Track Listing

1. I Have Seen
2. Polaris
3. Destiny
4. Give It Away
5. Simple Things
6. Red Dust
7. Distractions
8. In The Waiting Line
9. Out Of Town
10. This World
11. Likufanele
12. End Theme
13. Salt Water Sound
14. Spinning

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2591 in Music
• Released on: 2001-11-13
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
2001 debut full length for dance act described as, 'the British Air', the follow-up to two limited, critically acclaimed EPs. Highlights include the awesome African influenced instrumental passage 'Likufanele', the velvety 'I Have Seen' feat. Mozez & the quiet storm of 'Destiny' feat. Sia. Quango.

Amazon.com
Zero 7's ability to conjure beautiful lullabies with all the romance of 1960s French pop (as found on their debut LP, Simple Things) would have made them the toast of soundtrack composers and chill-out connoisseurs the world over. Unfortunately, two Frenchmen beat Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker to the title of "masters of comedown cool," leaving the London duo to be forever called "the British Air." And this is fair; the similarities between Zero 7's lush cinematic soundscapes and those of Air's Moon Safari and the Virgin Suicides score are so strong as to sound almost intentional. Nonetheless, their debut is a truly gorgeous album. It has all the tried and tested atmospheric tricks--bleeps and whooshes layered over plodding Fender Rhodes chords, swathes of strings and tender trumpet parps--but it's Binns and Hardaker's languid grooves and the soft melancholy of their melodies that make dream-state instrumentals "Give It Away" and "Polaris" utterly enchanting. The real power of Simple Things, however, is in its songs. As beautiful as the ambient strains are, when laid beneath the seductive vocals of Australian diva Sia on the ethereal "Destiny" or the heart-breaking "Distractions," their potency becomes apparent. --Dan Gennoe

From URB Magazine
While Zero 7 may have garnered accolades with the UK audience and music press by touching their magic musical wands to Radiohead, Terry Callier and Lenny Kravitz tracks - all variables factoring into a coveted Mercury Prize nomination and other awards for Simple Things - they've been patiently waiting for Americans to chill out to debut their album stateside. And in a time of rattled nerves, this might be the right moment.

Zero 7 (comprised of longtime North Londoner friends Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns) became the talk of the town with their sexy, contemplative "Distractions" last year. It gave those who relish the astral, dreamy, blanketing sounds of bands such as Air a glimpse into their virtuosic production talents, which are reflected in the cinematic nature of each song. What results is a tangible familiarity, though this could also be due to the fact that Quincy Jones, Charles Stepney and Ray Charles are the duo's reference points.

Simple Things leaves no visible seams, whether it be the jump from the instrumental, jangly "Give It Away" to the quick-footed Rhodes guitar responding to Mozez's vocals on the title track. Zero 7's best asset is Sia Furler, who takes memorable songs ("Destiny," "Distraction") to their elaborate potentials with a voice that melts metal. A major gripe can be that this genteel album is just too eager to please all types of listeners, but Simple Things' key is fixing you into such a warm and comforting place that you can't muster enough anger to protest.

Phuong-Cac Nguyen

Customer Reviews

No great musicianship, but an interesting voyage.
Simple Things is exactly that. You won't find instrumental virtuousity here. As a musician friend of mine commented after hearing it, there is a lot of very simple "noodling" going on. So, if you're looking for complex jazz or performances for the ages, don't look here. What you will find, however, are interesting aural subtleties, well-crafted pop songs, and some nice vocals. It's better than background music, but not quite the kind of album that holds up terribly well beyond the very simple pleasures it provides. Sometimes, you need just that. Plus, there is an honesty to the lyrics that is refreshing. I find myself going back to this album time and time again, and that may be the biggest reason for the four star rating.

Tragic Angels & A Moon Safari
Simple Things is quite simply one of the best debuts I've ever heard. The vocals are soft yet purposeful, and the lyrics are often quite inspired. Sia's beautiful voice is ethereal on the simply beautiful "Distractions" & "Destiny". It brought her fantastic Healing Is Difficult out of the doldrums of my CD collection.

It's easy to see where Zero 7 has taken much of their inspiration. There are definite similarities to Air (although it remains easy to tell the two apart) as well as Groove Armada and Fatboy Slim. Don't let the Fatboy Slim confuse you - this is by no means a dance album. This is almost an anti-dance album - the kind of thing you put on when you're very tired / drunk / stressed / angry (delete as appropriate).

It would be impossible to pick out any personal favorites (I love every track), but the real stand out tracks are "In The Waiting Line", "Destiny", "Distractions" and the largely underrated "End Theme".

If you're in a party mood, by all means, don't put this CD on. It will definitely not help build the atmosphere, but makes a perfect comedown disc. It's difficult, however, not to try and vigorously enforce this great new band on all your friends. I can't wait for the next chapter of the story.

Easily addictive, this is my first must-have of 2002. Can't say fairer than that, really...

This cd manages to sound classic and yet completely new
Zero 7 has a sound that to my ears, has strong elements of laid-back Seventies groups yet is completely rooted in today's smooth jazz genre. They combine seamless harmony and a relaxed tempo with guitar and synthesized instrumentals for a sound that is unique, but shows its origins with grace and humor. Not everyone is happy with the mix: the vocals have been compared to cloying "lite R&B" but this is a matter of taste, since folks over the decades have pretty much shown the music world that smooth vocals are what they want, and plenty of it. The vocals are hypnotic; either the fluid female duo sound of Sia Furler and Sophie Barker, or the male vocalist Mozez, whose husky ballads could get him nominated as the next Seal or even "let's get lovin'" Barry White replacement--not for his range but for the effect he has on the listener.

The prize here may be the spacey instrumentals, a clever blend of real drums and base mixed with electric keyboard and synthesizer. If you are a fan of smooth jazz such as Sade, you will probably enjoy this album. If you have't found anything you like in music since Kenny G, maybe this could find you a new groove. Sexy stuff.