Tree Climbing Tracks
Solid, Goldfrapp find its gentler side.
Goldfrapp
Seventh Tree
Released on Nov 30, -0001
Sans Supernature's sass, Seventh Tree emerges from a kinder, gentler Goldfrapp. It's ambient, it's downtempo, it's mellow - and listeners that like the idea of an effeminate, acoustic approach from the group will value this record. But those wooed by how solidly Goldfrapp pulled off the glammy, distinctly European pastiche in disco-dance tracks like "Ooh La La" and "Satin Chic" from Supernature, however, won't find much to cling to.
Seventh Tree doesn't aim to be disposable, and that's fine - Goldfrapp are versatile enough, it turns out, to turn out something softer and less commercial. The record oscillates between Euro-ethereal and floaty, ponderous songs that (thankfully) avoid being overly introverted. It's rare to find something simultaneously this reflective and whimsical, and we applaud 'frapp's execution here. The gems are easily "Eat Yourself," and "Happiness" - the former a faeried melody that holds charm from its mild lo-fi mixing. In tone and composition, "Happiness" may be the poppiest of the ten track disc, with soft synth interluding between Goldfrapp's wonderful, whispery vocals.
"Caravan Girl" is the other upbeat track, and the closest you'll find to one that resembles a rocky texture. Preceding it is "Cologne Cerrone Houdini" (which we can only hope gains its name after a pungent, magical Mafioso), a good example of the average tone of the rest of the tracks -- light, airy, and backed by some strings and token percussion to build a foundation for Goldfrapp's great voice.
Either way, it's pretty positive, cheerful stuff -- songs that thrive on organic, flowing sounds that sum into something that's ethereal and excellent, but not so up-in-the-clouds and surrealistic that you feel lost. Goldfrapp's vocals keep things grounded, and if the omission of explicit dance tracks doesn't hurt your feelings, Seventh Tree comes well recommended.
High Point
Low Point
Posted by Evan Lahti on Mar 05, 2008 @ 12:00 am