BBC Review 1bj6o
Following two fantastic albums full of warm, supine and easily loveable songs, the...
Paul Sullivan 2002
Following two fantastic albums full of warm, supine and easily loveable songs, the duo's third LP at last heralds a slightly new direction.
It's not quite the rock star u-turn made by Air a short while ago, but The Garden does showcases a generally more upbeat sound.
Vocals this time around are taken care of by long time cohort Sia and José the guy from that bouncy ball ad Gonzalez. The contrast between the folky Gonzalez (who supplies four tracks, including a reworking of his own fantastic "Crosses") and the more soulful, upbeat Sia (who guests on three tracks) introduces an interesting contrast, especially Gonzalez who brings some less usual sultriness to the Zero 7 grooves.
There are plenty of links back to previous work of course the usual run of warm synths, Francophile pop melodies, subtle world music influences but in general the band have asserted themselves a little more. They sound all the better for it.
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