Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp
2008
Album Summary
Seventh Tree is the fourth studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp. It was released on 22 February 2008 by Mute Records. It was named after a dream Alison Goldfrapp had about a "very large tree". Taking inspiration from paganism and surreal English children's books, Goldfrapp described the album as a "sensual counterpoint to the glitterball glamour of Supernature", their previous studio album from 2005.Seventh Tree became the duo's most critically acclaimed album since their 2000 debut Felt Mountain, with critics praising their new sound and their bravery for abandoning the dance atmosphere of their previous two albums. The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart with 46,945 copies sold in its first week. Four singles were released from the album. "A&E" was released as the lead single on 11 February 2008, peaking at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. The album's second single, "Happiness", peaked at number 25 on the UK chart, while the third single, "Caravan Girl", reached number 54. "Clowns" was released as the fourth and final single, charting at number 115 in the UK.
WikipediaThis 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.
Pleasant. Mild. Nice. Pretty. Wears a cardigan and hides behind fringes.
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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
Another case where I do not understand what this album has of extraordinary.
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
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.
Beautiful album. Sat listening on a soggy February day and it took me to a warm sunny summer's afternoon.
I did not expect this gorgeous melodic treat. I loved this album. Added, with pleasure.
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.
Loved this! I knew of Goldfrapp but never really took much notice. Great vocals, lovely, airy music and fine melodies. Definitely worth more listening time!
7/10. Some really enjoyable stuff, but the vibe was a bit too mopey for my taste. I liked the other Goldfrapp music that Spotify started shuffling after I finished though.
Really good. Plenty of variety, unpredictable changes and interesting from start to finish.
Nice album to listen to. I've never heard of this group and I enjoyed hearing them. I can see myself listening again.
Jeg likte denne. Fikk litt hipp A.kraus-vibber. legger denne i biblioteket av album jeg skal høre mer på.
Creo que el rocksito de estos tiempos no se explicaría sin Goldfrapp. Debo reconocer que en su momento nunca me llamó porque era demasiado tranquilo para mi gusto. Hoy con más paciencia y apertura encuentro muchas cosas positivas y aunque sigue siendo a ratos demasiado lento y atmosférico, cuando pisan el acelerador se escuchan muy, muy bien. Hapiness y Caravan Girl fueron las que más me gustaron.
I liked this album when it came out despite it being a bit left-field compared to previous Goldfrapp records. Listening now, I still enjoy the high pop elements but occasionally it does swoop into bland territory, albeit perfectly fine and well produced musical wallpaper. Happiness and A&E are great songs.
Listened Before? N This was actually great! A little weird at first but they have a unique sound and I love it. Added to Library? N Song added to Playlist: A&E
I like this a lot. Great melodies that are just unexpected enough to be constantly interesting yet still completely accessible. "Happiness" is a particular favourite - I love the classic-pop progression combined with electronics; fantastic. If you'd told me "Road to Somewhere" or "Monster Love" was Kate Bush I wouldn't have batted an eye. The album drags just a bit in parts - each song in isolation is quite good, but the album suffers a little from too many similarly slow-paced songs. Pacing could have been a bit better overall, but in sum I really enjoyed this - nothing necessarily chill-inducing but I'll listen to this again. 7/10 4 stars
Cool vibes but less engaging energy than I was hoping for. Closer to Joni Mitchell than Bjork. Nice enough but could have done with an electro banger or two to make me sit up and take notice.
Sounds like a mix of the Cocteau Twins and Kate Bush. No worse for that.
Got some Joni Mitchel vibes from the opening track. Not sure what she's talking about though - hard to decipher, but the song's called "clowns" and I heard the word "titties," so I'm guessing this is some condemnation on cosmetic surgery and fake appearances - which I can dig. Or maybe I'm totally wrong. Very nice song though. The next two remind me of Electric Light Orchestra, especially in the case of "Happiness" sounding like "Mr. Blue Sky." This album is growing on me, which I did not expect. Next the album strolls into Pink Floyd "Dark Side" territory before really settling in its own thing for the final few tracks. I will definitely come back to this album from time to time. Good stuff!
Nice and dreamy, whimsical. Makes me curious about this band, which I've been aware of but have not listened to much.
i only knew goldfrapp's music from supernature. this album was a complete departure! and i like it. it's serene. actually, it's surprisingly serene considering the variety of topics goldfrapp covers on this album. it's a nice easy listen, almost like you don't have to pay attention to the lyrics, but the lyrics are beautiful. each song is unique and has such purpose. overall, a lovely listen that i can't wait to come back to.
Ikke det jeg forventet, men bra. Hadde forventet noe mer elektronisk. Minner litt om Beth Orton
This Album was right in my wheel house when it comes to some soft pop! This album made me super happy and hit me in the feels in the right way possible! Standouts include Happiness, Some People, and Caravan Girl
I was familiar with their more dance-tronic material as well as the 2000 release that had a James Bond vibe happening and more in-your-face, eclectic instrumentation to offset Goldfrapp's airy voice. This is more mellow and understated by comparison. It was brave to release this after a chart-topping dance album. The subtle songs and elegant production take a while to grow on you, but I like it. Between a 3 and 4 for me.
Removed again. Yeah fair enough. Felt Mountain is obviously great, Black Cherry is possibly even better so if a 2nd Goldfrapp album is going in it's 100% that one, I love both those albums and regularly go back to them. I stepped off though at Ooh La La because it sounded just like Train but without the character so I thought, ah, out of ideas. So I never listened to Supernature - I think I may have listened to Seventh Tree once as it cropped up in year end lists but it definitely didn't leave an impression on me at the time. So, here goes... Will this be another lush, sumptuous album you could just drown in... or not? And the answer is.... Well the first track is certainly gorgeous. More than a hint of those sweeping John Barry strings that have always hovered around their sound. To be fair, it stays good. Not the same impact as those two albums but enough to encourage me to check out their later stuff and give this a listen again.
This is a great late night, chill vibes album. Was really nice to get play chess and listen to monster love. Felt like a French version of Japanese breakfast
I’ve always loved Goldfrapp but haven’t heard this album. What a surprisingly chill album. I like it but wanted something more upbeat. I thought I would enjoy it better if I was in a chill mood.
ALBUM RATING: 3.5 ALBUM GRADE: B- TRACK RATINGS: 1. Clowns - 4.0 2. Little Bird - 4.0 3. Happiness - 3.0 4. Road to Somewhere - 4.0 5. Eat Yourself - 3.5 6. Some People - 3.5 7. A&E - 3.5 8. Cologne Cerrone Houdini - 3.5 9. Caravan Girl - 3.0 10. Monster Love - 3.5
Brilliant sideways move into pastoral and gentle psychedelia. Synths are gentle washes and pulses, a move that absolutely suited them.
Great album, very dreamy and poppy, just my style. Good recommendation
At first I wasn't digging it, but as the album went on it got kind of catchy.
I gave this two listens, lots of beautiful singing, chilled rhythms and pleasant vibes. Will come back to it for sure.
New artist to me and this album sounds the best since it’s less electronic and more mellow
I lost track with Goldfrapp after the first couple of records, which was clearly a mistake. This is a beautiful electro folk album which I'm sure to return to. Best song is Happiness, just ahead of A&E
I don't know if I was just in a mood today or what but this hit just right. It's beautifully recorded, the vocals are for the most part delightful, and there's an intriguing aesthetic at play here with mostly traditional arrangements balanced with elements pulled directly from dance electronica. It's pretty dang good. The only reason that it doesn't get full marks is that it gets SUPER navel-gazey at times and I know, in a different mood, that'd piss me right off. But today? Today it worked.
Not really sure why I'm seeing so many people claim this album is homogenous or just vibes. While the delicate and dreamy atmospheres definitely play a huge part in the sonic identity of Seventh Tree, it's the core songwriting that shine through for me. There are also quite a few moments where Goldfrapp lets go of just creating serene vibes and comes out with some banger synthpop beat which really set this one apart from other albums in the same genre. Not at all boring.
So I knew Goldfrapp but I didn't quite realise Alison Goldfrapp's voice could be so lovely. From the first 10 seconds of Clown my head (ears?) was turned. Got a new fan, which is all I can ask for.
Даже несмотря на то, что мне ОЧЕНЬ редко нравится подобная музыка, у меня рука не повернётся поставить этому альбому меньше 4х звёзд. Он просто очень красивый по всем фронтам - вокал, инструментал и общая атмосфера альбома очень расслабленные и кропотливо выполненные, но мне просто не заходит этот жанр так сильно, как некоторым. (7)
Surprisingly enjoyable and catchy album. Dreamy sound with uptempo synth- music that wasn't annoying or anything though
Really enjoyed when it got a bit darker and eerier mid album. Great atmospheric production.
The only exposure I had to Goldfrapp before today was hearing A&E right near the end of Now That’s What I Call Music 69, so I had no idea what to expect going into this album. The opening track was absolutely beautiful, and Little Bird and Happiness were both incredible as well. The album dragged a little in the middle for me with a couple of less interesting songs, but on the whole this was hugely enjoyable and I’ll definitely be diving into their catalogue
Kind of like what you'd hear in a jazz lounge on Deep Space 9. Silky smooth vocals over fun beats. BIG FAN.
Ethereal, whimsical, sophisticated rhythms and a fascinating combination of sounds. It feels experimental in a way. Overall I really liked it.
Goldfrapp was a new artist for me and Seventh Tree was all new music. I enjoyed listening to the album. The music didn't sound a lot like typical things I might listen to, but the album still held my attention. The music seemed like it would fit in with Dido, Natalie Imbruglia, or Michelle Branch - not that it sounded like those artists exactly, but the music would fit in. A few tracks had some good energy and I bookmarked to listen to again ("Little Bird", "Caravan Girl", "Monster Love"). One track was verging on a skip ("Cologne Cerrone Houdini"), but it did not have the same sound as the rest of the album.
Nice album. A few songs the vocals take some getting used to (first one in particular.) Worth it, decent listen.
Pensé que sería solo una voz y guitarra aburrida y estaba resignado a perder mi tiempo, pero qué feliz estoy de haberme equivocado.
"Everything goes around, bringing us back again;" sings Alison Goldfrapp, with appropriate naivety for such a bland closing lyric- "here is where we start and where we end." It figures: on their fourth album, the duo step back towards their downtempo roots of lush electronica, moving away from striking nu-glam and sitting contentedly mid-stream. "Seventh Tree" is a strange inclusion on this list: perhaps it was added to an early edition just after release (when Goldfrapp had reputations as critics' darlings) and swiftly replaced by greater works as the editions rolled on. Regardless, this is a solid album that satisfies without stretching. Its tone is pastoral, optimistic, nostalgic. "Clowns" opens with washes of reverb and acoustic guitar arpeggios, a distant whispered vocal recalling Cocteau Twins and some gentle strings to carry us through the last minute. Atmospherically, it's a perfect fit, sitting alongside other album tracks like "Some People" and "Cologne Cerrone Houdini" as Goldfrapp at their mystifying, seductive peak. What caught me off-guard was the album's more upbeat side. "Caravan Girl" and "Happiness" are straight up bangers with clear choruses, prominent percussion and driving rhythms, while "A&E" is very strong single material. There's a good range to "Seventh Tree" which keeps it fresh, although if we're being honest, none of it really has the feeling of innovation or excitement. Often, the music's strength is let down a bit by generic lyrics- even titles like "Road to Somewhere" and "Monster Love" feel lacking, vague and uninspired. Most of it comes off as just "nice" by the end, which I'd still take over "dull". There are certainly some gems in here and I'm glad I got to hear it.
It’s ok but this genre isn’t my favorite. The Melodie’s were ok but not that great. I also felt the lyrics were difficult to follow. I’m bout sue what this album was on the list, sadly.