The Garden
by Zero 7
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jun 6, 2006
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29

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  1. MatthewMM
    Feb 6, 2021
    9
    The pitchfork rated this as 3.2 which is just an uneducated stab by an imbecile.
  2. justined
    Feb 3, 2007
    10
    Absolutely wonderful and inspiring!
  3. dl
    Jul 17, 2006
    10
    superb album, amazing (and beautiful) sounds.
  4. DanD
    Jul 5, 2006
    10
    Zero 7 took a turn towards peppier with The Garden, their third release, but it's still as tasty as Simple Things and When It Falls.
  5. acet
    Jun 18, 2006
    8
    Refreshing new album for summer. Takes me back to the days of driving around in my dad's Lincon listening to Fleetwood Mac on the 8 track, with the windows rolled down while taking in the sights on the highway, circa 1982.The sounds and sensations are simmilar.
  6. KenJ
    Jun 11, 2006
    8
    Suprisingly good. Beautiful music and easy to listen to
  7. MattD.
    Jun 9, 2006
    7
    Just a good CD for chilling out - not much more. It's a little better than the solo album from Sia.
  8. PhilG
    Jun 9, 2006
    10
    After their first great album, and second great, but similarly structured album, "The Garden" is Zero 7's first amazing album, moving their music career in a new direction. This direction is still beautifully plush and atmospheric, stimulating your sensual mood. But, what differs on "The Garden" is their formula. Subtract some of Zero 7's more typical downtempo elements After their first great album, and second great, but similarly structured album, "The Garden" is Zero 7's first amazing album, moving their music career in a new direction. This direction is still beautifully plush and atmospheric, stimulating your sensual mood. But, what differs on "The Garden" is their formula. Subtract some of Zero 7's more typical downtempo elements (Becoming a bore over time as numerous groups copy and paste it over and over again) and add in interesting elements of classic soul. There is a 70's feel to it, which is socially conscious. While I salute downtempo groups who are so damn cool (Air) and while it hurts me to see downtempo groups become stagnant and repetative (Theivery), "The Garden" places Zero 7 as the most interesting.… Expand
  9. Tuwhitt
    Jun 7, 2006
    7
    Leaps and Bounds better than their lackluster second effort. This cd is more like Simple Things, yet at the same time different. The sound and feel is consistantly interesting, and this time there are a few more instrumentals than When it Falls had. Overall a great chill album.
  10. GreggG
    Jun 7, 2006
    8
    Excellent...a wonderful new direction, sounds more CSNY than Portishead.
  11. wilkesb
    Jun 7, 2006
    10
    "Throw It All Away" was my favorite song initially, but now I'm not so sure. I already like this one better than "When It Falls," better than "Simple Things" though?? No Tina Dico, but her solo album is awesome. Cop the new Sia album too.
  12. ScottF
    Jun 6, 2006
    8
    It's pretty funky, Zero 7 fans know what to expect and this does not disappoint.

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. Dot Music
    80
    A quirky lo-fi wonder or the best album the '70s never had, "The Garden" feels like a lost gem, discovered in a box in the attic; a forgotten masterpiece full of tantalising sounds, odd voices and tingling ideas.
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  2. musicOMH.com
    80
    Another superb Zero 7 album.
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  3. NOW Magazine
    80
    It feels like a bunch of friends jamming on a farm, even if there are still a few electronica elements here and there.
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