Seventh Tree

This is the dreamy kind of music that sounds pleasant while it's playing, but it doesn't really go anywhere and you forget what each song sounded like as soon as it's ended.

Pleasant but very samey. I've listened to it multiple times, and though the sound is nicely atmospheric, i am not really drawn to any track in particular.

Of the albums I’m listening to for the first time on this list, this might be the best so far. I had only really known Goldfrapp from ‘Ooh La La’ being in commercials in the 2000s. This was fairly different from what I would have expected given what I knew of her (and upon listening to some of their other top songs, this was a different direction for them). I was so surprised though on this that every song hit. I was expecting eventually there was one that didn’t work but right up until the end it was still working. This album is going to stay in the rotation.

Pleasant. Mild. Nice. Pretty. Wears a cardigan and hides behind fringes.

Reminds me of Cocteau Twins and I'm a big fan of this genre in general. Dreamy, chill.. a great album to listen to on a cold and rainy Saturday morning. "Happiness" was beautiful. One of the best new songs I've found through this so far (300 albums in, time flies dude!)

Matched my drive to work: Sunny and chill.

What a strange suggestion. Given that I'm not even sure to include *Felt Mountain*, Goldfrapp's debut, in my own list, I have a lot of trouble considering this later album of theirs seriously. *Felt Mountain* was already a patchy effort, some great moments mixed with quite a few snoozefests, especially those dreary instrumentals on side two. *Seventh Tree* is more cohesive in comparison, it's true. But replacing valleys and peaks with flatlands does not necessarily mean your band has improved overall. Besides, I've always found this project quite opportunistic, as great a vocalist as Alisson Godfrapp is. *Felt Mountain* was already like an afterthought of the trip-hop wave, never really reaching the heights of a Portishead in its neo-noir aesthetics. It was too late AND not enough. The 180-degree turn towards dance music in the following LPs also looked suspicious, like a money grab. And the quieter, smoother *Seventh Tree* released after this dance music period tried a little too hard to capitalize on a glossy version of the psychedelic wave that was surging again by the late naughts. A lot of acoustic textures, especially on the first side, allowed the band to do so while keeping their cool. But those textures, as nice as they are, can't make up for what's missing in this record... And what's missing in it? Well, memorable songs, for starters--or at least more than a couple of them. Striking melodies and unforgettable harmonies... And along with that: clear intents, a strong identity, genuine risks, heartfelt or witty lyrics... Pandering to the trends of the day doesn't necessarily give you those types of assets. I have nothing against "followers" (some of them did write essential albums once in a while), but for those, the songwriting needs to be top-notch. And well, said songwriting is just *OK* here. "Clowns" is the understated opening statement that's to be expected in that sort of *quote-unquote*, "more-authentic-album-aimed-at-a-more-mature-audience". "Little Bird" is the missing link between the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" and Beach House's "Zebra" or "Silver Soul"... but sadly, it is doomed to remain a passing footnote whenever someone has to mention those other legendary songs. "Happiness" seems to recycle the lessons of Feist's hits "My Moon, My Man" and "1234", released the year before, but without anything approaching (or even approximating) the soaring hooks and emotional choruses of the latter, unfortunately. Less lively but equally tedious--in spite of an interesting lo-fi guitar sound and the Billie Holiday overtones in its introduction--"Road to Somewhere" leads to nowhere fast. And "Eat Yourself" applies its piece of advice so well that the song instantly fades out of your memory as soon as it is over. Up to this point, only "Some People" does have anything ressembling a proper chorus, even though it's still lacking something that would bring the song to yet another level. Don't get me wrong, Goldfrapp doesn't write and perform bad music per se, and more power to you if you can appreciate what they do. It's just that "decent" is not the sort of thing that can keep you awake at night, is it? A couple of more straightforward songs towards the very end of this album--incidentally leaving aside the acoustic-psychedelic flourishes so prevalent in the rest of the tracks--show that Goldfrapp could still be a little more convincing when their heart was into it. The problem is that before those two tracks, the pop-rock diamond-in-the-rough "Caravan Girl", and the part-angsty, part-dreamy "Monster Love" (sounding like a proto-Lana Del Rey torch song about Hollywood and its many dangers), you also have the chatty MOR FM borefest "A&E", along with that very awkward "Cologne Cerrone Houdini". In those two other unfortunate cuts, Godfrapp even commits the crime of confusing style with substance, either through their excessive reliance in pop's hackneyed formulae for the first example, or through their heavy-handed borrowing of Serge Gainsbourg/Andrew Loog Oldham-like strings to painstakingly try to disguise how vacuous the second song actually is. To put it in a nutshell, successes and duds even things out at the end of this LP. And before that, there's nothing too lively happening anyway, in one direction or another. So if you wish to single out genuinely *essential records*, I'm not sure this innocuous LP filled with a lot of forcibly understated / *actually very naive* cuts--well-suited to be played as background music in a Starbucks--is what you're really looking for. Your call. 2/5 for the purposes of this list. Which translates to a 7/10 grade for more general purposes (5+2). Next, please. Number of albums left to review: 512 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 232 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 113 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 142 (including this one)

Goldfrapp’s airy voice just doesn’t do it for me

What a boring album. It was only 45 minutes, but half way through I thought to myself it needed to be over. It was not. The lyrics remind me of indie music, but there is more electronica to the music. Uninspiring and unmemorable.

Loved this one very unusual. Clow is such a great song.

A dreamy sound and a departure from the future electronica sound Goldfrapp usually bring, Alison’s vocals soar over lush arrangements. Occasionally straying into CocoRosie territory but nevertheless still a perfectly relaxing album.

A very interesting album. It has a vaguely ethereal feeling to all the songs, many of which have honestly fairly depressing themes. That being said, all the songs in the album were great to listen to, if you happen to be in the right mood for this sort of music. Standouts in the album for me are "Happiness" and "A&E", both of which hit very good instrumental and lyrical themes that honestly keep you paying attention to the music.

dejligt

Great voice and occasional glimpses of beauty but otherwise very bland and forgettable - a marked departure from earlier Goldfrapp records

I really liked the first track, but everything after that turned into a blur of songs that I could not separate out, and that left no lasting impression of anything. Perfectly fine for background music, but don't expect to remember that you had it on.

Seriously, two albums from this duo on consecutive days?! I'm still sleeping from yesterday's set! Seriously, though, this is music with a range so narrow an anorexic pencil wouldn't fit. Not annoying, just all the same - and much too wispy and soft for me.

Would make great background music for a cottagecore instagram post

Really, really dull. It's kinda pleasant in small doses I guess but this kind of music isn't really my thing. There was one song that stuck out (Happiness? I don't even care enough to look it up) that was pretty good and stood out but this was a "it's just there" album. Ultimately I have no clue why it was included, but I can see some people really liking it

Another case where I do not understand what this album has of extraordinary.

BORING!!!!! Who decides this is one of the 1001 albums I must hear before I die? Only a second star cause the girl on the cover looks like Goldie Hawn

sublimely beautiful. Incredibly harmonious and uplifting.

I really enjoyed the ethereal, electronic vibes of this album

Memories …

I love Goldfrapp so this is an instant like for me. The music just speaks to me unlike other albums in the similar genre.

This was a great pick today, as it introduced me to an artist that is right up my alley in music style. While the description of the album said it was an electronic duo, it came off more as a singer-songwriter album with Alison’s singing than it did electronic. I was completely hooked from start to finish and immediately went to seek out other albums to check out later. When I get stuck with bad albums as the daily picks, it’s ones like this that make me happy I do this challenge.

I thought this was brilliant. Lush and ethereal at the same time

Очень лёгкая и приятная музыка. Светлая и спокойная, хотя есть драйвовые треки. Считается электронной, но она воспринимается хорошей поп-музыкой с примесью инди.

Made me sad. This is the kind of music I’d like to make, only…shit voice. 🙁

Just like the accompanying video, the music ebbs and flows, dappled in sunshine and shadow. It's warm, evocative, tender and moving. The wispy vocals, hazy production and shimmering arrangements sparkle. A flawless, perfectly gorgeous album. This is now on my vinyl want list!

As a long-time Goldfrapp fan, it feels unfair to the other bands when I rate this. Nevertheless, very good album. You definitely need to be in a specific mood for it, but the first 10 seconds of the first song already put me in it.

How have I never heard of this before?! This should have been all over the place during college! I don’t know if this is because of getting two 1-star albums in a row or a testament to how good this is (probably a combination of both), but this really vibed with me. One of the best discoveries of this project for me so far.

So pleased this featured on my list - an absolute peach of an album! I'd associated Goldfrappe with the 'Oooh la la' track and discounted them for so long on that basis, then this album came along. Changed my mind forever. Beautiful.

Another delightful album from Goldfrapp! I love them. A happy day.

That was really nice to listen to!

An absolute breath of fresh air. Really nice!

I very much enjoyed Goldfrapp’s Felt Mountain. This had a different feel but if anything I enjoyed it more! Just an really excellent album that was a pleasure to hear.

I remember this name from the radio days but never really listened to them. Clowns is a really beautiful acoustic guitar tracked backed by these beautiful strings and what seems to be bird song towards the end. I feel like the band "Jockstrap" must be heavily influenced by this duo (being of similar makeup and aesthetic blending of the acoustic/organic with the electronic). "Little Bird" takes a much trippier approach. Happiness and Road to Somewhere are quite beautiful additions. Maybe it's due to just listening to portishead, but this feels like the flip side of the same coin. Trippy, electronic and organic instrumentations, but a little brighter. I can go on about Cologne Cerrone Houdini's great beat and beautiful strings or Eat Yourself's haunting vocals or caravan girls explosive ending synth arpeggios but just go and listen. This album's content is weirdly not in the list of their most popular songs except "A&E" which makes sense to me just being so vibrant and deeply emotional feeling. It's been a long time since I've immediately felt an album this way so 5 stars for that alone. Signing up for this website was worth it for an experience like this alone.

She's one to pick songs for my playlist. Check the lyrics for below. 5/5 A&E Eat yourself. Some People Monster Love Little Bird (listen to it again).

yaaaass #bellasara #rhiannonneedshertroughcleanedout!

Based on other reviews, I was expecting a dreary, almost ambient affair, but Seventh Tree really surprised me. It’s a gorgeous sounding, often folky affair with often great lyrics often full of bits of great observation. It may have been enhanced by the setting. I listened to this on a walk along a windy beach front, checking the windows of the shops and hotels for help wanted signs. I’ve recently moved house, and am looking for a job, and so the melancholy existentialism fit my mood and the setting perfectly. But I’m otherwise a sucker for this sort of depressing dreamy Folk Pop, I think I’d have enjoyed this regardless of my circumstances. I will 100% come back to this, so I’m tempted to give it a five, cos I’m sure I’ll fall more in love with it. Screw it, listening to Caravan Girl again clinched it for me

Es un disco que me gustó mucho, crea una atmósfera particular, relajada. También me inspiró a componer.

Un excelente disco de música "alternativa" liderado por una voz femenina. En mi opinión, este LP de Goldfrapp se adelantó bastante a las tendencias sonoras que dominaron los tabloides mainstream e indie, pudiendo incluso considerarse como un precursor del ya característico sonido de la segunda década de los 2000s. Muy recomendado, me enamoré del proyecto con este trabajo.

Wonderful album I would have never found on my own. Reflective and poignant, chill but meaningful. Great album

outstanding

Awesome album, I thought this was great, it really surprised me. The kind of albums I’m doing this challenge to find! The first track was just absolutely incredible and set the tone for the whole thing.

Virkelig overrasket over hvor fedt jeg synes det er. Helt vildt smukt, vokalen ligger så godt sammen med sparsom men meget elegant instrumentering, både digitalt, men også f.eks. mange strygere og meget rumklang. Ikke en genre jeg normalt rater da det er langsomt og stort fokus på vokal men hold da kæft det er smukt.

As heart warming lo-fi goes, its one of the best. Tight too

Nice and calm, just the way I like it

Used to listen to this album regularly. Excited to get back into it. 5/5

Astonishingly good. From earthy pagan psychedelia to glacial disco via pure pop. I don't know how they did it but they did. Outstanding.

Love this sound, so beautiful and varied and great

9/10 wonderful production absolutely loved the creativity here

Ahh, so dreamy. Fave tracks, Little Bird, A&E, Cologne Cerrone Houdini, and Caravan Girl

Seven out of five trees agree, this is Gold(frapp)

beautiful

Beautiful album, played this on repeat when it came out, and I was delighted to see it appear for me today. A detour from the previous two synth pop albums, and an expansion of the sound. If you like this, try 2017's Tales Of Us.

I think I really enjoyed this sort of folksy 2000s stuff. I know that this was a departure, but I would hazard a guess that it was a departure in the correct direction.

Oh boy. They're so much fun.

Why was this so good I really liked it

Amazing!

Should’ve listen to it a long time ago

Great album!

beautiful!

Awesome!

Smooth sound. Pleasantly surprised.

I did not expect this gorgeous melodic treat. I loved this album. Added, with pleasure.

Bra greier, dette blir med videre.

Beautiful album. Sat listening on a soggy February day and it took me to a warm sunny summer's afternoon.

This is easy to hate, but I was convinced by the folky dream-pop. Nothing new, but incredibly pleasant.

🎧This is not what I was expecting from a Goldfrapp album and I liked it quite a bit. Favorite track: Clowns

ethereal, lovely so far added little bird to one of my playlists, really digging the wave it's taking me on this is a tour de force. every song is powerful and feels unique while tied together brilliantly. i'm really enjoying - eat yourself is beautiful A&E feels like a turning point to be quite energetic in a way, but the lyrics are chilling. the whole song gives me frisson up and down my body, which is always a good thing in a track each song manages to surprise me. the strings on houdini are so deliberately jarring, in the best way, that it sets the song apart. the vocals just slap.

I love Goldfrapp. I don't listen to them enough. Alison has a wonderful voice.

This was really nice. Although unfamiliar with it, I heard lots of melodies that sounded familiar. I'm more at a 3.5, but its sheer beauty pushes it up to a 4. I was a bit skeptical based on the album cover. What is that about?

Very chill but pleasant!

Turns out I had a goldfrapp song in my library beforehand (ooh la la). Nothing like the music here though. I did enjoy it though.

Some gorgeous pop, electronic, and folk fusions presented here. This is my introduction to Goldfrapp, and while at first, I couldn't figure out what direction their sound was going in, I got a better feel for it as the album started to wrap up. They certainly sound like a lot of their contemporaries from the late 2000s indie scene, but I do find many aspects of this have aged really well, especially when it comes to the vocals. I loved the sweetness of tracks like 'Happiness' and especially 'A&E', a pop marvel that'll remain in my rotation for the foreseeable future. 'Cologne Cerrone Houdini' gave subtle trip-hop vibes with those string hits, and, alongside 'Eat Yourself', had Alison sounding a lot like Beth Gibbons to me. 'Caravan Girl' may have my favorite production on here, with it really amplifying those art-pop and electronic fusion sounds, even adding a bit of distortion. A great little pop experience, and one that's ahead of its time in many ways.

The music is really good - it reminds me of some of the more whimsical moments from The Beatles. "Happiness" was a highlight, and I'll probably revisit down the line.

Heartfelt, atmospheric, and soft electronic textures and acoustic instruments. Cool little pop piece.

This was good. Another early 2000's album I've never heard of but liked right off the bat. Something about it reminded me of MGMT at times, but much more mellow. 3.5/5

3+

Really enjoyed this. I've an untapped soft spot for goldfrapp I think

- it's funny to me that no one mentions neo-psychedelia when reviewing this record cause it's so trippy ..... -

really good. 3.5

I had a good time with this catchy, slightly ethereal tree.

I liked this far more than I expected to A warm hug of an album

muy bueno e original, medio midsommar

che, muy bueno eh

wannabe Cocteau Twins but still pretty good

I am surprised to rate this as a solid 4. Dreamy introspection works for me here and I even enjoyed the uptempo electropop more than I would have thought. Hail the British Empire.

good

I enjoyed this listen. Soft melodies and groovy bass lines gave me a few euphoric listening experiences.

A bit samey but nice

The great thing about this project is discovering an artist, that for whatever reason, had passed me by the first time around. I enjoyed this album. Goldfrapp has a voice that is a cross between Stevie Nicks and Enya. I think I’ll be listening to more of this in the future.

Another artist I did not know but fell in love with! Would love to hear more!

This is stunningly beautiful. I had an idea of what it was going to sound like and it ticks all those boxes and provides more. Fantastic I'm between a 4 and a 5. I just really like it but realise it isn't the coolest album by the band or one that represents the band. But it's just a pleasant listen, a real pleasure for a Saturday night

Nice and dreamy, could listen to this again during a quiet morning

Due to this list, I discovered and feel deep under the spell of "Felt Mountain" recently. Upon seeing another record by Goldfrapp, I got excited. "Seventh Tree" carries a lot more energy than its sister album, but I don't think that's a bad thing.

This one grew on me during listening to it... Great melodies, great sound and quite varied... A strong 4.5, but in this case I drop it to 4... More listenings could bring it to 5 though

Muy chulo. Más melódico que el disco que conocía

Went back and forth on this one between, “wow!” and “whatever”. Some tunes almost straight folk while others reminded me of the Cocteau Twins. Definitely tunes for late-night chilling.