Zero 7: The Garden
Zero 7 have a rejig of The Garden
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Monday, 12, Nov 2007 03:17
Atlantic Records, out now.
In a nutshell...
Quirky, experimental, chilled out, upbeat, leftfield
What's it all about?
This collection of tracks features remixes of Zero 7's third album, The Garden. Among them are previously unreleased remixes courtesy of J Dilla, Block 16 and Dabre. A remix of Today produced by Pepe Braddock, the Metronomy remix of Futures and Justus Koncke's vox mix of You're My Flame also features.
The Garden was recorded in the Somerset countryside - you can almost feel the laidback surroundings imbued in the soundtrack - as well as The Hospital Studio in London, and features vocals from Jose Gonzales, Sia Furler and even Zero 7's own Henry Binns.
The tone of The Garden is already a slight veer away from their first two albums - this album of remixes takes Zero 7's sound further and adds a refreshing new element. Never ones to shy away from the unusual and undefined, this group of remixes offers experimental tunes reminiscent of Orbital's work with Today (Pepe Braddock mix), and deep bass lines alongside Jose Gonzales' resonating vocals in Futures (Block 16).
Who's it by?
Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns are the masterminds behind the breathtaking Zero 7,
Zero 7's debut album, Simple Things was released in 2001 to critical acclaim. With tracks, such as Destiny and In the Waiting Line and vocal collaborations with Mozez, Sia Furler, and Sophie Barker, they soon became known for their laid-back, finely produced sound and sultry vocals.
This was followed by the sublime When It Falls in 2004, which firmly established Zero 7's soulful sound. The Garden (2006), from which these remixes originate, followed to an unfortunately mixed critical response.
As an example...
"Well do you see/The futures' holidays are for me/Just let me know/Where we go after the fall." - Futures
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
The Garden was nominated for a 2007 Grammy Award in the category Best Electronic/Dance Album but lost out to Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor.
This album of remixes might not get them there this time round, but as a soundtrack to an after-party, it would be perfectly placed.
What the others say
"That big coat has been hung up in the wardrobe, you're starting to drink cider instead of your usual pint of Guinness and everywhere you look there are adverts about the World Cup. Summer must be around the corner and what better soundtrack could there be to mark the onset of all those long hot days than a new album from Zero 7." - MusicOMH.com
"... The Garden, the group's third record, might be enough to cause most of Zero 7's original fans to jump ship... "- Prefixmag.com (June '06)
" It's not quite the rock star u-turn made by Air a short while ago, but The Garden does showcases a generally more upbeat sound." - BBC.co.uk Dance Review
So is it any good?
The Garden received diverse reviews when it was released last year. The pervading sense of disappointment among many critics that Zero 7 had discarded some of their smooth and mellow beats for some kind of 'synth pop' will only be exacerbated by this remix album.
But to shun this album would be to do it a disservice, in a similar way that call to Zero 7 merely 'chill-out' or 'background music' is vastly missing the point. Although keeping with the laid-back vibe, this selection of remixes provides a fresh perspective on an already stunning album. Experimental rather than exciting, more interesting than groundbreaking; this album of remixes and rarities is probably one for the established fans rather than the completely uninitiated coming to Zero 7 for the first time. Though why there is still anyone out there who is new to Zero 7 is anyone's guess...
6/10
Nova Maxwell