When It Falls

by Zero 7

Overview

Downbeat acts proceed down the middle of the road at their own peril. While such a path may guarantee them a lucrative career in Starbucks outlets and on crossover compilations, the onset of advanced musicianship and mature songwriting often comes at the expense of artistic ability (see the steady downward fall of Groove Armada for an example). Zero 7, one of the few acts following in the wake of Air that had the talent to match, debuted with a record (Simple Things) that featured some of the warmest, most mellifluous tracks heard in electronic music since Moon Safari. When It Falls, their second record, finds the duo largely sticking to the same formula, with all the sinewy basslines and languorous vocals that follow along. As before, Zero 7 is more of a band than most downbeat acts, with credits for bass, guitar, and drums plus keyboards, brass, flute, and strings. Much of the record is nearly perfect downbeat, and the productions of Zero 7 main men Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns mesh perfectly with the instrumentation -- so well, in fact, that the record threatens to sink into a nether region of pop music that's both flawless and harmless, more adult alternative than electronic pop. There's nothing wrong with that prospect, but when a downbeat act begins to emulate a pop act, the situation practically demands developed songs and tighter hooks. Unfortunately, only a few tracks here meet those criteria. Fortunately, though, they are beautiful indeed. On "Home," new addition Tina Dico summons the downy, pastoral yearning that's become de rigueur for downbeat female vocalists, and the returning Sia Furler shines on a track ("Somersault") that's simultaneously spacy and down-home. Sophie Barker, the star of Simple Things' "Destiny," returns for "In Time," one of the sweetest tracks Zero 7 has ever produced. The rest of the record, however, possesses very few of the unburnished edges needed by albums with character or personality. When It Falls reaches a nadir of sorts on "The Space Between," a pleasant song that unfortunately descends into self-parody over the course of its six minutes -- two minutes of which are taken up by an overripe harmonica solo. ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	08/16/2019
Label:	New State
UPC:	0885012036434
Rank:	35561

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Zero 7   Primary Artist
Gerard Presencer   Guest Artist,Brass,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Alan Simpson   Guitar (Acoustic)
Sally Herbert   Violin
Jeremy Stacey   Drums
Neil Cowley   Clavinet,Wurlitzer,Fender Rhodes
Robin Mullarkey   Bass
Sia   Vocals
Adam Glasser   Harmonica
Tina Dico   Vocals
Nigel Godrich   Guitar
Yvonne John Lewis   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Crispin Taylor   Drums
Brilliant Strings   Strings
Barnaby Dickinson   Trombone
Siobhan Lamb   Flute
Dan Lipman   Flute
Eddie Stevens   Organ (Hammond),Moog Synthesizer
Dedi Madden   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Peter Trotman   Bass

Technical Credits

Sally Herbert   Leader
O.V. Wright   Composer
Sophie Barker   Composer
Henry Binns   Composer
Zero 7   Producer
Sam Hardaker   Composer
Sia   Composer
Nigel Godrich   Sounds,Composer
Gerard Presencer   Brass Arrangement,Woodwind Arrangement
D. Madden   Composer