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Upcoming Release Calendar
80
American Music Club Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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Seventh Tree
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The British group's fourth album was produced by the duo and Flood.
| LABEL: | Mute |
| RELEASE DATE: | 26 February 2008 |
| DISCS: | 1 disc |
| GENRE(S): | Electronic |
NOTES: Original UK release 25 Feb 2008.
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 44 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Bobby K gave it a2:
I agree with Kyle G -- this album is boring. Allison's voice ends up sounding like a pillow for most of it. Even the slower Felt Mountain featured some vocal acrobatics. Here, she just plods along.
KG FReeze gave it a9:
Best record I've heard this year thus far. Better than Malkmus and that's saying something. Now remember, listening to this means - gasp - sitting down with a good set of speakers, pulling out the booklet and LISTENING to it. Don't have close to that much patience? Don't bother. If you love the craft, you'll love it. And I'm not talking about the movie.
Ray E. gave it a9:
I heard a lot of bad things about this album, but I went out and bought it anyways and I'm glad that i did. Goldfrapp effectively inserts her remote, mysterious, emotionally empty glam-trip-hop persona into a genre where its presence seems antithetical: laid back singersongwriting. Very nice. Buy it and listen to it while you chill or do work. Don't listen to the haters.
Ed D. gave it a10:
This is Goldfrapp for adults... You see I understand the evolution of Goldfrap this way: Felt Mountain - a pretentious 20something full of big books and big Ideas the he/she doesn't understand but feels compelled to speak about them with airs of superiority because he/she is in love with the contents of their own mind. (my reaction: Oooh, you're so cute! Now shuddup and lets f*ck!) Black Cherry – reaching the late 20s he/she suddenly realizes that sexuality and intellect intersect at co-ordinates far away from “knowledge”. In fact, realizing that intellect and sex are about sexual power-plays (where, when done correctly, there are no losers) he/she proceeds to explore the dark and naughty side. (my reaction: Oooh, you’re so dirty! Now shuddup and lets f*ck!) Supernature – a decade after entering the sexual awakening he/she has developed “skillz” in the ‘ol sac and is now full of confidence. Realizing the power he/she now possesses - the sex is fully on display; challenging all comers! (my reaction: Oooh, you’re so hot! Now shuddup and lets f*ck!) 7th Tree – years at the top of the game have had a profound effect. Recognizing the complexities of the human condition and the beauty of life he/she no longer wants to put the sexuality on display. A humility, which can only come from a deep understanding, is now the dominant trait. (my reaction: I’m so in love with you! I always will be...the reply back: Shuddup and lets f*ck!)
Joao C. gave it an8:
Great album from the british duo that moves away from the direction that "Black Cherry" and "Supernature" indicated, without losing their identity. The album is a great addition to their career thus far and showcases beautiful songs that Alison Goldfrapp embodies perfectly.
Kyle G gave it a2:
I dunno.....I really liked the last few efforts from Goldfrapp. Played them to death actually. With this new one though, they seem to have committed the greatest sin you can in music. This record is boring. I have listened to it about 10 times after reading that you have to "give it a few listens to truly get it" but I don't get it. To me it's snooze inducing and I generally enjoy softer deliberate music. Let's go back to the fun, exotic and interesting Goldfrapp sound that you cruelly bated us with before effectively putting us to sleep.
Mark K gave it a9:
Goldfrapp's fourth album Seventh Tree arrives with high expectations after the relatively disappointing by-the-numbers dance focused Supernature. It's not that Supernature was a bad album, the problem is that it was the follow up to the electro masterpiece Black Cherry and paled in comparison. What makes Goldfrapp an interesting musical act is their ability to make a odd, deconstructed melody into likable, but still odd, pop. Many predicted that the fourth album out of Goldfrapp would delve more into the mainstream after they had successful hits with Ooh La La and Fly Me Away (used in numerous commercial and campaigns). However, Seventh Tree is a complete retreat away from the electronic underground dance that spiraled Goldfrapp into semi-popularity. Cold synth landscapes have been replaced with warm strings and acoustic guitars. Alison's lyrics toy with the topics of self-harm, cults, and love (lost, of course) and are generally more memorable than most of her previous songwriting excursions. Although Seventh Tree may be viewed as the success to Goldfrapp's mellow, spacy first album Felt Mountain, Seventh Tree is only similar in tempo. Rather than being Portishead in-the-key-of James Bond theme songs, Seventh Tree plays with 60's & 70's rock-pop (Caravan Girl, Happiness), electro-folk (Little Bird, A&E), and string balladry (Road To Somewhere, Some People). Easily Goldfrapp's second best album behind Black Cherry, Seventh Tree is a moody, fussy, and beautiful ride.

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