials can you soundtrack? Maybe Alison was just tired of all the synthesizers and dancing? Admittedly, it took me a while to get over the fact this didn't sound like Black Cherry and Supernature, but it took me longer to figure out it wasn't as close to Felt Mountain as I first thought. It shares the same beautiful qualities of Felt Mountain, and the same personal, simplistic songs, but something is missing. I just think in the process of recording it, the mystery was lost. The appeal of Felt Mountain (and some of Black Cherry) is that it has a curious, haunting aspect to it. Seventh Tree is so stripped down in places, it fails to provoke emotion when it should be all about that. Where all of the previous work had a dynamic to the records as a whole, the simple songs on Seventh Tree pull that dynamic out and pushes the focus on a chilled-out acoustic record. An ok idea on paper I guess, but with so many elements that I loved now stripped away completely, it is a hard pill to swallow, even in it's sweetest form.
When they do decide to pick up the pace on songs like Caravan Girl, it seems way out of place and too little, too late. Even though some of it strangely reminds me of some late seventies records, it still is Goldfrapp, and there is no mistaking that. Clowns is wonderful and atmospheric and works wonders as a great opener. Clowns is one song that would have been right at home on Felt Mountain or Black Cherry. The pleasantly sunny lead single, A&E plays it a bit too safe, but does just enough to keep me from hitting fast forward. The one true and constant throughout is Alison's voice, it is still as gorgeous as ever. It shines on songs like Some People and Little Bird, and with the lack of beats and samples getting in the way, it definitely plays up the band's strongest suit. The problem is when you pull things out, you got to make sure there are things left. Apart from that amazing voice, we just don't have very much to go on. Worse yet, some of the songs aren't very melodic, even though their delivery would suggest otherwise.
Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad record, just one that catches our expectations off-guard big time, then fails to really wow us when it should. It is a very pleasant album and why that's not a bad thing, I have just come to expect more from them than just chilling out. No doubt Seventh Tree will grow on me as it ages, it already has, but I doubt I'll reach for it as much as those records that came before it. So while we've seen big musical changes from Goldfrapp before, Seventh Tree fails to spark all the same emotions and excitement, even though its heart is in the right place.
 For Fans of 'Felt Mountain' February 26, 2008
37 out of 43 found this review helpful
The world slows down and obeys the pace you've stumbled into. Weak stomachs, all encompassing warmth and the way she blinks her eyes; oh, the way she blinks. You're in love. Inhibitions bow and step aside as you two walk through the purity of the newness: the honeymoon period.
Over time this freshness subsides and affection gets lost in a labyrinth of comfort. The desire to impress morphs into a fear of complacency and before you know it, you've grown apart. You part ways and move on reluctantly only to run into each other years later and come to find things weren't really as off as they seemed. She's still got that blink you fell in love with.
Thus is my relationship with Golfrapp. "Felt Mountain", with its modern cabaret noir was so original, so new and around every turn never failed to consume me with its spell. Then astray they went into the disco electro-pop direction completely abandoning what so easily drew me in. "Seventh Tree" is a welcomed return to form and eases the strain of having lost Goldfrapp, though not enough to be completely convinced they're back.
The gentle strums of opener, `Clowns', sees Alison hunched over a microphone so delicately serenading over acoustic guitar and subtle string arrangements that you can almost feel her breath on your neck. Throughout "Seventh Tree", this extension of Felt Mountain adorns every track.
Where we see a progression is in the percussion and simple song structure. Songs like `Little Bird' spend their entire duration building to a powerful but understated drum climax. Others use electronic beats such as those used on "Black Cherry" and "Supernature's" more dance-inspired cuts but become slowed and turned down to give these tracks a strong pop feel. `Happiness' incorporates the electro-weirdout sounds that gave "Felt Mountain" its uniqueness, but here in moderation and to quite perfect pop dilution.
All said, "Seventh Tree" is beautiful pop holding most of its distinction in Alison Goldfrapp's voice. Will Gregory's production is at once reserved, but given a fair number of listens the way he underscores his muse's vocals is extremely satisfying. There is nothing groundbreaking here but, this guy at least, is so happy to be touched by what he fell in love with in the first place after such a long, uneasy absence.
 Music for the heart, not the feet!! February 26, 2008
26 out of 29 found this review helpful
UK glam electronic duo Goldfrapp is back, and with a new sound on their fourth album. Out go the stomping beats of the last two albums ("Black cherry" and "Supernature"), and in come lots of acoustic guitar against a chilled swirling ambient soundscape, a move sure to send those expecting disco lights and balls heading for the hills. Those who like Kate Bush, Kate Havnevik or Björk will be embracing this with maniacal glee.
"Seventh Tree" is the follow up to their UK #2 Grammy nominated album "Supernature". Right from the delicately strummed guitars, ethereal vocals and haunting strings of the percussion free opening cut "Clowns", the atmosphere is one of gently floating away. "Little bird" is folk/electronica with sparse guitars and electronic flourishes ebbing and flowing, and percussion filtering in towards the end.
"Happiness" features delicate percussion initially which builds up as the song progresses, it has a nice swinging feel and is one of a pair of (the most) upbeat numbers. "Road to somewhere" is a gentle acoustic ballad with lilting beats, a faint bassline and an almost Oriental feel. "Eat yourself" is another acoustic ballad with instruments gradually building up with angelic sounding harmonies. Similar is the shimmery "Some people".
Lead-off single "A&E" is a gently pulsing acoustic song which vaguely reminds me of Cyndi Lauper's "All through the night", albeit a more sombre version. Surprisingly, it has made the UK top 10, surprising as it is beautiful but so uncommercial. The sweeping "Cologne Cerrone Houdini" is a beautiful dreamy ballad that sounds like it should be the next James Bond theme song. The other upbeat song is the poppy Cranberries-style "Caravan girl" with gently jangly guitars (it's almost as though they are afraid they will wake you up), and closing is the gentle acoustic "Monster love" with swirling electronic effects and an almost hymnal feel.
Lots of haunting or angelic harmonies, a stripped down dreamy acoustic sound garnished with swirling synths and electronic effects. Goldfrapp have made music, not for the feet this time, but for the heart.
Yet another classic. February 27, 2008
25 out of 28 found this review helpful
So another Goldfrapp album is out and like clockwork, when Alison changes direction, she alienates legions of fans. This is nothing new of course. Just look at the reviews for Black Cherry from people who were huge fans of Felt Mountain. It cracks me up because these same people who are lambasting Seventh Tree right now, will be loving it in about 4 months.
People should be thankful Goldfrapp has given us another side to admire and indulge ourselves in. I didn't want another Felt Mountain, or Black Cherry, or Supernature. This album is what I wanted and before it was released I didn't know what I wanted from them. That is what's so great about Goldfrapp. You don't know what kind of musical ride they'll take you on next, but you best believe when it comes that it will be one of the best rides of your life.
So back to the album. This album is effing brilliant - dare I say before its time, like most of Goldfrapp's albums. It evokes memories of the Cocteau Twins (who I am a big fan of) circa Heaven or Las Vegas.
I plead to you people who would give this album a negative review - just wait for the initial shock of change to wear off, soak it all in, and then when the fog has cleared, come back and tell people how lush these soundscapes and alison's vocals are.
Fan's of Goldfrapp owe it to other fans of Goldfrapp. This is another one for the ages.
A Beautiful Album February 26, 2008
21 out of 29 found this review helpful
*Note: The difference with the special edition is that, along with the studio album, it contains a DVD featuring the A&E music video/mini-documentary, as well as a fold-out poster, postcards, and lyric book*
When I heard "A&E", the first single from the album, I wasn't sure whether I liked it or not. Then, once I listened to the song within the context of the rest of the album, and it seemed to fit perfectly. Alison Goldfrapp's voice has been incredible, from their first album on, but 'Seventh Tree' seems to have refined the musical atmosphere to better incorporate it, making both fit together in harmony.
This reminds me a lot more of Felt Mountain, than either Black Cherry or Supernature, though 'Seventh Tree' sounds warmer and more personal. The similarity between the two is mostly in the overall depth and expansive landscape of the songs. Present, as well, is that drifting-on-clouds vibe that carries many of the songs from beginning to end which has been present on all of them. However, while the others were mostly comprised of cool, danceable music, both 'Felt Mountain' and 'Seventh Tree' just allow themselves to be lovely and simple, though, of course, there are obviously some complicated things going on, upon closer inspection.
It's hard for me to pick favorite tracks, since they all flow so well together, but I'd probably settle on "Cologne Cerrone Houdini", "Little Bird" and "Happiness". This album has moments where it's hard to imagine that the sounds generated by the keyboards are actually electronic in any way, since they seem so natural and earthy here, more so than any of their previous releases.
Some fans of their previous work might be turned off by the slow pace 'Seventh Tree', as I was initially. I still find that, isolated, a few of the songs on here aren't as strong as the whole. 'Seventh Tree' is the flip-side of the glitz and glamour of 'Supernature', and almost Zen-like in it's tranquility. Each of Goldfrapp's albums (and individual songs) have been fantastic pictures of the evolution of their unique sound. Just as I've finished listening to 'Seventh Tree', I already can't wait to hear their next album!
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