Simple Things

• Artist: Zero 7
• Rating:
• Release Date: June 12, 2001
• Genre: Electronica

Review

Forget the rampant labeling of Zero 7 as the "British Air," because Simple Things is a debut album that stands on its own as a chilled, subtle collection of organic songs. There are hints of Air, but there are equally relevant comparisons that might be made with Morcheeba, Rae & Christian, Nightmares on Wax, and early Massive Attack. Indeed, after Morcheeba's overproduced Fragments of Freedom and Rae & Christian's sloppy Sleepwalking, Simple Things picks up the slack in a rewarding manner. Simple Things might just be a gentle Cinderella, a kind stepsister to Massive Attack's dark masterpiece, Mezzanine. It's rare that a post-trip-hop album is so interesting and engrossing, but the duo of Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker mix a number of musical elements, such as soul-influenced diva vocals, gurgling and ringing keyboards, and classical string arrangements, into a relaxing, potent wave of sounds. Though the album starts to meander in its closing tracks, the first 50 minutes are cohesive, vibrant, and calming. Highlights are too numerous to call out, as the duo switches from instrumentals to songs featuring passionate, energized vocals from Mozez, Sia Furler, and Sophie Barker. All three vocalists mingle as perfect matches to the smart arrangements. Twinkling keyboards, barely-there basslines, and acoustic guitars create rolling melodies that never interfere with the task at hand, that of chiseling textured aural atmospheres. Simple Things is an accomplished slice of soulful genius that rewards frequent spins. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
I Have Seen	Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker	Zero 7, Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker	(5:07)
Polaris	Sam Hardaker, Henry Binns	Zero 7, Sam Hardaker, Henry Binns	(4:48)
Destiny	Sam Hardaker, Sophie Barker, Sia Furler, Henry Binns	Sam Hardaker, Henry Binns, Zero 7	(5:37)
Give It Away	Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker	Zero 7, Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker	(5:17)
Simple Things	Sam Hardaker, O.V. Wright, Henry Binns	Sam Hardaker, Zero 7, Henry Binns	(4:24)
Red Dust	Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker	Zero 7, Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker	(5:40)
Distractions (Lyrics)	Sia Furler, Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker	Zero 7, Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker	(5:16)
In the Waiting Line	Henry Binns, Sophie Barker, Sam Hardaker	Henry Binns, Zero 7, Sam Hardaker	(4:32)
Out of Town	Sam Hardaker, Henry Binns, O.V. Wright	Zero 7, Sam Hardaker, Henry Binns	(4:47)
This World	Sam Hardaker, O.V. Wright, Henry Binns	Sam Hardaker, Henry Binns, Zero 7	(5:35)
Likufanele	G Martin, Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker	Henry Binns, Zero 7, Sam Hardaker	(6:11)
End Theme	Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker	Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker, Zero 7	(3:39)
Salt Water Sound [*]	Sophie Barker, Sam Hardaker, Henry Binns	Zero 7	(5:30)
Spinning [*]	Sam Hardaker, Sophie Barker, Henry Binns	Zero 7	(6:03)

Credits

David Litman (Flute), Zero 7 (Remixing), Sophie Barker (Vocals), Henry Binns (Performer), Sam Hardaker (Performer), Jenny Arrel (Percussion), Sally Herbert (Violin), Demus (Engineer), Brilliant Strings (Strings), Zero 7 (Engineer), Graeme Stewart (Trumpet), Maxton G. Beesley, Jr. (Fender Rhodes), Jeremy Stacey (Violin), Zero 7 (Producer), Demus (Mixing), Simon Elms (Trumpet), Miggy Barradas (Drums), Alan Simpson (Guitar), Jeremy Stacey (Drums), Phil Thornalley (Bass), Phil Thornalley (Guitar), Peter Trotman (Bass), Oli Savill (Percussion)

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