Track Listing

1. Warm Sound
2. Home
3. Somersault
4. Over Our Heads
5. Passing By
6. When It Falls
7. The Space Between
8. Look Up
9. In Time
10. Speed Dial No. 2
11. Morning Song

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7076 in Music
• Released on: 2004-03-01
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Beautifully crafted and produced, When It Falls is a fitting follow-up to Zero 7's 2001 platinum hit Simple Things. Reintroducing several of their debut's guest vocalists, the band continue to meld subtle orchestras, elegant jazz and easy-going West Coast soul and folk, creating a sound so tasteful it makes Morcheeba sound like Napalm Death. The album opens with the appropriately titled "Warm Sound", where long-time collaborator Mozez delivers his spacey soul over a quivering flute and funky keys. Later he reappears for the string-swept lullaby "Over Our Heads". Next up is newcomer Tina Dico who lends the softest of vocals to "Home", where quietly chiming guitars rise to a careful collision of brass, and "The Space Between", a techno-update of 70s folk-jazz.

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

CD Description
'When It Falls' is the second album from downbeat outfit Zero 7. The album continues in the vein of their debut release'Sinple Things' with a mix of chilled-out downbeat and jazzinfluenced tracks and features guest vocals from Sia Furler, Sophie Barker, Mozez and Tina Dico.

Customer Reviews

Never a dull moment...
Warm, soulful and so damn cool! Metal heads would say downright dull but I beg to differ. Zero 7, much like the excellent Bent have made modern music interesting again. My son is 18, I'm 44 and we both love this stuff.

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!)

If it's not broke...
Following the success of the debut album 'Simple Things' was never going to be easy for Zero 7. And 'When It Falls' doesn't disappoint. Quite simply, if you enjoyed their first album, then you will enjoy its follow up, as wisely, Binns & Hardaker have not veered to far from their successful formula.

'When It Falls' contains all of the lazy beats and swirls of electronica of its predecessor, as well as same vocal talents. Mozez Sophie Barker and Sia Furler return alongside newcomer Tina Dico, each providing an excellent vocal accompaniment to the wonderful warmth of Zero 7's delightful music. My favourite being Sophie Barker's wispy delivery of "I don't want to lose or let you down/Time's just gonna to change itself around" on the acoustic ballad 'In Time'.

The music is melodically resplendent; flutes, acoustic guitars, trumpets, lush string arrangements, Wurlitzer's & Rhode's all combine effortlessly to create a sound that even more unashamedly 'Air'-like than on 'Simple Things'. Binns and Hardaker's talent - very much like Air's duo, JB Dunckel & Nicolas Godin - is that they can create the musical equivalent of an oasis of calm, without it sounding like the tedious background muzak that is more suitable for a shopping centre or an elevator, rather than for playing on your home stereo.

'When It Falls' is beautifully produced and recorded album that is full of the type of music that helps massage away your stresses at the end of the day. Buy it, laze back and enjoy.

warm sounds
I can honestly say, this is a beautiful album. I've owned it for over a year now, and I never get tired of listening to it. The album stirs so many feelings and emotions from track to track. Songs such as "warm sound", are pure sunshine, warm and rich with rasping flutes, that send tingles up my spine. Whereas others such as "home" and "the space between" have darker brooding undertones. The rich combination and diversity of beautiful vocals, gentle strumming, warm trumpets and flute, rolling rhodes organ solo's seem to creep under the skin, and fill your soul.

Although zero 7 are often considered "chill out" they are so much more than that, they are a very talented band, and seeing them live proves it.

Buy the album and give it a chance, because it really is beautiful.