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Much the same service is provided by Sophie Barker on "Passing By" and "In Time", which recalls the sweet innocence of early James Taylor. It's left to Sia Furler to add extra colour, her slight rasp lending character to both "Somersault" and "Speed Dial No 2". Throughout, the band introduce a welter of instruments and effects, sometimes approaching the psychedelic, though they're keen to avoid an over-technological coldness--the squeak of finger on guitar string is never far away. For fans of Simple Things, it's a real treat. --Dominic Wills
Review Along with Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns the band have been hailed as Britain's answer to Air, and since their debut, Simple Things, three years ago, they have set the benchmark for all down-tempo albums to follow.
Admittedly, little has changed since then.Their modern day folk melodrama blended with unfussed, warm ambience, subtle touches of analogue electronica and ethereal vocals still stands. Even the same support cast of vocalists have been drafted in to make this feel more like a Part II then a whole new chapter.
The one notable addition is Tina Dico who virtuously embraces the lead single, "Home". Sophie Barker returning to caress the electric guitar strummed "Passing By" and hippy-kissed "In Time", while Sia Furler, who won acclaim for her performance of the group's debut, continues her claim to potential solo stardom on the melancholic "Somersault" and the orchestral climatic "Speed Dial No.2".
Mozez's oak-smoked delivery on a trio of cuts oozes a timeless quality and perfectly compliments the blissed out beats, sharp musicianship, and lazy grooves that epitomises the Zero 7 sound. Best highlighted on the album's closing offering, "Morning Song" - a thickly layered number with smooth, seductive harmonies that effectively drive home the quietly insinuating hook and towards the end even has a Style Council "My Ever Changing Moods"-quality to the melody.
There's really little to choose between songs, and as with Simple Things, this really is a conceptual album that's best viewed as a whole, rather then dissected into edible three-minute radio edits. Yet that won't stop almost every track on this kaleidoscopic soundscape being a candidate for the next twelve months worth of Chill Out collections. Oh, and in answering to your most burning question: is it better than Simple Things? No. But if were not for the lyrics, it would be almost impossible to tell them apart. --Jack Smith
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This album (much like its predecessor) - has that 'can't-put-your-finger-on-it'quality. Something almost unfathomable. You know you like it but you're not sure why. Other reviewers have said they can't take it out of their CD player, and addictive stuff it is because it's so different - as is each track to one another. The use of different vocalists helps (all excellent) but the music itself is such that you never know what's coming next.
Apparently the guys hate being referred to as chill-out specialists, but I don't see that as a criticism. If they keep doing stuff like this, I for one will be happy.
High points? The groovy 'Passing By' and the quirky but almost anthemic 'Speed Dial No.2'.
Lows? None-you'll play it again and again with never a dull moment.
Highly recommended, as is the earlier 'Simple Things' - you may also want to get Bent (sorry!)
The great thing about this album is that it's not entirely different to the first. Yes, it maybe a bit more mature, but that's only a good thing as far as I'm concerned. If you also own Zero7's Another Late Night album, you'll definitely see the influences in When It Falls.
From the very start this album offers melancholic, chilled out sounds, with Speed Dial No.2, The Space Between and Morning Song, being exceptional individual pieces in their own right, along with the previously released single, Home of course.
In fact, this album is so good that the only time I've taken it out of my CD player is after reading the reviews complaining about copy protection - and that was only to copy it! Oh, and yes I have been able to copy it using WMP9 without a problem!
I would definitely recommend this album to anyone, all of my housemates love it, and believe me they're tastes are so different to mine!
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