Product 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.

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: #5092 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

Customer Reviews

When it fell
The sophomore slump hits Zero 7 in their second album, "When It Falls." Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns create a fairly pleasant mesh of downtempo jazz and trip-hop ambience, but their major failure is monotony -- there are few highs or lows in this pleasant if unmemorable album.

The mellow montony of the well-named "Warm Sound" sets off the tone of the album, echoed in the vague "Over Our Heads," spacey title track, and mellowly uninviting "In Time." Unfortunately, these are the most likely to send listeners to sleep -- musically, they possess plenty of beauty and sweetness, and have a distinct polish. But they don't have anything that makes you sit up and take notice.

But the less ambient songs display a little more oomph. There are also forays into ambient folkiness in the low-key "Home", the acoustic and the harmonica-electronica of "Look Up." Some pure trip-hop even seeps in with the jazzy "Passing By," with its mellow singing and faint electronica swips and sweeps.

The primary flaw of "When It Falls" is that it neither rises nor falls -- it's more of a straight line with some gentle bumps and dips. It's more downbeat than their debut album, a little more pensive and laid-back. But one particular highlight is the vocals: Sia Furler and Sophie Barker's sensuous voices, as well as the deeper, soulful voice of Mozez.

Zero 7 does well in melding trip-hop and mellow ambience with jazz and folk. If you can wrap your mind around the idea of harmonica and electronica in the same song, it should be right for you. Guitar riffs aren't very impressive. But the string section is the most accomplished and polished, with violins darting in and out of the music against a faint percussion backdrop.

While often relegated to arty makeout music, Zero 7 is pleasant enough, even when not getting cuddly. It's just that in their sophomore album they get a little too mellow for their own good.

And all is Calm...
I think I've had this album for nearly 2 years now. I've heard some of Zero 7's other music in compilations, so I trusted that having the album wouldn't be a waste. And I was right!! The album is very good, if your into your chilled, lazy, calm, 'mood' tunes!!

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.