For a while now I’ve been hoping that the real Alison Goldfrapp would be revealed on record following three albums displaying diverse styles. But perhaps with Alison that’s the whole point… Blessed with a quite extraordinary voice (that I’ve witnessed on stage on a couple of occasions) I’ve never really understood where she stands musically, or what she really likes. Listening to SEVENTH TREE I believe that it’s getting closer, with the absence of some of the musical frippery evident on past records.

Opening track ‘Clowns’ is well and truly stripped-down in comparative terms with a strong folk vibe. Yes, there are some lush string moments but there’s also a gently plucked guitar and a fragile vocal that almost sways in the wind. It’s a welcome change although I would have preferred the intrusive orchestral backdrop to have gone walkabout… As if my prayer was (almost) answered the next song ‘Little Bird’ arrives to impress with its lovely lyrics, Beatle-esque ambience, and echo chamber vocal. I say ‘almost’ because the concluding passages go off on a rather messy, loud and unnecessary sonic journey. But it’s still my pick of the album. After the forgettable ‘Happiness’ comes a relatively down-to-earth, simple, gentle ballad called ‘Road To Somewhere’ which I can imagine draped behind some new and expensive perfume commercial. ‘Eat Yourself’ is another stripped-down song where for the first time Alison’s voice can be heard almost without any electronic trickery. It has a subtle blues vibe that seems to suit the singer’s style and although it won’t light fires is pleasant enough. ‘Some People’ is next and once again it starts out with a minimalist feel backed only by wandering piano notes. The choruses see those dreaded noises return but the verses remain simple and direct. Of the remaining three songs ‘Cologne Cerrone Houdini’ is the stand-out with the lady’s voice soaring above the sweeping strings.

I rate this as her best album because one can hear an excellent voice that displays such fluidity, ease and range. However, by my reckoning there are only two or three excellent songs and just not enough to class this album as excellent.

3.5/5