Sat Apr 09 2022
3
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.
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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
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.
Reviews
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Wed Feb 16 2022
3
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.
Thu Jul 07 2022
2
Pleasant. Mild. Nice. Pretty. Wears a cardigan and hides behind fringes.
Fri May 06 2022
5
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.
Sun Oct 16 2022
4
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!)
Mon May 30 2022
4
dejligt
Fri Jul 22 2022
4
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.
Wed Sep 07 2022
4
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.
Thu Apr 14 2022
2
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
Sat Jun 11 2022
2
Another case where I do not understand what this album has of extraordinary.
Wed Aug 03 2022
2
Goldfrapp’s airy voice just doesn’t do it for me
Mon Sep 05 2022
2
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
Thu Jun 29 2023
2
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)
Fri Sep 16 2022
1
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.
Tue Feb 08 2022
5
Beautiful album. Sat listening on a soggy February day and it took me to a warm sunny summer's afternoon.
Tue Mar 29 2022
5
Bra greier, dette blir med videre.
Thu Jun 30 2022
5
I did not expect this gorgeous melodic treat. I loved this album. Added, with pleasure.
Sat Sep 10 2022
5
Smooth sound. Pleasantly surprised.
Thu Sep 29 2022
5
Awesome!
Thu Oct 13 2022
5
beautiful!
Fri Dec 16 2022
5
Great album!
Mon Jan 16 2023
5
Should’ve listen to it a long time ago
Mon Feb 20 2023
5
Amazing!
Wed Feb 22 2023
5
Why was this so good I really liked it
Thu Feb 23 2023
5
Oh boy. They're so much fun.
Fri Mar 03 2023
5
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.
Thu May 25 2023
5
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.
Wed Jun 07 2023
5
beautiful
Thu Jun 15 2023
5
Loved this one very unusual. Clow is such a great song.
Mon Jul 03 2023
5
Seven out of five trees agree, this is Gold(frapp)
Fri Aug 11 2023
5
Ahh, so dreamy. Fave tracks, Little Bird, A&E, Cologne Cerrone Houdini, and Caravan Girl
Sun Jan 23 2022
4
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!
Tue Jan 25 2022
4
Great production and nice sound but generally pretty down tempo. 7/10
Tue Jan 25 2022
4
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.
Tue Jan 25 2022
4
7/10 nice dreamy pop music but it kinda put me to sleep at times
Wed Feb 09 2022
4
Really good. Plenty of variety, unpredictable changes and interesting from start to finish.
Wed Feb 09 2022
4
Not what I was expecting
Wed Feb 09 2022
4
Never heard it before but really enjoyable.
Wed Feb 16 2022
4
A 4 as you like some of their other albums more. Good stuff though
Tue Feb 22 2022
4
Nice album to listen to. I've never heard of this group and I enjoyed hearing them. I can see myself listening again.
Tue Feb 22 2022
4
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Clowns, Happiness, Road to somewhere
Tue Mar 01 2022
4
A classic
Wed Mar 02 2022
4
At first I wasn't into this album, but then Happiness came on
Wed Mar 16 2022
4
4.25
Tue Mar 29 2022
4
Jeg likte denne. Fikk litt hipp A.kraus-vibber. legger denne i biblioteket av album jeg skal høre mer på.
Mon Apr 11 2022
4
Not like their others, same quality.
Thu Apr 14 2022
4
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.
Mon Apr 18 2022
4
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.
Thu Apr 28 2022
4
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
Sun May 01 2022
4
Muy chulo. Más melódico que el disco que conocía
Tue May 17 2022
4
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
Wed May 18 2022
4
Very pretty, can hear lots of Alpine
Thu May 26 2022
4
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.
Sun May 29 2022
4
i fell asleep to this album but in a good way
Thu Jun 02 2022
4
No está mal. Algo popi
Wed Jun 22 2022
4
Sounds like a mix of the Cocteau Twins and Kate Bush. No worse for that.
Fri Jun 24 2022
4
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!
Fri Jun 24 2022
4
first listen a lovely album
Sat Jun 25 2022
4
Nice and dreamy, whimsical. Makes me curious about this band, which I've been aware of but have not listened to much.
Wed Jun 29 2022
4
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.
Thu Jun 30 2022
4
Ikke det jeg forventet, men bra. Hadde forventet noe mer elektronisk. Minner litt om Beth Orton
Fri Jul 08 2022
4
Entertaining and smooth. I'll try out more of their stuff.
Fri Jul 08 2022
4
Pop, electrónica. Chill out.
Wed Jul 13 2022
4
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
Wed Jul 27 2022
4
Мне даже больше Адель понравилось, но всё равно местами уныло.
Wed Aug 03 2022
4
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.
Wed Aug 10 2022
4
Muy chulo. Más melódico que el disco que conocía
Thu Aug 11 2022
4
A&E is the absolute standout track on this.
Thu Aug 18 2022
4
Some really nicely written relaxed pop stuff
Fri Aug 19 2022
4
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.
Mon Aug 22 2022
4
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
Fri Aug 26 2022
4
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.
Thu Sep 08 2022
4
Good
Wed Sep 14 2022
4
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
Thu Sep 15 2022
4
Aika kaunista. Pitkästä aikaa jotain, mitä kuuntelee mielellään.
Mon Sep 19 2022
4
Brilliant sideways move into pastoral and gentle psychedelia. Synths are gentle washes and pulses, a move that absolutely suited them.
Wed Sep 21 2022
4
Great album, very dreamy and poppy, just my style. Good recommendation
Thu Sep 29 2022
4
At first I wasn't digging it, but as the album went on it got kind of catchy.
Thu Oct 27 2022
4
Love it!
Mon Oct 31 2022
4
I gave this two listens, lots of beautiful singing, chilled rhythms and pleasant vibes. Will come back to it for sure.
Mon Oct 31 2022
4
I like goldfrapp. This is a good one too.
Mon Nov 14 2022
4
New artist to me and this album sounds the best since it’s less electronic and more mellow
Fri Dec 02 2022
4
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
Wed Dec 14 2022
4
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.
Thu Dec 15 2022
4
Wow, what a great album. I would describe it as "lush".
Thu Dec 22 2022
4
Didn’t listen yet
Wed Dec 28 2022
4
Surprisingly nice!
Thu Jan 12 2023
4
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.
Sun Jan 15 2023
4
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.
Thu Jan 19 2023
4
mysig mellow indie!
Mon Jan 23 2023
4
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)
Fri Feb 10 2023
4
This was great, loved it.
Fri Feb 10 2023
4
Didn't think I was going to enjoy that one, but it really wasn't bad.
Sun Feb 12 2023
4
Surprisingly enjoyable and catchy album. Dreamy sound with uptempo synth- music that wasn't annoying or anything though
Wed Feb 15 2023
4
Really enjoyed when it got a bit darker and eerier mid album. Great atmospheric production.
Sat Feb 25 2023
4
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
Sun Feb 26 2023
4
Kind of like what you'd hear in a jazz lounge on Deep Space 9. Silky smooth vocals over fun beats. BIG FAN.
Tue Feb 28 2023
4
Ethereal, whimsical, sophisticated rhythms and a fascinating combination of sounds. It feels experimental in a way. Overall I really liked it.
Tue Feb 28 2023
4
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.
Fri Mar 03 2023
4
Nice album. A few songs the vocals take some getting used to (first one in particular.) Worth it, decent listen.