Seventh Tree

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2008 studio album by Goldfrapp

title: "Seventh Tree" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2008-albums", "albums-produced-by-flood-(producer)", "downtempo-albums", "dream-pop-albums-by-english-artists", "folktronica-albums", "goldfrapp-albums", "mute-records-albums"] description: "2008 studio album by Goldfrapp" topic_path: "arts/music" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh_Tree" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 2008 studio album by Goldfrapp ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox album"]

FieldValue
nameSeventh Tree
typestudio
artistGoldfrapp
coverGoldfrapp - Seventh Tree.png
altAlison Goldfrapp in a black pirate hat and white dress, looking over her shoulder into the camera
released
recorded2006–2007
genre* Folktronica
* ambient<ref name"avclub"/
* downtempo<ref name"avclub"/
* dream pop<ref name"popmatters2008"/
length41:41
labelMute
producer* Alison Goldfrapp
prev_titleWe Are Glitter
prev_year2006
next_titleiTunes Originals: Goldfrapp
next_year2008
misc{{Extra album cover
headerAlternative cover
typestudio
coverGoldfrapp - Seventh Tree (special edition).png
captionSpecial edition cover
nameSeventh Tree
typestudio
single1A&E
single1date11 February 2008
single2Happiness
single2date14 April 2008
single3Caravan Girl
single3date30 June 2008
single4Clowns
single4date20 October 2008
::

| name = Seventh Tree | type = studio | artist = Goldfrapp | cover = Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree.png | alt = Alison Goldfrapp in a black pirate hat and white dress, looking over her shoulder into the camera | released = | recorded = 2006–2007 | studio =

Seventh Tree is the fourth studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 22 February 2008 by Mute Records. It was named after a dream Alison Goldfrapp had about a "very large tree". Taking inspiration from paganism and surreal English children's books, Goldfrapp described the album as a "sensual counterpoint to the glitterball glamour of Supernature", their previous studio album from 2005.

Seventh Tree became the duo's most critically acclaimed album since their 2000 debut Felt Mountain, with critics praising their new sound and their bravery for abandoning the dance atmosphere of their previous two albums. The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart with 46,945 copies sold in its first week.

Four singles were released from the album. "A&E" was released as the lead single on 11 February 2008, peaking at number 10 on the UK singles chart. The album's second single, "Happiness", peaked at number 25 on the UK chart, while the third single, "Caravan Girl", reached number 54. "Clowns" was released as the fourth and final single, charting at number 115 in the UK.

Background

The band were inspired by an acoustic radio session they had performed, which led the duo to incorporate acoustic guitars into their music to create "warm" and "delicate" sounds. They began writing and recording the album at the end of 2006 in Bath, England.

Critical reception

| MC = 78/100 | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = | rev2 = The A.V. Club | rev2score = A− | rev3 = MusicOMH | rev3score = | rev4 = NME | rev4score = 6/10 | rev5 = The Observer | rev5score = | rev6 = Pitchfork | rev6score = 4.6/10 | rev7 = PopMatters | rev7score = 8/10 | rev8 = Rolling Stone | rev8score = | rev9 = Slant Magazine | rev9score = | rev10 = Uncut | rev10score =

Seventh Tree received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 78, based on 32 reviews. Barney Hoskyns of The Observer commented that the duo "have made an album as hummably lovely as it is knowingly referencing of a certain tradition of neo-psychedelic English whimsy." Genevieve Koski of The A.V. Club noted that the album is "buoyed by an underlying pop sensibility, epitomized by the bubbly 'A&E;' and 'Caravan Girl'", concluding, "After the group's hit-or-miss synth-pop detour, Seventh Tree situates Goldfrapp where it was always meant to be." John Murphy of MusicOMH viewed it as Goldfrapp's "most subtle, affecting and rewarding album to date" and compared it to Kate Bush and the Cocteau Twins. At AllMusic, Heather Phares praised the album's "electro hippie-chic" as the duo's "most polished and luxe work yet". John Lewis of Uncut called it "brave, bonkers, often beautiful, sometimes haunting and occasionally ridiculous". ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Smiling..._(2425821936).jpg" caption="Goldfrapp performing in April 2008"] ::

Adrien Begrand of PopMatters found that Seventh Tree "might be a quieter and more introspective disc than we'd been expecting, but this is still a quintessential Goldfrapp album with Gregory's arrangements brilliantly underscoring the inimitable vocal versatility of his female foil." Despite being critical of Alison Goldfrapp's "wispy, ethereal, often impenetrable vocal approach", Dave Hughes of Slant Magazine opined that the album is "most compelling for the way in which the band's regained austerity and naturalism contrasts with their more recent hedonism." Kat Lister of NME expressed that "Seventh Tree is bound to ruffle a few electro-feathered fans, but there's no denying it's a venture that sets the pair into new experimental territory." In a mixed review, *Rolling Stone*s Christian Hoard felt that the "slow pace can be a snooze", but wrote that the album "still makes for good post-party chill-out music". Nate Patrin of Pitchfork was less impressed, stating that the album's ambience is "so subtle and slow-moving it doesn't seem to go anywhere, and it coasts on some frothy sense of pleasantness that evaporates the moment the song ends."

Q magazine ranked the album at number 19 on its list of The 50 Best Albums of 2008. PopMatters placed it at number 54 on its list of The Best Albums of 2008. Ben Rayner of the Toronto Star included the album on his list of "rock music that stuck in 2008".

Commercial performance

Seventh Tree debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, selling 46,945 copies in its first week. It was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) within four days of release, on 29 February 2008. As of March 2010, the album had sold 200,062 copies in the United Kingdom. The album reached the top 10 in Belgium and Ireland, and the top 20 in Australia, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland.

Seventh Tree became Goldfrapp's second release to chart on the Billboard 200 in the United States, where it debuted at number 48 with first-week sales of 15,000 copies. As of December 2009, it had sold 59,000 copies in the United States. The album also peaked at number 28 on the Canadian Albums Chart.

Special edition

A special edition of Seventh Tree was released on 3 November 2008, featuring new album artwork, photographs and a DVD. The album artwork depicted Goldfrapp dressed as a clown and hugging a tree, as well as Gregory dressed as an owl. The DVD contained music videos, behind-the-scenes footage and several live performances filmed at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea in June 2008.

Track listing

| all_writing = Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory | title1 = Clowns | length1 = 4:08 | title2 = Little Bird | length2 = 4:25 | title3 = Happiness | length3 = 4:17 | title4 = Road to Somewhere | length4 = 3:52 | title5 = Eat Yourself | length5 = 4:06 | title6 = Some People | length6 = 4:40 | title7 = A&E | length7 = 3:18 | title8 = Cologne Cerrone Houdini | length8 = 4:26 | title9 = Caravan Girl | length9 = 4:05 | title10 = Monster Love | length10 = 4:23 | total_length = 41:41

| headline = Digital edition bonus tracks | title11 = Clowns | note11 = instrumental | length11 = 4:11 | title12 = You Never Know | note12 = live in London | length12 = 3:50

| headline = Limited edition bonus DVD | title1 = A Short Film | length1 = 10:34 | title2 = A&E | note2 = music video | length2 = 3:39

| headline = Special edition bonus DVD | title1 = Clowns (instrumental) / Behind the scenes | note1 = live at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea | length1 = 3:46 | title2 = Happiness | note2 = live at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea | length2 = 4:43 | title3 = You Never Know | note3 = live at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea | length3 = 4:14 | title4 = Caravan Girl | note4 = live at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea | length4 = 4:56 | title5 = Monster Love | note5 = live at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea | length5 = 4:32 | title6 = Little Bird | note6 = live at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea | length6 = 7:12 | title7 = A&E | note7 = music video | length7 = 3:39 | title8 = Happiness | note8 = music video | length8 = 3:38 | title9 = Caravan Girl | note9 = music video | length9 = 3:42 | title10 = Clowns | note10 = TV performance | length10 = 4:10 | title11 = Road to Somewhere | note11 = TV performance | length11 = 3:50

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Seventh Tree.

Goldfrapp

Additional musicians

  • Nick Ingman – string orchestration, string conducting
  • Everton Nelson – string leader
  • Aidan Love – additional programming (tracks 2, 8, 10); keys (track 8)
  • Nick Batt – additional drum programming (tracks 4, 7)
  • Max Dingle – additional drum programming (track 8)
  • Richard Evans – guitars (track 10)
  • Steve Evans – acoustic guitar (track 7)
  • Flood – keys (tracks 3, 7, 9); guitar (track 7)
  • Chris Goulstone – drum samples (track 9); guitars (track 10)
  • Tony Hoffer – bass (track 9)
  • Charlie Jones – bass (tracks 2, 3, 8, 10); twang bass (track 9)
  • Alex Lee – acoustic guitar (tracks 1, 8, 9); electric guitar, bass (track 5); Nashville guitar (track 2)
  • Justin Meldal-Johnsen – bass (tracks 6, 7)
  • Kit Morgan – acoustic guitar (track 1)
  • Andrew Murphy – acoustic guitar (track 1)
  • Damon Reece – drums (tracks 2, 3, 9); percussion (track 3)
  • Simon Rogers – Indian guitar (track 4)
  • Adrian Utley – fuzz bass, fuzz guitar (track 9)
  • Ruth Wall – harp samples (tracks 4, 7)
  • Denny Weston Jr. – drums (tracks 6, 7)
  • Metro Voices – choir (tracks 3, 5, 9)
  • Jenny O'Grady – choir master (tracks 3, 5, 9)
  • Strings (tracks 1, 2, 4–6, 8, 10)
    • Everton Nelson, Jackie Shave, Boguslaw Kostecki, Ann Morfee, Chris Tombling, Mark Berrow, Cathy Thompson, Debbie Widdup, Alexander Bălănescu, Stephen Morris, Chris Clad, Tom Pigott-Smith, Dermot Crehan, Sonia Slany, Joanathan Rees, Patrick Kiernan – violin
    • Jon Thorne, Peter Lale, Andy Parker, Katie Wilkinson, Chris Pitsilides – viola
    • David Daniels, Cathy Giles, Chris Worsey, Melissa Phelps, Robin Firman, Paul Kegg – cello
    • Mary Scully, Paddy Lannigan – double bass

Technical

  • Alison Goldfrapp – recording, production (all tracks); mixing (track 8)
  • Will Gregory – recording, production (all tracks); mixing (track 8)
  • Flood – co-production (tracks 3, 5–7, 9); additional production (tracks 1, 2, 4, 8, 10); mixing (track 7); additional stems mixing (track 9)
  • Tony Hoffer – mixing (tracks 1–6, 9, 10); overdub engineering (tracks 6, 7, 9)
  • Bill Mims – mixing assistance (tracks 1–6, 9, 10); overdub engineering (tracks 6, 7, 9)
  • Tim Oliver – additional engineering, additional recording
  • Jonathan Allen – strings recording
  • Stephen Marshall – strings recording assistance
  • Stephen Marcussen – mastering

Artwork

  • Alison Goldfrapp – art direction, owl drawing
  • Mat Maitland – art direction, design
  • Serge Leblon – photography
  • Cathy Edwards – art direction

Charts

Weekly charts

::data[format=table title="Weekly chart performance for ''Seventh Tree''"] | Chart (2008) | Peak position | Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan) | European Albums (Billboard) | |---|---|---|---| | 28 | | | | | 5 | | | | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table title="Year-end chart performance for ''Seventh Tree''"]

Chart (2008)PositionUK Albums (OCC)
86
::

Certifications

Release history

::data[format=table title="Release dates and formats for ''Seventh Tree''"]

RegionDateFormatEditionLabelRef(s)AustraliaFranceGermanyUnited KingdomUnited StatesJapanGermanyUnited Kingdom
22 February 2008CDStandardVirgin
25 February 2008Digital downloadMute
Labels
CD + DVDLimited
StandardMute
CD + DVDLimited
Standard
CD + DVDLimited
26 February 2008Standard
27 February 2008CDEMI
31 October 2008CD + DVDSpecialMute
3 November 2008
::

Notes

References

References

  1. Allen, Jeremy. (5 September 2013). "Goldfrapp – 'Tales of Us'". [[NME]].
  2. Reno, Brad. "Goldfrapp". [[Trouser Press]].
  3. Kreps, Daniel. (13 December 2007). "Goldfrapp Talk Lush February Album "Seventh Tree"".
  4. (15 February 2008). "New Goldfrapp album inspired by 'surreal English children's books'". NME.
  5. (30 October 2007). "Goldfrapp to release 'Seventh Tree'". NME.
  6. (10 March 2001). "Goldfrapp {{!}} full Official Chart History". [[Official Charts Company]].
  7. Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK (1994–2010): Gina G – GZA".
  8. Ayers, Michael D.. (10 December 2007). "Goldfrapp Quiets Down On 'Seventh Tree'".
  9. "Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp Reviews and Tracks". [[Metacritic]].
  10. Hoskyns, Barney. (17 February 2008). "Seventh Tree, Goldfrapp". [[The Observer]].
  11. Koski, Genevieve. (25 February 2008). "Goldfrapp: ''Seventh Tree''". [[The A.V. Club]].
  12. Murphy, John. (25 February 2008). "Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree". [[MusicOMH]].
  13. Phares, Heather. "Seventh Tree – Goldfrapp". [[AllMusic]].
  14. Lewis, John. (20 February 2008). "Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree".
  15. Begrand, Adrien. (27 February 2008). "Goldfrapp: Seventh Tree". PopMatters.
  16. Hughes, Dave. (26 February 2008). "Review: Goldfrapp, ''Seventh Tree''". [[Slant Magazine]].
  17. Lister, Kat. (21 February 2008). "Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree". NME.
  18. Hoard, Christian. (6 March 2008). "Seventh Tree : Goldfrapp".
  19. Patrin, Nate. (25 February 2008). "Goldfrapp: Seventh Tree".
  20. (January 2009). "The 50 Best Albums of 2008".
  21. (19 December 2008). "The Best Albums of 2008". [[PopMatters]].
  22. Rayner, Ben. (28 December 2008). "The rock music that stuck in 2008". [[Toronto Star]].
  23. Jones, Alan. (3 March 2008). "Mother's Day boosts album sales". [[Music Week]].
  24. (27 March 2010). "Key Releases: 27.03.10.". Music Week.
  25. Hasty, Kathy. (5 March 2008). "Janet Dethrones Jack To Top Billboard 200".
  26. Prince, David J.. (1 December 2009). "Goldfrapp Diving 'Head First' Into New Album".
  27. Thompson, Paul. (17 September 2008). "Goldfrapp Issue ''Seventh Tree'' Special Edition". Pitchfork.
  28. "Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp". [[iTunes Store]].
  29. "Seventh Tree: Goldfrapp: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.
  30. "Seventh Tree (Deluxe CD/DVD)". Amazon.
  31. "Seventh Tree [CD+DVD Set]". Amazon.
  32. (2008). "Seventh Tree". [[Mute Records]].
  33. Williams, John. (5 March 2008). "Johnson gets knocked from No. 1".
  34. (15 March 2008). "Hits of the World".
  35. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2008". Official Charts Company.
  36. "Seventh Tree – Goldfrapp". [[JB Hi-Fi]].
  37. "Seventh Tree (2008) {{!}} Goldfrapp".
  38. "Seventh tree – Goldfrapp". [[Fnac]].
  39. "Goldfrapp".
  40. "Seventh tree – Inclus DVD bonus – Goldfrapp". Fnac.
  41. "Seventh Tree". Amazon.
  42. "Goldfrapp".
  43. "Seventh Tree (CD+DVD)". Amazon.
  44. "Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree". [[Mute Records]] UK.
  45. "Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree". Mute Records North America.
  46. "Seventh Tree (2008) {{!}} Goldfrapp".
  47. link. [[EMI Music Japan]]
  48. "Seventh Tree (Special Edition)".

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