Zero 7 - Yeah Ghost (2009)
Artist: Zero 7
Album: Yeah Ghost
Label: Atlantic Records
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/zero7official
Genre: Trip Hop / Downtempo
Quality: CBR 192 kbps / 44100 hz / Joint Stereo
Time: 45:12 min
Size: 62,25 MB
Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns return with a fourth album of downtempo instrumental experiments with folk, R’n’B, blues, gospel and groove mix-ups. Whatever they’re working with, Zero 7 always manage to skilfully combine effects to create incredible atmospheres, expertly crafted mixes, and thick, exploratory sounds.
Tracklist:
01. Count Me Out [01:26]
02. Mr. McGee [04:19]
03. Swing [03:57]
04. Everything Up (Zizou) [05:19]
05. Pop Art Blue [04:23]
06. Medicine Man [04:32]
07. Ghost Symbol [04:36]
08. Sleeper [04:39]
09. Solastalgia [01:59]
10. The Road [03:42]
11. All Of Us [06:20]
Review: A great example - and album highlight - is 'Ghost sYMbOL' and as the title suggests, it’s a downright spooky track, its unsettling, ambient sounds combining with deep vocals to match the supernatural and disquieting atmosphere the experimentally mixed-up blips create. 'All Of Us' mixes up contrasting sounds to create an incredible aural scene: homemade drum beats and electronic helicopter stutters and whirrs build to a dramatic upsurge with African-styled choir and a melody of understated bassy piano/strings. Reversed sound samples in the dancey 'Sleeper' give a deep, ominous feel to contrast with the quirky pop vocals and rap which descend into a messed-up crescendo of distorted voices and electronic ray guns carried on beats and claps.
There are some lighter moments though: 'Swing' with its girl-folk vocals, chirpy electric organ, xylophone and hand claps, is sunniness incarnate. Surreal and experimental, 'Solastalgia' has an ethereal sound with choral, spirit-like voice samples, electronic ripples and sustained notes. Then there’s the dark indie buzz of 'Everything Up (Zizou)'; the thickly coated female vocals in 'Pop Art Blue' with Spanish guitar and - at one point - a banjo; and even a gospel choir on 'The Road' creating a stunning, syrupy curtain of sound in this touching hymn-like track.
A wonderful fusion of styles, melodies, samples and voices, Yeah Ghost has a rare cross-genre appeal. This is a great gateway album for a closeted listener to get into different music styles so Zero 7 and their insatiable creativity can be heartily recommended.
Try & BUY!!!