Seventh Tree

I really should have trusted Goldfrapp more.
From the genius of Felt Mountain, via the gorgeous Black Cherry to the fantastically stompin' Supernature, they have never let me down.
I've seen them three different times and it's always superb. Their music and their videos always push at boundaries but there I was, having doubts about this album before I'd even heard it.

I guess it was a combination of my expectations and the almost ravenous reception by Radio One of "A&E". I think I kind-of turned off.
The seemingly superficial ballad style of A&E and a host of gushing emails from Jo Whiley's listeners immediately started me on the "sold out" train of thought.
Was I wrong?.. you bet. I guess listening on the workplace-radio didn't do "A&E" justice.
I subsequently heard 2 more tracks "Little Bird" and "Happiness" then saw a late night TV performance.
It's one of those moments in life when you're so glad to be wrong.

Part of what Goldfrapp have, over more pedestrian bands, is a willingness to change, adapt and experiment.
They still have the unique style you already love but it's here in a different form.
All the good things that make Goldfrapp Goldfrapp are there in Seventh Tree you just have to unwrap the new "packaging" and then you'll see it.
Seventh tree is still envelope-pushing, edgy, inspiring, warm, inviting, blissful and retains that glorious oddness that has always defined Goldfrapp for me. Listening to this feels like taking a shower in warm honey whilst having a violent attack of the goosepimples.

Another triumph for re-invention and yet another 5 gold stars for Alison & Will.

Terrific stuff.

Like all great song writing musicians [Prince, for example], you need to keep re-inventing yourself to have a career that will last decades rather than a couple of albums. Goldfrapp, with Seventh Tree prove they are here for the long term and have produced an album that I can only describe as an instant classic!

Styles touch on early Roxy Music, Cocteau Twins, Joni Mitchell, Wendy & Lisa and even Marlene Dietrich/Bardot on Cologne Cerrone Houdini! But they take these influences, mix them up in a bowl of magic Goldfrapp soup and create something so extraordinary and fresh for 2008 that I just can't stop listening to it. [Thanks Alison and Will for giving us all a week to preview the album in full on myspace - great idea, and I'll be buying the album as soon as it's available].

The combination of Will Gregory's incredible chord structures and Alison Goldfrapp's haunting vocals is pure stardust and I'm so pleased they've given us another generous sprinkle.

Everyone who is a loyal fan of Goldfrapp knows there was never going to be Supernature part two and thankfully Seventh tree is its delicated counterpoint in pure, innocent and melodic in oppose to the glam rock sound that floods the likes of Ooh La La and Ride a white horse. The simplicity of Seventh tree proves effective, yet like Black Cherry and Supernature the songs are layered and contain texture. Reading recent reviews it comes to my attention people have described this album as acoustic, it couldn't be more opposite, 70s Moog synths layered with spilling piano forms and orchestral brilliance and Alisons vocals cascading beautifully sounding warmer and challenged.

CLOWNS/ An amazing introduction to the album, unrecognisable lyrics, the looped synth and melodic whirlpool of operatic vocals is an ethereal way to start the album.

LITTLE BIRD/ On a first listen it replicates a Beatles track from their famous Sgt Peppers album, a simple track, with the beautifully sung 'July, July, July' chours it plunges into a finishing crescendo of an epic finish with raw percussion and echoed pianos.

HAPPINESS/ The melodic upbeat track focusing on spirituality, it proves that Goldfrapp do have an ounce of happiness and its jump along chorus and electro riffs are a quirky assualt on this emotional track.

ROAD TO SOMEWHERE/ Filmic and epic, a violin strikes through the verses that are chanting about journeys and discovery before a hault and the chorus climbs through with reverbs on the synthesisers Alisons voice proving effortlessly intense.

EAT YOURSELF/The underrated track, mellow and melancholic, with an acoustic riff so delicate its provokes the coldest of listeners, with its sad yet optimistic chorus its a softly sung track about loneliness.

SOME PEOPLE/ The strong emotive ballad with unusual lyrics 'Some people, ask how old i am', its lead by a piano played on a simple chord but with intensity and effects used to louden its power. The construction of this track reflects Alisons vocal range and Will's passion for film scores, it has a euphoric chorus and a beautiful ending.

A and E/ One of the most amazing singles Goldfrapp has ever created and it will still be a personal song of loneliness and love for years to come. Amazingly written and a close attention to melody, it shows the bands interest in capturing a melody more than a soundscape or a sexual metaphor. A&E has a psychedllic feel to it a cheerful Velvet Underground or a more calmer Bonnie Tyler, it is a power ballad that people may frown upon, but this can be seen as such a intelligently written song that Goldfrapp has ever made.

COLOGNE,CERRONE,HOUDINI/ It takes for the chorus to kick in for this song to come into its own, but when the three words are sung it loops in orchestral beauty and like 'Some People' its epic and provides the most interesting title on the album.

CARAVAN GIRL/ Its like Little Bird but uptempo and sung much more happily, it begins with seventies sounding synthesiser before launcing into a drum and piano comibnation with Alisons childlike vocals about a fictional great escape. It has many vocal effects including whistling and layered synthesisers.

MONSTER LOVE/ A heartfelt track, with beautiful words and Alisons flawless vocals, it finishes the album calmly but interestingly with a melodic chorus and electronic pulses before the choruse floods in its heart stopping power 'Everything comes around' it shows the album off leaving us with a narrative that is the genius 'Seventh tree'

Seventh tree is an amazing album by Goldfrapp critics that are of this album don't see how Goldfrapp turned out, they have always been inspired by seventies sounds and vintage synths. This album has more emphasis on melodies in oppose to image, an organic enemy of supernature, it focuses on the folk influences and the grand filmic influence the band shares and their imagery proves idiosyncratic and interesting. Supernature 2 will never happen and Seventh tree is in our hands to love.